A screenshot of the online platform of "A Collection of Regulations and Rules of Shanghai City". [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

An official online platform that allows local and foreign residents and businesses in Shanghai to search for the municipality's laws and rules that are currently in force was launched on Jan 20.

Called "A Collection of Regulations and Rules of Shanghai City", the platform can be accessed through various channels, including the official website of the municipal government, the website of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice, and the WeChat account of the information office of the municipal government.

The bureau said the bilingual platform – it is available in Chinese and English – was designed to better meet expatriates' needs in making investments, working and living in the city.

Users can enter keywords, such as "residence permit", "new energy", and "intellectual property" and all documents related to the topic will appear.

"This is also an effort to help build a more market-oriented and international business environment with the power of the rule of law," said Lu Weidong, director of the Shanghai Municipal Bureau of Justice.