Restrictions on trade in goods and services across geographic boundaries and within China have long been some of the biggest obstacles to foreign investors' success in the country. China's commitments as part of its 2001 World Trade Organization (WTO) entry package included pledges to open these activities to foreign firms. But only this year has that promise become reality, as a result of two significant developments. On April 6, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress enacted amendments to the PRC Foreign Trade Law. Just 10 days later, the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) followed by issuing the Measures for the Administration of Foreign Investment in the Commercial Sector (Commercial Sector Investment Measures). The Commercial Sector Investment Measures and the amendments to the Foreign Trade Law took effect June 1 and July 1, respectively, and herald the start of a new era for foreign companies doing business in and with China.