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	<title>Investing and Trading  in china</title>
	<description>The professional consulting and trading serice website.Help you to set up Representative Office in China </description>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com/</link>
	<language>UTF-8</language>
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	<title><![CDATA[What&#39;s the difference from trading enterprise,manufacturing enterprise and service enterprise]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-10-14/article_view_3776.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>Manufacturing enterprise, Trading enterprise and Service enterprise are the three most common forms for foreign investors to set up a company in China. Many foreign investors do not have clear understanding about the difference among the three forms of enterprises, so they confront trouble when trying to register their companies. Below is a brief introduction of the features of the three different enterprise types.&nbsp;<br />
<br />
<strong>Operational features:</strong> <br />
<strong>For manufacturing enterprise:</strong> They process or assemble the products they sell. The procedure of purchasing and processing of raw material with labor force is its great feature. For technical companies, they can be deemed as manufacturing enterprise if their operation activities include the procedure of processing the raw materials. Otherwise, they can&rsquo;t be defined as manufacturing enterprises.</p>
<p><strong>For trading enterprise:</strong> Their chief feature is that they mainly carry on commodity or service exchange using some kind of currency. Generally, its operation pattern is a buying and selling.</p>
<p><strong>For service enterprise:</strong> They provide certain invisible services, such as consultation, technology, patent and so on. Generally there is no trading of physical commodities.<br />
<br />
<strong>Tax affairs:</strong> <br />
<strong>Manufacturing enterprise:</strong> they have to pay Value Added Tax (output tax payable minus input tax), where there are generally two different tax rates: 13% and 17% (For some special industry the rates will be different).&nbsp; Instead of VAT invoice, small taxpayers can issue plain invoice with the tax rate of 5% based on sales revenue. Enterprise income tax rate is 25% based on net profit at the year end.</p>
<p><strong>Trading enterprise:</strong> they have to pay Value Added Tax (output tax payable minus input tax), where there are generally two different tax rates: 13% and 17% (For some special industry the rates will be different). Tax refund with rates from 4% to 13% is available for companies engaged in international trading. Enterprise income tax rate is 25% based on net profit at the year end.</p>
<p><strong>Service enterprise:</strong> generally use plain invoice with the tax rate of 5% (few companies such as advertisement service and so on are exposed to different tax rate). Enterprise income tax rate is 25% based on net profit at the year end.</p>
<p><strong>Registration request:</strong> <br />
According to the new Corporation law, the minimum registered capital for an enterprise is 30,000 RMB (except sole proprietorship and industry with special permission). Considering respective operating environment and convenience for registration, we suggest as follows:</p>
<p><strong>Manufacturing enterprise:</strong> The minimum registered capital is 500,000 US dollars. It shall have at least 1 executive director and 1 supervisor if it doesn&rsquo;t have a board of director or a board of supervisor. The executive director is the legal representative, and may hold a concurrent post of general manager. The registration procedure needs the enterprise to provide leasing contract of manufacturing location (it should be the contract of factory location, instead of office location), the environmental protection examination opinion and the Fire service opinion.</p>
<p><strong>Trading enterprise:</strong> The minimum registered capital is 200,000 US dollars. It shall have at least 1 executive director and 1 supervisor if it doesn&rsquo;t have a board of director or a board of supervisor. The executive director is the legal representative, and may hold a concurrent post of general manager.&nbsp; The registration procedure needs the enterprise to provide leasing contract of office (or building) location.</p>
<p><strong>Service enterprise:</strong> The minimum registered capital is 100,000 US dollars. It shall have at least 1 executive director and 1 supervisor if it doesn&rsquo;t have a board of director or a board of supervisor. The executive director is the legal representative, and may hold a concurrent post of general manager.&nbsp; The registration procedure needs the enterprise to provide leasing contract of office (or building) location.</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-10-14/article_view_3776.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 07:28:06 GMT</pubDate>
	<comments>http://www.goinvestchina.com/review.asp?articleid=3776</comments>
	</item>

	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[What are the basic laws and regulations encouraging overseas investment? ]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-10-14/article_view_1950.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>In order to create a congenial investment environment and to encourage overseas firms to invest in China, China has gradually set up a relatively complete legal system. In 1979 the National People&lsquo;s Congress issued The Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures. In the following 20-odd years, the Chinese government has promulgated and issued a series of laws and statutes concerning the establishment, operation, termination and liquidation of foreign-invested enterprises. The main laws and regulations include the three basic laws ― The Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures, The Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures, and The Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China on Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises; detailed rules for the implementation of the three basic laws; The Company Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China; The Income Tax Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises; Interim Provisions for Guiding Foreign Investment; Industrial Catalogue for Foreign Investment; Interim Provisions Concerning the Investment within China of Foreign-invested Enterprises, Provisions Regarding the Merger and Separation of Foreign-invested Enterprises, and Liquidation Measures for Enterprises with Foreign Investment. These provide legal bases from which to guarantee the independent operation rights of foreign-funded enterprises and to protect the legitimate rights and interest of both domestic and overseas investors. 　　 　　<br />
Currently, the Chinese government is reexamining its existing laws and statutes in accordance with the framework of the WTO. It has abolished certain obsolete laws and regulations, and will gradually revise the laws and regulations that are incompatible with the rules of the WTO. For instance, in 2000 China revised The Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures and The Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China on Wholly Foreign-Owned Enterprises, and discarded certain restrictions regarding the balance of foreign exchange account and localization of supplies. In 2001 The Law of the People&lsquo;s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures was also revised.</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-10-14/article_view_1950.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:43:04 GMT</pubDate>
	<comments>http://www.goinvestchina.com/review.asp?articleid=1950</comments>
	</item>

	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Newsletter]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3774.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<h3>Stay informed with our free newsletter!</h3>
<p>To sign up for our newsletter just enter your Email-address below. The newsletter is sent monthly. You can of course unsubscribe at any time. Your Email-address will be stored on a secure server and not released to third parties.</p>
<form action="/mail/index.asp?Action=add" method="post" onsubmit="return Add(this);">
    <p><label>Email</label> <input size="50" name="Books_Mail" value="Your Email" type="text" /> <input class="button" type="submit" value="Submit" /></p>
</form>
<p>To avoid problems with spam filters we found it useful to ad the contact@goinvestchinan.com to your addressbook. Please remember that AIC will never send any software or similar attachments.</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3774.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:55:13 GMT</pubDate>
	<comments>http://www.goinvestchina.com/review.asp?articleid=3774</comments>
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	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Privacy and copyright]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3773.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>In order to protect the privacy and copyright of our company and keep a good online environment, Mazzini Consultants Corporation states the following important notices.</p>
<p>All rights reserved. All text, images, charts, sound, animation, and videos, and their arrangement on our website, are protected by copyright and other protective laws. The content of this website must not be copied, distributed, altered, or made available to third parties for commercial purposes. Some website pages also contain images copyrighted by third parties.</p>
<p>We may provide links to third-party Web sites. Mazzini Consultants Corporation has no responsibility for these third-party Web sites, which are governed by the Terms of Use and privacy policies, if any, of the applicable third-party content providers.</p>
<p>All services offered and described in&nbsp;Mazzini website are for reference only. Our legitimate obligation will be carried out in accoundance with the contract. All the law and regulation articles provided by&nbsp;Mazzini website are for reference only. You'd better consult the official website of peple's republic of China for further, detaild , updated information. All procedures should be carried out according to the latest laws and regulations promulgated and amended by the government. Our newletter is for providing the updated news and services for our clients, and collecting more information for us. Our analysis reports and reseach are done by certain standards. Due to the limitation of time and rescources, there must be many inaccuracy in our analysis data and information. If you have any questions or suggestions, please email ours. Any unauthorized access and unauthorized modification are not welcome.</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3773.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:51:23 GMT</pubDate>
	<comments>http://www.goinvestchina.com/review.asp?articleid=3773</comments>
	</item>

	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Regulations for Merger with and Acquisition of Domestic Enterprises by Foreign InvestorsCatalogue]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3772.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>Chapter I General Principles</p>
<p>Chapter II Basic Rules</p>
<p>Chapter III Examination, Approval and Registration</p>
<p>Chapter IV Foreign Investors' Merger with and Acquisition of Domestic Companies Based on the Payment of Equities</p>
<p>Section 1 Conditions for Equity M&amp;A</p>
<p>Section 2 Application documents and procedures <br />
Section 3 Special provisions for the company with special purpose</p>
<p>Chapter V Anti-monopolization Examination</p>
<p>Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions</p>
<p>Chapter I General Principles</p>
<p>Article 1　These Provisions are formulated in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations concerning foreign-invested enterprises, Company Law</p>
<p>and other relevant laws and administrative regulations in order to promote and standardize foreign investors' investment in China, introduce foreign advanced</p>
<p>technology and management experience, enhance the level of utilizing foreign investment, realize reasonable allocation of resources, ensure employment,</p>
<p>safeguard fair competition and national economic security.</p>
<p>Article 2 &quot;Merger with and acquisition of domestic enterprises by foreign investors&quot; in terms of these Regulations means a foreign investor purchases the</p>
<p>stock right of a shareholder of a non-foreign-invested enterprise in China (domestic company）or capital increase of a domestic company so as to convert and</p>
<p>re-establish a domestic company as a foreign-invested enterprise (equity merger and acquisition); or, a foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested</p>
<p>enterprise and purchases and operates the assets of a domestic enterprise by the agreement of that enterprise, or, a foreign investor purchases the assets of</p>
<p>a domestic enterprise by agreement and uses this asset investment to establish a foreign-invested enterprise and operate the assets （Asset Merger and</p>
<p>Acquisition）.</p>
<p>Article 3　Foreign investors' merger with and acquisition of domestic enterprises shall comply with the laws, administrative regulations and rules of China</p>
<p>and follow the principles of fairness and reasonableness, consideration for equal value and good faith, shall not result in excessive concentration,</p>
<p>exclusion or restriction of competition, and shall not interfere with social economic order or harm social public interests.</p>
<p>Article 4　Foreign investors' merger with and acquisition of domestic enterprises shall comply with the requirements stipulated by laws, administrative</p>
<p>regulations and rules of China, and policies concerning industry, land and environment.</p>
<p>According to the Guiding Catalogue of Foreign Invested Industry, to an industry that is not allowed to be operated by a sole foreign investor, its merger and</p>
<p>acquisition shall not result in foreign investor holding the enterprise's entire equity. To an industry that needs Chinese party to have the holdings or have</p>
<p>relative holdings, and the Chinese party shall maintain its holdings or relative holdings in the enterprise after the enterprise in that industry is merged</p>
<p>and acquired. To an industry that is forbidden to be operated by a sole foreign investor, the foreign investor shall not merge with or acquire any enterprise</p>
<p>in that industry.</p>
<p>The business range of the original invested enterprise of the merged or acquired domestic enterprise shall accord with the requirements of the policy</p>
<p>concerning foreign-invested industry. Whichever does not meet the requirements shall be readjusted.</p>
<p>Article 5 A foreign investor's merger with or acquisition of domestic enterprises involving the transference of state owned equity and management of state</p>
<p>owned equity of listed companies shall abide by corresponding regulations concerning the management of state owned assets.</p>
<p>Article 6 A foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested enterprise by merging or acquiring a domestic enterprise shall be approved by the examination and</p>
<p>approval organ in accordance with the provisions of these Regulations and register for changes or establish a registration to the registration management</p>
<p>authority.</p>
<p>Article 7　The persons concerned of all parties concerning foreign investor's merger with and acquisition of domestic enterprises shall pay tax and accept</p>
<p>the supervision of taxation authority in accordance with Taxation Law of China.</p>
<p>Article 8 The persons concerned of all parties concerning foreign investor's merger with and acquisition of domestic enterprises shall abide by the laws and</p>
<p>administrative regulations of China concerning the administration of foreign exchange, go through the formalities of foreign exchange examination and</p>
<p>approval, registration, record and changes in time to foreign exchange authority.</p>
<p>Chapter II Basic Rules</p>
<p>Article 9 If the ratio of financial contribution of a foreign investor in the registered capital of the foreign-invested enterprise established after the</p>
<p>merger and acquisition (M&amp;A) is more than 25 percent, this enterprise shall enjoy the treatment of a foreign-invested enterprise.</p>
<p>If the ratio of financial contribution of the foreign investor in the registered capital of the foreign-invested enterprise established after merger and</p>
<p>acquisition is less than 25%, this enterprise shall not enjoy the treatment of a foreign-invested enterprise except for separate provisions stipulated by</p>
<p>laws and administrative regulations. Its Borrowing external debts shall be handled according to relevant provisions relating to domestic non-foreign-invested</p>
<p>enterprises' borrowing external debts. The examination and approval organ shall issue to it the Approval Certificate of Foreign-invested Enterprises with</p>
<p>annotations &quot;ratio of foreign investment less than 25%&quot; (Approval Certificate). The registration administration authority and foreign exchange <br />
administration authority shall issue separately to it the Business License for foreign-invested enterprises with annotations &quot;ratio of foreign investment</p>
<p>less than 25%&quot; and Foreign Exchange Registration Card.</p>
<p>If domestic companies, enterprises or natural persons merge or acquire the domestic companies that have something to do with them in the name of the</p>
<p>companies legally established or controlled by them in foreign countries, the established foreign-invested enterprises shall not enjoy the treatment of</p>
<p>foreign-invested enterprises except that if the company in foreign countries offers to buy the capital increase of domestic companies, or increase capital to</p>
<p>the enterprises established by this company in foreign country after merger, the sum of capital increase takes more than 25 per cent of the enterprise's</p>
<p>registered capital. To the foreign-invested enterprise established according to the way as prescribed in this section, except for the actual controller, the</p>
<p>foreign investor provide funds more than 25 per cent of the enterprise's registered capital, it may enjoy the treatment of foreign-invested enterprises. <br />
The treatment for the Foreign-invested enterprises established after foreign investor's merger with or acquisition of the domestic listed companies shall be</p>
<p>handled in accordance with relevant regulations of the state.</p>
<p>Article 10 In terms of these Regulations, the examination and approval organ is the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China or provincial</p>
<p>commercial authority, the registration authority is State Administration for Industry and Commerce or its authorized local administration for industry and</p>
<p>commerce, foreign exchange administrative authority is State Administration of Foreign Exchange and its branches.</p>
<p>If the foreign-invested enterprises established after merger and acquisition are, according to the provisions of laws, administrative regulations and rules,</p>
<p>the foreign-invested enterprises of special type or industry that shall be approved by the Ministry of Commerce, provincial examination and approval organ</p>
<p>shall submit the applications to the Ministry of Commerce for approval, the Ministry of Commerce will make the decision whether or not to approve it.</p>
<p>Article 11 The domestic companies. Enterprises or natural persons shall, when they merge or acquire domestic companies having something to do with them in</p>
<p>the name of the companies in foreign countries legally established or controlled by them, be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce for approval.</p>
<p>The person concerned shall not evade above requirements by domestic investment of the foreign-invested enterprises or by other means.</p>
<p>Article 12 If a foreign investor merges or acquires a domestic enterprise and obtains the actual right to control it, and it involves major industry, has or</p>
<p>may have the influence on the state security or caused the transference of the actual right of the domestic enterprise owning famous trademark or having a</p>
<p>name of long history, the person concerned shall submit a report on it to the Ministry of Commerce.</p>
<p>If a person concerned fails to submit a report, and its merger or acquisition does cause or may cause serious influence on the state economic security, the</p>
<p>Ministry of Commerce may, together with corresponding departments, ask the person concerned to stop the deal or transfer corresponding stock ownership,</p>
<p>assets or take other effective measures in order to eliminate the influence of the merger or acquisition on the state security.</p>
<p>Article 13 Once a foreign investor annexes stock rights, the foreign invested enterprise established after the annexation shall inherit the creditor's rights</p>
<p>and debt of the merged or acquired company.</p>
<p>As for the annexation of foreign investor's assets, the domestic enterprise that sold the assets shall bear the original creditor's rights and debt.</p>
<p>The foreign investor, merged and acquired enterprise, creditor and other persons concerned may reach an agreement on the treatment of the creditor's rights</p>
<p>and debt of the merged and acquired domestic enterprise, but they shall not harm the third party's interests and social public interests. The treatment</p>
<p>agreement on the creditor's rights and debt shall be submitted to the examination and approval organ for approval.</p>
<p>The domestic enterprise selling its assets shall, at least 15 days before the investor submits the applications to the examination and approval organ, send</p>
<p>the notice to the creditor and publish an announcement in a nationwide newspaper at the level of province and higher.</p>
<p>Article 14 The parties concerned relating to an M&amp;A shall take the value of the stock right to be transferred and the assessment result of the assets to be</p>
<p>sold that are made by the assets evaluation institution as the basis of determining the transaction price. The parties concerned relating to an M&amp;A may agree</p>
<p>on an asset assessment institution lawfully established within China. The international used assessment method shall be adopted for the asset assessment. It</p>
<p>is prohibited to divert any capital abroad in any disguised form by transferring any equities or selling assets at a price which is obviously lower than the</p>
<p>assessment result.</p>
<p>If a foreign investor's M&amp;A of a domestic enterprise causes the modification of any equity formed by the investments of state-owned assets or transference of</p>
<p>the property right of state-owned assets, it shall satisfy the relevant provisions of the administration of state-owned assets.</p>
<p>Article 15 The parties concerned relating to a M&amp;A shall make clear whether or not there is a connected relationship between the parties concerned. If two</p>
<p>parties belong to a same actual controller, the parties concerned shall disclose their actual controller to the examination and approval organ and make an</p>
<p>explanation about whether the purpose of M&amp;A and the assessment result accord with the sound value of the market. The parties concerned shall not evade the</p>
<p>aforesaid requirements by trust, holding shares on behalf of others, or other means.</p>
<p>Article 16 A foreign investor shall, to establish a foreign-invested enterprise by merging and acquiring a domestic enterprise, pay all the considerations to</p>
<p>the shareholders who transfer the equities or to the domestic enterprise which sells the assets within 3 months from the date of issuing the business license</p>
<p>to the foreign-invested enterprise. If it needs to extend the time limit due to any case under special circumstances, the foreign investor shall, upon the</p>
<p>approval of the examination and approval organ, pay 60 per cent or more of the whole consideration within 6 months as of the date of issuing the business</p>
<p>license to the foreign-invested enterprise, and pay off the consideration within one year, and distribute the earnings according to the proportion of the</p>
<p>actually contributed investments.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor offers to buy the capital increase of a domestic company, the shareholders of the limited liability company and the domestic joint</p>
<p>stock limited company established by the way of initiation shall pay no less than 20% of the newly registered capital when the company applies for a business</p>
<p>license for foreign-invested enterprise. The time to pay the rest financial contribution shall be in line with the provisions of the Company Law, the laws</p>
<p>relating to foreign investments and the Regulations on the Administration of Company Registration. Provided there are any other provisions stipulated by any</p>
<p>other laws or administrative regulations, such provisions shall prevail. Where a limited-liability company issues new stocks for increasing the registered</p>
<p>capital, the shareholders shall offer to buy new stocks in accordance with the relevant provisions relating to the share payment for establishing a limited-</p>
<p>liability company.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor carries out an M&amp;A, it shall stipulate the time limit for financial contribution in the contract and articles of the foreign-</p>
<p>invested enterprise to be established. Where the foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested enterprise, and through the agreement of this enterprise</p>
<p>purchases the assets of a domestic enterprise and operates such assets, it shall pay the contribution of the consideration of the asset within the time limit</p>
<p>for the payment of consideration as stipulated in Paragraph 1 of the present Article. The remaining financial contribution shall satisfy the corresponding</p>
<p>provisions relating to the capital contribution for establishing a foreign-invested enterprise.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested enterprise by merging and acquiring a domestic enterprise, if the proportion of its contribution is</p>
<p>less than 25 per cent of the enterprise's registered capital and if it provides funds in cash, it shall pay up it within 3 months from the day when a</p>
<p>business license is issued to the foreign-invested enterprise; if it provides funds in kind or industrial property, it shall pay up it within 6 months from</p>
<p>the day when a business license is issued to the foreign-invested enterprise.</p>
<p>Article 17 The means of the consideration payment shall accord with the provisions of relevant laws and administrative regulations of the state. If a foreign</p>
<p>investor uses the RMB assets it lawfully owns as a means of payment, it shall obtain the approval of the foreign exchange administrations. If a foreign</p>
<p>investor uses the shares which are at its disposition as a means of payment, it shall handle it according to Chapter IV of these Regulations.</p>
<p>Article 18 After a foreign investor purchases the equities of a domestic company by agreement, and the domestic company has been converted into a foreign-</p>
<p>invested enterprise, the registered capital of this foreign-invested enterprise shall be the registered capital of the original domestic company, and the</p>
<p>proportion of the foreign investor's contribution shall be the proportion of its purchased equities in the original registered capital.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor offers to buy the capital increase of a domestic limited-liability company, the registered capital of the foreign-invested</p>
<p>enterprise established after the M &amp; A shall be the sum of the amount of the registered capital and the capital increase of the former domestic company. The</p>
<p>foreign investor and other former shareholders of the merged and acquired domestic company shall, on the basis of the assets evaluation of the domestic</p>
<p>company, determine their respective proportion of capital contributions in the foreign-invested enterprise.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor offers to buy the capital increase of a domestic limited-liability company, the registered capital shall be determined under the</p>
<p>Company Law.</p>
<p>Article 19 As for M&amp;A of the equity by a foreign investor, the foreign-invested enterprise established after the M &amp; A shall determine the upper limits of</p>
<p>the total investments according to the following rates except for any other provisions stipulated by the state:</p>
<p>(1)If the registered capital is less than US$ 2.1 million, the total investments shall not exceed 10/7 of the registered capital; <br />
(2)If the registered capital is more than US$ 2.1 million to US$ 5 million, the total investments shall not exceed two times the registered capital; <br />
(3) If the registered capital is more than US$ 5 million to US$ 12 million, the total investments shall not exceed 2.5 times the registered capital; and <br />
(4)If the registered capital is more than US$ 12 million, the total investments shall not exceed 3 times the registered capital.</p>
<p>Article 20 For a foreign investor's M&amp;A of assets, the investor shall, according to the transaction price for purchasing the assets and the actual production</p>
<p>and operation scale, determine the total investments of the foreign-invested enterprise to be established. The proportion between the registered capital and</p>
<p>total investments of the foreign-invested enterprise to be established shall conform to the relevant provisions.</p>
<p>Chapter III Examination, Approval and Registration</p>
<p>Article 21 If a foreign investor merges and acquires equity, the investor shall, according to the total investments of the foreign-invested enterprise</p>
<p>established after the M&amp;A, the type of the enterprise and the industry it engages in, and in accordance with the provisions of laws, administrative</p>
<p>regulations and rules relating to the establishment of foreign-invested enterprises, submit following documents to the examination and approval organ with</p>
<p>corresponding authority:</p>
<p>(1) A resolution of the shareholders of the merged domestic limited-liability company on unanimous agreement with the foreign investor's merger with and</p>
<p>acquisition of the equity or the resolution of the merged and acquired domestic limited-liability company at the shareholders' conference on agreement with</p>
<p>the foreign investor's merger with and acquisition of the equity. <br />
(2) An application of the merged domestic company for converting into a foreign-invested enterprise; <br />
(3) An contract and the articles of the foreign-invested enterprise established after M&amp;A; <br />
(4) An agreement on the foreign investor's acquisition of the shareholders' equities of the domestic company or the foreign investor's purchase of the</p>
<p>capital increase of the domestic company; <br />
(5) The financial audit report of the merged domestic company in the previous financial year; <br />
(6) The investor's identity, registration and credit certification that have been notarized and certified according to law; <br />
(7) The descriptions about the enterprises invested by the merged domestic enterprise; <br />
(8) The (duplicates) of the business licenses of the merged domestic company and its invested enterprises; <br />
(9) The plan for the settlement of the employees of the merged domestic enterprise; <br />
(10) The documents to be submitted as required by Articles 13, 14 and 15 of these Regulations. <br />
If the business scope, scale, right of using a land of the foreign-invested enterprise established after M &amp; A are subject to the license of other</p>
<p>corresponding governmental departments, the relevant license shall be submitted along with the foresaid documents.</p>
<p>Article 22 An equity purchase agreement, or capital increase agreement of the domestic company shall apply to Chinese law and contain the following contents: <br />
(1) The status of each party reaching the agreement, including the appellation (name) location, name, occupation and nationality of each legal</p>
<p>representative; <br />
(2) The proportion of price of the purchased equities or subscribed capital increase; <br />
(3) The term and method of execution of the agreement; <br />
(4) The rights and obligations of each party reaching the agreement; <br />
(5) The liabilities for breach of contract, and settlement of disputes; and <br />
(6) The time and place for conclusion of the agreement.</p>
<p>Article 23 For an M&amp;A based on assets, the foreign investor shall, according to the total investments of the foreign-invested enterprise to be established,</p>
<p>the type of the enterprise and the industry it engages in, and in accordance with the provisions of the laws, administrative regulations and rules relating</p>
<p>to the establishment of foreign-invested enterprises, submit the following documents to the examination and approval organ with corresponding authority: <br />
(1) A resolution of the property right holders or power mechanism of the domestic enterprise on agreeing with the sale of assets; <br />
(2) An application for the establishment of a foreign-invested enterprise; <br />
(3) A contract and the articles of the foreign-invested enterprise to be established; <br />
(4) An asset purchase agreement signed by the foreign-invested enterprise to be established and the domestic enterprise, or by the foreign investor and the</p>
<p>domestic enterprise; <br />
(5)The articles and business license (duplicate) of the merged and acquired domestic enterprise; <br />
(6) The notice of the merged and acquired domestic enterprise, certifications of the announced creditors, and statement about whether the creditors have</p>
<p>raised any objections; <br />
(7) ) The investor's identity, or certificate of opening a business, and relevant credit certificates that have been notarized and certified according to</p>
<p>law; <br />
(8) The plan on the settlement of employees of the merged and acquired domestic enterprise; and <br />
(9) The documents as prescribed in Articles 13, 14 and 15 of these Regulations. <br />
If the assets purchased and operated in accordance with previous paragraph involves in the license of other corresponding governmental departments, the</p>
<p>relevant licenses shall be submitted along with the preceding documents. <br />
Where a foreign investor purchases the assets of a domestic enterprise by agreement and invests such assets in establishing a foreign-invested enterprise, it</p>
<p>shall not, prior to the establishment of the foreign-invested enterprise, use such assets to do any business.</p>
<p>Article 24 The assets purchase agreement shall apply to Chinese law and contain the following main contents: <br />
(1) The status of each party reaching the agreement, including the appellation (name), and location, and the name, occupation and nationality of each legal</p>
<p>representative; <br />
(2) The term and method for the execution of the agreement; <br />
(3) The rights and obligations of each part reaching the agreements; <br />
(4) The liabilities for breach of contract, and settlement of disputes; <br />
(6)The time and place for the conclusion of the agreement.</p>
<p>Article 25 Where a foreign investor establishes a foreign-invested enterprise by taking over a domestic enterprise, provided there are any other provisions</p>
<p>in these Regulations, the examination and approval organ shall, within 30 days after receipt of all documents as stipulated to be submitted, make a decision</p>
<p>of approval or disapproval. If it decides to make a decision of approval, an approval certificate shall be issued by the examination and approval organ. <br />
Where a foreign investor purchases the equities of a domestic company by agreement, and the examination and approval organ makes a decision of approval, the</p>
<p>investor shall simultaneously send a copy of the approval documents separately to the party that transfers the equities, the foreign exchange administrations</p>
<p>in the area where the domestic company is located. The foreign exchange administrations in the area where the party that transfers the equities is located</p>
<p>shall handle the registration for foreign funds and foreign exchange based on equity-transfer and foreign exchange collection and issue corresponding</p>
<p>certificates, which is an effective document proving that the consideration for equity M&amp;A paid by the foreign investor has been in place.</p>
<p>Article 26 Where a foreign investor merges and acquires assets, the investor shall, within 30 days after receipt of the approval certificate, apply to the</p>
<p>registration administrations for registration and get the business license for foreign invested enterprises.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor merges and acquires equities, the merged and acquired domestic company shall, in accordance with these Regulations, apply to the</p>
<p>original registration administration for modifying its registration and get the business license for foreign-invested enterprises. If the original</p>
<p>registration administration has no authority for registration, it shall, within 10 days after receipt of the application documents, transfer these</p>
<p>application documents to the registration administration with authority and simultaneously enclosed the registration files of the domestic company. When</p>
<p>applying for registration modification, the merged and acquired domestic company shall submit the following documents and be responsible for their</p>
<p>authenticity and effectiveness: <br />
(1) An application for registration modification; <br />
(2) An agreement on the foreign investor's purchase of equities of the domestic company or subscription of capital increase of a domestic company ; <br />
(3) The revised regulations of the company or the amendment of the original regulations, and the contract of the foreign-invested enterprise which shall be</p>
<p>submitted in accordance with law; <br />
(4) The approval certificate for foreign-invested enterprises; <br />
(5) The certification for the foreign investor's subject qualification or the identity of natural person; <br />
(6) The revised name list of the members of the board of directors, the documents with the name and domicile of the new directors, and the appoint documents</p>
<p>for the new directors; <br />
(7) Other relevant documents and certificates as stipulated by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.</p>
<p>The investor shall, within 30 days after receipt of the business license for foreign-invested enterprises, go through the registration formalities in the</p>
<p>taxation, customs, land administration and foreign exchange administration authorities.</p>
<p>Chapter IV Foreign Investors' M&amp;A of Domestic Companies Based on the Payment of Equities</p>
<p>Section 1 Requirements for Equity M&amp;A</p>
<p>Article 27 &quot;Foreign Investors' M&amp;A of Domestic Companies Based on the Payment of Equities&quot; in terms of these Regulations means that the shareholders of an</p>
<p>overseas company purchase the equities or increased shares of a domestic company by paying its equities or the increased shares.</p>
<p>Article 28 &quot;Overseas company&quot; in terms of this Chapter shall be established lawfully and there is a perfect system of company law in its registration place,</p>
<p>and the company and its management level have no record of punishment made by the supervision administration in recent 3 years. Except for the companies with</p>
<p>special-purpose as mentioned in Section 3 of this Chapter, an overseas company shall be a listed company and there shall be a perfect system for dealing in</p>
<p>securities in the place where it gets listed.</p>
<p>Article 29 The equities of a domestic company involving in a foreign investor's M&amp;A of equities shall meet the following conditions: <br />
(1) Lawfully held by the shareholders and may be transferred in accordance with the law; <br />
(2) No dispute over their ownership, no hypothecation and any other restrictions on rights; <br />
(3) The equities of an overseas company shall be listed publicly in an overseas open and lawful securities exchange market (excluding the over-counter</p>
<p>exchange market); and <br />
(4)The transaction price of the equities of the overseas company in recent one year remains stable. <br />
The Items (3) and (4) of the preceding Paragraph is inapplicable to the companies with special-purpose as mentioned in Section 3 of this Chapter.</p>
<p>Article 30 Where a foreign investor merges and acquires a domestic company based on the equities, the domestic company or its shareholders shall engage an</p>
<p>intermediary institution registered within China to serve as a consultant (hereinafter referred to as the &quot;M&amp;A consultant&quot;). The M&amp;A consultant shall make</p>
<p>duteous investigations on the genuineness of the application documents for M&amp;A, the financial status of the overseas company and whether the M&amp;A meets the</p>
<p>requirements of Articles 14, 28 and 29 of these Regulations, and provide a M&amp;A consultant report and put forward clear-cut professional comments on each of</p>
<p>the aforesaid items.</p>
<p>Article 31 A M&amp;A consultant shall satisfy the following requirements: <br />
(1) Having a good reputation and corresponding experiences; <br />
(2) No record of serious violation of any law or regulation; and <br />
(3) Being capable of investigating and analyzing the legal systems of the registration place of the overseas company and the place where the overseas company</p>
<p>is get listed, and the financial status of the overseas company. <br />
Section 2 Application Documents and Procedures</p>
<p>Article 32 An equity M&amp;A of a domestic company by a foreign investor shall be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce for the examination and approval The</p>
<p>domestic company shall not only submit the documents as required in Chapter III of these Regulations but also the following documents: <br />
(1) A statement of the equity changes and major assets changes of the domestic company in recent one year; <br />
(2) A M&amp;A consultant's report; <br />
(3) The business opening certifications or identity certification of the domestic and overseas companies involved and their shareholders; <br />
(4) Descriptions about the equities held by the shareholders of the overseas company, and the name list of the shareholders holding 5 % or more of the</p>
<p>equities of the overseas company; <br />
(5) The Regulations of the overseas company and a description about external guaranties; and <br />
(6) The financial paper audited in the past annual year and a report on the stock dealings in the past half year of the overseas company.</p>
<p>Article 33&nbsp; The Ministry of Commerce shall, within 30 days after receipt of all submitted documents as stipulated, examine the application for M&amp;A. If the</p>
<p>application meet the requirements, an approval certificate shall be issued, on which the remark that &quot;A foreign investor's equity M&amp;A of a domestic company&quot;</p>
<p>shall be given, and the business license shall be valid for 6 months as of the day when it is issued.&quot;</p>
<p>Article 34&nbsp; A domestic company shall, within 30 days after receiving the foresaid certificate, it shall go through the formalities for changes in the</p>
<p>registration administration and the foreign exchange administration. The registration administration and the foreign exchange administration shall</p>
<p>respectively issue to it a business license for foreign-invested enterprises and a foreign exchange registration card with annotations that &quot;Valid for 8</p>
<p>months as of the date of issuance&quot;.</p>
<p>When a domestic company goes through the formalities for registration modification in the registration administration, it shall, in advance, submit an</p>
<p>application for equity conversion, amendment of the company's regulation, agreement of equity transference and other documents signed by the legal</p>
<p>representative of the domestic company for the purposes of resuming the equity structure.</p>
<p>Article 35&nbsp; Within 6 months as of the date of issuance of a business license, the domestic company or its shareholders shall, in regard to the matters</p>
<p>relating to holding the equities of the overseas company, apply to the Ministry of Commerce and the foreign exchange administrations for going through the</p>
<p>formalities of the examination, approval and registration for investing in an enterprise abroad .</p>
<p>Besides the documents as stipulated in the Rules on the Examination and Approval of Investing in Enterprises Abroad, the parties concerned shall submit to</p>
<p>the Ministry of Commerce the approval certificate for foreign-invested enterprises with the said annotation and a the business license for foreign-invested</p>
<p>enterprises with the said annotation. After the examination and approval of the overseas company's equities held by the domestic company or its shareholders,</p>
<p>the Ministry of Commerce shall issue the approval certificate of Chinese enterprise investment overseas and replace the approval certificate of foreign-</p>
<p>invested enterprises with no annotation by a one with annotation.</p>
<p>After a domestic company obtains the approval certificate of foreign-invested enterprise without annotation, it shall, within 30 days, apply to the</p>
<p>registration administration and the foreign exchange administration for replacing the business license of foreign-invested enterprise and the foreign</p>
<p>exchange registration card without annotation by a one with annotation.</p>
<p>Article 36&nbsp; Within 6 months as of the date of issuance of a business license, if the domestic and overseas companies fail to go through the formalities of</p>
<p>equity modification, the approval certificate with annotation and approval certificate of Chinese enterprise overseas investment shall be invalid</p>
<p>automatically. The registration administration shall, according to the application documents for registration of equity modification submitted by the</p>
<p>domestic company in advance, examine and approve the modification registration and resume the equity structure of the domestic company to the status before</p>
<p>the equity M&amp;A.</p>
<p>If a domestic company fails to increase shares, before the registration administration examines and approves the modification registration according to the</p>
<p>preceding Paragraph, the domestic company shall, in accordance with the provisions of the Company Law, reduce the registered capital correspondingly and make</p>
<p>an announcement in a newspaper.</p>
<p>If a domestic company fails to go through the corresponding registration formalities according to the preceding Paragraph, it shall be punished by the</p>
<p>registration administration in accordance with relevant provisions of the Regulations on the Administration of Company Registration.</p>
<p>Article 37&nbsp; Before obtaining the approval certificate of foreign-invested enterprise and a foreign exchange registration certificate without annotation, it</p>
<p>shall not distribute its profits to its shareholders, provide a guarantee to any connected company, pay the capital items such as the equity transfer,</p>
<p>capital decrease or liquidation.</p>
<p>Article 38&nbsp; A domestic company or its shareholders shall go through the tax modification registration in the taxation administration by the approval document</p>
<p>and business license without annotation issued by the Ministry of Commerce and the registration administration.</p>
<p>Section 3 Special provisions for the company with special purpose</p>
<p>Article 39&nbsp; &quot;The company with special-purpose&quot; in terms of these Regulations refers to an overseas company directly or indirectly controlled by a domestic</p>
<p>company or a natural person for the purpose of making the equities of its actual owned domestic company to be listed abroad.</p>
<p>The provisions of this Section shall apply to the company with special purpose that purchases the equities of the shareholders of a domestic company or the</p>
<p>additionally issued shares of a domestic company by paying its equities or its additionally issued shares in order to be listed abroad.</p>
<p>If the parties concerned makes an overseas company holding the equities of a the company with special purpose as a subject to get listed abroad, this</p>
<p>overseas company shall satisfy corresponding requirements for the company with special purpose as prescribed in this Section.</p>
<p>Article 40 The listing transaction abroad of the company with special-purpose shall be approved by the securities regulatory administration of the State</p>
<p>Council.</p>
<p>The country or region where the company with special purpose shall have perfect laws and supervision system and the securities supervision administration of</p>
<p>this country or region shall have signed a memorandum of understanding for supervision cooperation with the securities supervision administration of the</p>
<p>State Council and keep an effective supervision cooperation.</p>
<p>Article 41 A domestic company with its equities listed abroad as mentioned in this Section shall satisfy the following requirements: <br />
(1) Its property right is clear. No dispute or potential dispute over its property right; <br />
(2) Having a complete business system and good sustainable operation capacity; <br />
(3) Having a sound corporate governance structure and internal management system; and <br />
(4) The company and its main shareholders have no record of serious violation of any law or regulations in recent three years.</p>
<p>Article 42 Where a domestic company set up a company with special purpose abroad, it shall apply to the Ministry of Commerce for going through the</p>
<p>examination and approval formalities. When going through such formalities, the domestic company shall, besides the documents as required in the Rules on the</p>
<p>Examination and Approval of Investing in Enterprises Abroad, submit the following documents simultaneously: <br />
(1) The identity of the final controller of the company with special purpose; <br />
(2) The business plan on the overseas listing of the company with special purpose; and <br />
(3) The assessment report made by the M&amp;A consultant on the issuing price of the stock to be listed abroad in the future. <br />
After obtaining the approval document of the investment abroad for Chinese enterprise, the person who establishes or controls the company shall apply to the</p>
<p>foreign exchange administration in the area where the company is located for going through the formalities relating to the registration of foreign exchange</p>
<p>for overseas investments.</p>
<p>Article 43 The total value of issuing the stocks listed abroad of the company with special purpose shall not be lower than the value of the equities M&amp;A of</p>
<p>the domestic company assessed by the relevant asset assessment institution.</p>
<p>Article 44 Where a company with special purpose merges and acquires a domestic company by equities, the domestic company shall, besides the documents as</p>
<p>required in Article 32 of these Regulations, submit to the Ministry of Commerce the following documents: <br />
(1) The approval documents and certificate for the investment in an enterprise abroad when the company with special purpose is established; <br />
(2) Registration Form of foreign exchange for the investments abroad of the company with special purpose; <br />
(3) The identity or the business opening certification or regulations of the final controller of the company with special purpose; <br />
(4) The business plan on listing abroad of the company with special purpose; and <br />
(5)The assessment report made by the M&amp;A consultant on the issuing price of the stock to be listed abroad in the future. <br />
If the overseas company holding the equities of the company with special purpose serves as a subject to be listed abroad, the domestic company shall also</p>
<p>submit the following documents: <br />
(1) The business opening certification and the regulations of the overseas company; and <br />
(2) The detailed descriptions by the company with special purposes and the overseas company to the equities transaction arrangement and the discount method.</p>
<p>Article 45 If the Ministry of Commerce approves the documents as required in Article 44 of these Regulations after preliminary examination, it shall issue a</p>
<p>letter of principle approval letter. The domestic company shall, by the principle approval letter, submit the documents for listing application to the</p>
<p>securities supervision administration of the State Council. The securities supervision administration of the State Council shall make a decision on approval</p>
<p>or disapproval within 20 working days.</p>
<p>After the domestic company obtains the approval, it shall apply for the approval certificate to the Ministry of Commerce. The Ministry of Commerce shall</p>
<p>issue to it an approval certificate with the annotation &quot;Equities holding by the overseas company with special purpose, and valid for 1 year as of the</p>
<p>issuance of a business license&quot;.</p>
<p>If the M&amp;A causes the change of equities of company with special purpose, the domestic company or natural person holding the equities of the company with</p>
<p>special purpose shall, by approval certificate for foreign-invested enterprises with annotation, apply to the Ministry of Commerce for going through the</p>
<p>examination and approval formalities for the changes of the investment in an enterprise abroad on corresponding items.</p>
<p>Article 46 The domestic company shall, within 30 days after receipt of the approval certificate with annotation, apply for the modification registration to</p>
<p>the registration administration and the foreign exchange administration for modifying the registration. The registration administration and the foreign</p>
<p>exchange administration shall respectively issue business license and foreign exchange registration card for foreign-invested enterprises with annotation &quot;</p>
<p>Be valid for 14 months as of the date of issuance&quot;.</p>
<p>When the domestic company handles the modification registration in the registration administration, it shall, in advance, submit the equity change</p>
<p>application, the amendment of the company's regulations, the equity transfer agreement and other documents signed by the legal representative of the domestic</p>
<p>company for the purposes of resuming the equities structure.</p>
<p>Article 47 The domestic company shall, within 30 days after the company with special purpose or its connected overseas company realizes the overseas listing,</p>
<p>report to the Ministry of Commerce the information about the overseas listing and its plan on the repatriation of financial income, and apply for a the</p>
<p>replacement of an approval certificate for foreign-invested enterprises with annotation. At the same time, the domestic company shall, within 30 days after</p>
<p>the realization of overseas listing, report to the securities supervision administration of the State Council the information about the overseas listing and</p>
<p>provide with corresponding documents for the record. It shall also submit its plan on repatriation of financial income to the foreign exchange administration</p>
<p>and execute this plan under the supervision of the foreign exchange administration. It shall, within 30 days after receiving the approval certificate without</p>
<p>annotation, apply for the replacement of the business license and foreign exchange registration card to the registration administration and foreign exchange</p>
<p>administration with annotation.</p>
<p>If the domestic company fails to report to the Ministry of Commerce within the aforesaid time limit, the approval certificate of the domestic company with</p>
<p>annotation shall be invalid automatically, its equities structure will resume to the state before the equity M&amp;A, and it shall go through the formalities for</p>
<p>modifying the registration in accordance with Article 36 of these Regulations.</p>
<p>Article 48 The financial income from overseas listing of the company with special purpose shall, according to the repatriation plan submitted to the foreign</p>
<p>exchange administration for the record, be repatriated according to current regulations for administration of foreign exchange. The financial income may be</p>
<p>repatriated by following means: <br />
(1) providing commercial loans to the domestic company; <br />
(2) setting up a new foreign-invested enterprise within the territory of China; and <br />
(3) M &amp; A of a domestic enterprise.</p>
<p>To repatriate the financial income of a company with special purpose under the aforesaid circumstances, the person concerned shall abide by the laws and</p>
<p>administrative regulations of China on the administration of foreign investments and foreign debts. If the repatriation of the overseas financial income of a</p>
<p>company with special purpose causes the domestic company and natural person to hold more equities of the company with special purpose or increase the net</p>
<p>assets of the company with special purpose, the persons concerned shall disclose the relevant information and report for approval according to the fact, and</p>
<p>go through corresponding formalities for the registration of foreign exchange of foreign investments and registration modification of overseas investments . <br />
The foreign exchange income from profit, bonus and capital change obtained by the domestic company or natural person from the company with special purpose</p>
<p>shall be repatriated within 6 months after the date of obtainment. The profit or bonus may enter into current account for foreign exchange or be converted</p>
<p>into RMB. The foreign exchange income from capital change may, with the examination and approval of the foreign exchange administration, be deposited in the</p>
<p>special capital account or be converted into RMB.</p>
<p>Article 49&nbsp; Within 1 year after the date of issuance of a business license, if the domestic company fails to obtain the approval certificate without</p>
<p>annotation, the approval certificate with annotation shall be invalid automatically, and modification registration shall be handled in accordance with</p>
<p>Article 36 of these Regulations.</p>
<p>Article 50 After the company with special purpose realizes the overseas listing and the domestic company obtains the approval certificate and business</p>
<p>license without annotation, if the person concerned continues to M&amp;A this domestic company by paying its equities, it shall apply to the provisions of</p>
<p>Sections 1 and 2 of this Chapter.</p>
<p>Chapter V Anti-monopolization Examination</p>
<p>Article 51 If a foreign investor merges and acquires a domestic company under any of the following circumstances, the investor shall report the information</p>
<p>involved to the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce: <br />
(1) The business volume of any party of the M&amp;A in Chinese market in current year o exceeds RMB 1.5 billion yuan; <br />
(2) Merging and acquiring more than 10 enterprises in the domestic connective industries within 1 year; <br />
(3) The market share of any party relating to the M&amp;A has reached 20% in Chinese market; and <br />
(4)The M&amp;A leads to the fact that the market share of the party to the M&amp;A has reached 25% in China. <br />
Though failing to meet foresaid requirements, but at the request of the domestic enterprise with competition relationship, the relevant functional department</p>
<p>or industrial association, the Ministry of Commerce or the State Administration for Industry and Commerce believes that the market share of the foreign</p>
<p>investor M&amp;A is huge, or there are other major factors which seriously impact the market competition, it may demand the foreign investor to provide a report. <br />
The aforesaid persons concerned include the enterprises being related to the foreign investor.</p>
<p>Article 52 If the M&amp;A of a domestic company by a foreign investor is under any of the circumstances as prescribed in Article 51 and if the Ministry of</p>
<p>Commerce and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce believe that it may lead to excessive concentration, hamper fair competition or harm the</p>
<p>consumer's interests, they shall, within 90 days as of the date of receipt of all the submitted documents as stipulated, either jointly or solely convene</p>
<p>through negotiation the relevant departments, institutions, enterprises and other interested parties to hold a hearing, and make a decision on approval or</p>
<p>disapproval in accordance with the law.</p>
<p>Article 53 If an overseas M&amp;A is under any of the following circumstances, the parties that carry out the M&amp;A shall, before announcing the M&amp;A plan or when</p>
<p>submitting it to, the competent authority in the country where it is located, submit the M&amp;A plan to the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration</p>
<p>for Industry and Commerce. The Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce shall examine whether it will lead to excessive</p>
<p>centralization in the domestic market, hinder domestic fair competition, or harm domestic consumers' benefits, and then make a decision on approval or</p>
<p>disapproval: <br />
(1) The overseas party of the M&amp;A owns assets of more than RMB 3 billion Yuan in the territory of China; <br />
(2) The business volume of the overseas party of the M&amp;A in the Chinese market is more than RMB 1.5 billion yuan in the current year; <br />
(3) The market share of the overseas party of the M&amp;A and its connected enterprises in Chinese Market has reached 20%; <br />
(4) Due to overseas M&amp;A, the market share of the overseas party of the M&amp;A and its connected enterprises in China has reached 25%; or <br />
(5) Due to overseas M&amp;A, there will be more than 15 foreign-invested enterprises participating directly or indirectly in equities of corresponding domestic</p>
<p>industries.</p>
<p>Article 54 Where a M&amp;A is under any of the following circumstances, any party of the M&amp;A may apply for examination exemption to the Ministry of Commerce and</p>
<p>the State Administration for Industry and Commerce: <br />
(1) May improve the conditions for market fair competition; <br />
(2) Re-organizing losing enterprises and ensure outplacement; <br />
(3) Introduce advanced technology and qualified management personnel and be able to improve the enterprise's international competitiveness; or <br />
(4) May improve the environment.</p>
<p>Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions</p>
<p>Article 55 These Regulations is applicable to the case that an investment company established by a foreign investor within China merges and acquires a</p>
<p>domestic enterprise.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor purchases the equities of the shareholder of a foreign-invested enterprise in China or offer to buy the capital increase of a</p>
<p>foreign-invested enterprise in China, it shall be applicable to current laws, administrative regulations on foreign-invested enterprises as well as</p>
<p>corresponding provisions on equities changes of the investors of foreign-invested enterprise. If any case is not covered by the aforesaid laws,</p>
<p>administrative regulations or provisions, it shall be handled according to these Regulations.</p>
<p>Where a foreign investor merges or acquires a domestic enterprise through a foreign-invested enterprise established by it within China, it shall apply to</p>
<p>corresponding provisions on the combination and split-up of foreign-invested enterprises and corresponding provisions on domestic investment of foreign-</p>
<p>invested enterprise. If any case is not covered by the aforesaid provisions, it shall be handled according to these Regulations. <br />
Where a foreign investor merges and acquires a domestic limited liability company and transforms it into a joint stock limited company, or if the domestic</p>
<p>company is a joint stock limited company, it shall be applicable to the corresponding provisions on the establishment of a joint stock limited company; if</p>
<p>any case is not covered by the aforesaid provisions, it shall be applicable to these Regulations.</p>
<p>Article 56 An applicant or declarer shall submit the documents after classifying the documents into different categories and the catalogue is enclosed in</p>
<p>accordance with these Regulations. All documents required to be submitted shall be written in Chinese.</p>
<p>Article 57 A Chinese natural-person shareholder of a domestic company taken over by equities may, after obtaining the approval, continue to be a Chinese</p>
<p>investor of the foreign-invested enterprise established after modification.</p>
<p>Article 58 If a natural-person shareholder of a domestic company changes his nationality, the enterprise nature of the company shall not be changed.</p>
<p>Article 59 The staffs of corresponding governmental authorities shall be devoted to their duties, perform their duties in accordance with the law, and shall</p>
<p>not seek any improper benefit by taking the advantage of their positions, and shall keep confidential the commercial secrets they have known.</p>
<p>Article 60 Where an investor from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region or Taiwan Region mergers and acquires a</p>
<p>enterprise of any other region in China, it shall be handled according to these Regulations.</p>
<p>Article 61 These Regulations shall come into force as of September 8, 2006.</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3772.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:37:15 GMT</pubDate>
	<comments>http://www.goinvestchina.com/review.asp?articleid=3772</comments>
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	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Law of the people&#39;s republic of China on foreign-capital enter-prises]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3771.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>(Adopted at the Fourth Session of the Sixth National People's <br />
Congress, promulgated by Order No. 39 of the President of the People's Republic of China and effective as of April 12, 1986)</p>
<p>Article 1 <br />
With a view to expanding economic cooperation and technical exchange with foreign countries and promoting the development of China's national economy, the</p>
<p>People's Republic of China permits foreign enterprises, other foreign economic organizations and individuals (hereinafter collectively referred to as foreign</p>
<p>investors&quot;) to set up enterprises with foreign capital in China and protects the lawful rights and interests of such enterprises.</p>
<p>Article 2 <br />
As mentioned in this Law, &quot;enterprises with foreign capital&quot; refers to those enterprises established in China by foreign investors, exclusively with their</p>
<p>own capital, in accordance with relevant Chinese laws. The term does not include branches set up in China by foreign enterprises and other foreign economic</p>
<p>organizations.</p>
<p>Article 3 <br />
Enterprises with foreign capital shall be established in such a manner as to help the development of China's national economy; they shall use advanced</p>
<p>technology and equipment or market all or most of their products outside China. Provisions shall be made by the State Council regarding the lines of business</p>
<p>which the state forbids enterprises with foreign capital to engage in or on which it places certain restrictions.</p>
<p>Article 4 <br />
The investments of a foreign investor in China, the profits it earns and its other lawful rights and interests are protected by Chinese law.Enterprises with</p>
<p>foreign capital must abide by Chinese laws and regulations and must not engage in any activities detrimental to China's public interest.</p>
<p>Article 5 <br />
The state shall not nationalize or requisition any enterprise with foreign capital. Under special circumstances, when public interest requires, enterprises</p>
<p>with foreign capital may be requisitioned by legal procedures and appropriate compensation shall be made.</p>
<p>Article 6 <br />
The application to establish an enterprise with foreign capital shall be submitted for examination and approval to the department under the State Council</p>
<p>which is in charge of foreign economic relations and trade, or to another agency authorized by the State Council. The authorities in charge of examination</p>
<p>and approval shall, within 90 days from the date they receive such application, decide whether or not to grant approval.</p>
<p>Article 7 <br />
After an application for the establishment of an enterprise with foreign capital has been approved, the foreign investor shall, within 30 days from the date</p>
<p>of receiving a certificate of approval, apply to the industry and commerce administration authorities for registration and obtain a business licence. The</p>
<p>date of issue of the business licence shall be the date of the establishment of the enterprise.</p>
<p>Article 8 <br />
An enterprise with foreign capital which meets the conditions for being considered a legal person under Chinese law shall acquire the status of a Chinese</p>
<p>legal person, in accordance with the law.</p>
<p>Article 9 <br />
An enterprise with foreign capital shall make investments in China within the period approved by the authorities in charge of examination and approval. If it</p>
<p>fails to do so, the industry and commerce administration authorities may cancel its business licence. The industry and commerce administration authorities</p>
<p>shall inspect and supervise the investment situation of an enterprise with foreign capital.</p>
<p>Article 10 <br />
In the event of a separation, merger or other major change, an enterprise with foreign capital shall report to and seek approval from the authorities in</p>
<p>charge of examination and approval, and register the change with the industry and commerce administration authorities.</p>
<p>Article 11 <br />
The production and operating plans of enterprises with foreign capital shall be reported to the competent authorities for the record.Enterprises with foreign</p>
<p>capital shall conduct their operations and management in accordance with the approved articles of association, and shall be free from any interference.</p>
<p>Article 12 <br />
When employing Chinese workers and staff, an enterprise with foreign capital shall conclude contracts with them according to law, in which matters concerning</p>
<p>employment, dismissal, remuneration, welfare benefits, labour protection and labour insurance shall be clearly prescribed.</p>
<p>Article 13 <br />
Workers and staff of enterprises with foreign capital may organize trade unions in accordance with the law, in order to conduct trade union activities and</p>
<p>protect their lawful rights and interests.The enterprises shall provide the necessary conditions for the activities of the trade unions in their respective</p>
<p>enterprises.</p>
<p>Article 14 <br />
An enterprise with foreign capital must set up account books in China, conduct independent accounting, submit the fiscal reports and statements as required</p>
<p>and accept supervision by the financial and tax authorities.</p>
<p>If an enterprise with foreign capital refuses to maintain account books in China, the financial and tax authorities may impose a fine on it, and the industry</p>
<p>and commerce administration authorities may order it to suspend operations or may revoke its business licence.</p>
<p>Article 15 <br />
Within the scope of the operations approved, enterprises with foreign capital may purchase, either in China or from the world market, raw and semi-processed</p>
<p>materials, fuels and other materials they need. When these materials are available from both sources on similar terms, first priority should be given to</p>
<p>purchases in China.</p>
<p>Article 16 <br />
Enterprises with foreign capital shall apply to insurance companies in China for such kinds of insurance coverage as are needed.</p>
<p>Article 17 <br />
Enterprises with foreign capital shall pay taxes in accordance with relevant state provisions for tax payment, and may enjoy preferential treatment for</p>
<p>reduction of or exemption from taxes.</p>
<p>An enterprise that reinvests its profits in China after paying the income tax, may, in accordance with relevant state provisions, apply for refund of a part</p>
<p>of the income tax already paid on the reinvested amount.</p>
<p>Article 18 <br />
Enterprises with foreign capital shall handle their foreign exchange transactions in accordance with the state provisions for foreign exchange control.</p>
<p>Enterprises with foreign capital shall open an account with the Bank of China or with a bank designated by the state agency exercising foreign exchange</p>
<p>control. Enterprises with foreign capital shall manage to balance their own foreign exchange receipts and payments. If, with the approval of the competent</p>
<p>authorities, the enterprises market their products in China and consequently experience an imbalance in foreign exchange, the said authorities shall help</p>
<p>them correct the imbalance.</p>
<p>Article 19 <br />
The foreign investor may remit abroad profits that are lawfully earned from an enterprise with foreign capital, as well as other lawful earnings and any</p>
<p>funds remaining after the enterprise is liquidated.Wages, salaries and other legitimate income earned by foreign employees in an enterprise with foreign</p>
<p>capital may be remitted abroad after the payment of individual income tax in accordance with the law.</p>
<p>Article 20 <br />
With respect to the period of operations of an enterprise with foreign capital, the foreign investor shall report to and secure approval from the authorities</p>
<p>in charge of examination and approval. For an extension of the period of operations, an application shall be submitted to the said authorities 180 days</p>
<p>before the expiration of the period. The authorities in charge of examination and approval shall, within 30 days from the date such application is received,</p>
<p>decide whether or not to grant the extension.</p>
<p>Article 21 <br />
When terminating its operations, an enterprise with foreign capital shall promptly issue a public notice and proceed with liquidation in accordance with</p>
<p>legal procedure. Pending the completion of liquidation, a foreign investor may not dispose of the assets of the enterprise except for the purpose of</p>
<p>liquidation.</p>
<p>Article 22 <br />
At the termination of operations, the enterprise with foreign capital shall nullify its registration with the industry and commerce administration</p>
<p>authorities and hand in its business licence for cancellation.</p>
<p>Article 23 <br />
The department under the State Council which is in charge of foreign economic relations and trade shall, in accordance with this Law, formulate rules for its</p>
<p>implementation, which shall go into effect after being submitted to and approved by the State Council.</p>
<p>Article 24 <br />
This Law shall go into effect on the day of its promulgation.</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3771.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:28:37 GMT</pubDate>
	<comments>http://www.goinvestchina.com/review.asp?articleid=3771</comments>
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	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Measures for The Administration on Foreign Investment in Commercial Fields]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3770.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>The Ministry of Commerce of the People''s Republic of China [2004] No.8 　　Measures for the Administration on Foreign Investment in Commercial Fields has</p>
<p>been examined and approved at the sixth excutive meeting of the Ministry of Commerce of the People''s Republic of China and shall be promulgated. It shall be</p>
<p>implemented as of June 1,2004. Bo Xilai, Minister</p>
<p>April 16, 2004</p>
<p>Measures for the Administration on Foreign Investment in Commercial Fields</p>
<p>Article 1 In order to further expand the open-up to the outside world and improve the construction of market circulation system. The present Measures are</p>
<p>hereby formulated in accordance with the Law of the People''s Republic of China on Sino-foreign Equity JointVentures, the Law of the People''s Republic of</p>
<p>China on Sino-foreign Contractual Joint Ventures, Law of the People''s Republic of China on Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprises, and the Company Law, and other</p>
<p>relevant laws and administrative regulations.</p>
<p>Article 2 Where a foreign company, enterprise and other economic organization or individual (hereinafter referred to as &quot;foreign investors&quot;) establishes</p>
<p>foreign-funded commercial enterprises within the China territory and undertakes business activities, the presentMeasures shall be observed.</p>
<p>Article 3 The &quot;foreign-funded commercial enterprises&quot; shall refer to the enterprises with foreign investment which undertake the following business</p>
<p>activities:</p>
<p>1. Commission agency: selling agents, brokers, auctioneers or other wholesalers for goods, who sell goods of other people and provide relevant attaching</p>
<p>services through collecting fees on the basis of contract;</p>
<p>2. Wholesale: Selling goods to retailers, customers of industry, commerce and organizations, or to other wholesalers or providing relevant attaching</p>
<p>services;</p>
<p>3. Retail: providing goods for consumption and use of individuals or groups or offering relevant attaching services in the fixed places or through</p>
<p>television, telephone, mail order, internet, and automats; or</p>
<p>4. Franchising: authorizing other people with using its trademark, trade firm, or mode of management through signing contract for gaining remunerations or</p>
<p>franchising fees.</p>
<p>Foreign companies, enterprises, and other economic organs or individuals shall carry out the business activities as prescribed in items 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the</p>
<p>preceding paragraph through foreign-funded enterprises established within China.</p>
<p>Article 4 Foreign-funded commercial enterprises shall abide by laws, administrative regulations and the relevant rules of the People''s Republic of China.</p>
<p>Their proper business activities and legal rights and interests shall be subject to the protection of the Chinese laws.</p>
<p>Article 5 The competent commerce departments of the state shall make supervision over and administration on foreign investment in commercial fields and the</p>
<p>business activities of foreign-funded commercial enterprises according to law.</p>
<p>Article 6 The foreign investors of the foreign-funded commercial enterprises shall have good credit standing, and have no acts in violation of Chinese laws,</p>
<p>administrative regulations and the relevant rules. Foreign investors who have stronger economic power, advance experiences and marketing technology in</p>
<p>business management, and broad international marketing networks shall be encouraged to establish foreign-funded commercial enterprises.</p>
<p>Article 7 A foreign-funded commercial enterprise shall meet the following requirements:<br />
1. The minimum registered capital shall conform to the relevant provisions of the Company Law.<br />
2. Conforming to the relevant provisions on the registered capital and total investment of the enterprises with foreign investment. And<br />
3. The term of operation of a foreign-funded commercial enterprise shall not exceed 30 years in general, and the term of operation of a foreign-funded</p>
<p>commercial enterprise that is established in the middle and western areas shall not exceed 40 years in general.</p>
<p>Article 8 A foreign-funded commercial enterprise shall meet the following requirements when opening a store:</p>
<p>1. Where it applies for establishing a store at the same time when applying for establishing a commercial enterprise, it shall follow the relevant provisions</p>
<p>on city development and urban commercial development.</p>
<p>2. Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise whose establishment has been approved applies for establishing additional stores, it shall, in addition to</p>
<p>meeting the requirements of item 1, meet the following conditions:<br />
(1) Taking part in the joint annual examination on enterprises with foreign investment and having passed the annual examination; and<br />
(2) The registered capital of the enterprise has been fully paid.</p>
<p>Article 9 Foreign-funded enterprises may operate the following business upon approval:</p>
<p>1. For the foreign-funded commercial enterprises that undertake retailing business:<br />
(1) Retailing of commodities;<br />
(2) Importing of self-managed commodities;<br />
(3) Purchasing domestic products for export; and<br />
(4) Other relevant matching businesses. And</p>
<p>2. For the foreign-funded commercial enterprises that undertake wholesaling business:<br />
(1) Wholesaling of commodities;<br />
(2) Commission agency (excluding auction);<br />
(3) Importing and exporting of goods; and<br />
(4) Other relevant matching businesses.<br />
　　A foreign-funded commercial enterprise may authorize others to open stores by way of franchising.<br />
　　A foreign-funded commercial enterprise may, upon approval, undertake one kind or several kinds of sales businesses. The kinds of commodities it manages</p>
<p>shall be specified in the contents regarding business scope as prescribed in the contract or articles of association.</p>
<p>Article 10 The following procedures shall be followed when handling the establishment and opening of stores by a foreign-funded commercial enterprise:</p>
<p>1. The project initiation, feasibility study report of the foreign-funded enterprise, and the report and verification on the establishment of the enterprises</p>
<p>once altogether.</p>
<p>2. Except the provisions in items (3) and (4) of paragraph one of the present Article, the investors of the foreign-funded commercial enterprises to be</p>
<p>established and the already established foreign-funded commercial enterprises that apply for opening stores shall submit respectively the application</p>
<p>documents as prescribed in Article 12 and Article 13 to the competent commerce department at the level of the province where the foreign-funded commercial</p>
<p>enterprise makes registration. The said competent commerce department at the provincial level shall, after making preliminary examination on the document</p>
<p>ssubmitted, report to the Ministry of Commerce within one month from the date of receiving all the application documents.　　The Ministry of Commerce shall</p>
<p>make decision on whether to approve the application within 3 months from the date of receiving all the application documents. If it approves the</p>
<p>establishment, the Certificate of Approval for Foreign-funded Enterprises shall be issued; if it does not approve it, the reasons thereof shall be explained.<br />
The Ministry of Commerce may authorize the competent commerce departments at the provincial level to examine and approve the foregoing applications in</p>
<p>accordance with the present Measures.</p>
<p>3. Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise, which undertakes the retail business opens stores within the administrative region at the level of the</p>
<p>province of its locality, and meets the following conditions and its business scope does not concern the sale of television, telephone, mail order, internet,</p>
<p>or automats, and the commodities as enumerated in Articles 17 and 18 of the present Measures, the said competent commercedepartment of the province shall</p>
<p>examine and approve it within the power of its examination and approval and report it to and put it on records at the Ministry of Commerce.<br />
(1) The business area of a single store does not exceed 3,000 square meters, and the number of stores does not exceed 3, and the total number of the similar</p>
<p>stores established by foreign investors of the stores within China through the foreign-funded commercial enterprises they have established does not exceed</p>
<p>30; and<br />
(2) The business area of a single store does not exceed 300 square meters, and the number of stores does not exceed 30, the total number of similar stores</p>
<p>opened in China by foreign investors of these stores through the foreign-funded commercial enterprises they have established does not exceed 300. And</p>
<p>4. Where the owners of the trademark or business name of a Sino-foreign equity joint venture or cooperative commercial enterprise are Chinese-funded</p>
<p>enterprises or Chinese natural persons, and the Chinese investors have the controlling shares in the foreign-funded commercial enterprise, and the business</p>
<p>scope of the foreign-funded commercial enterprise does not concern the commodities as enumerated in Articles 17 and 18 of the present Measures, its</p>
<p>applications for establishment and opening stores shall be examined and approved by the competent commercedepartment at the level of the province where the</p>
<p>enterprise is located.　　If a store is opened in a different province, the opinions of the competent commerce department at the level of the province where</p>
<p>the planned store is located shall also be consulted.　　The competent commerce department at the provincial level shall not transfer the power for</p>
<p>examination and approval as prescribed in items (3) and (4) of paragraph 1 of the present Article by itself to a lower level without the authorization of the</p>
<p>Ministry of Commerce.</p>
<p>Article 11 The investors shall, within one month after receiving the certificate of approval, go through the registration formalities at the administrative</p>
<p>department for industry and commerce upon the strength of the Certificate of Approval for Foreign-funded Enterprises.</p>
<p>Article 12 The following documents shall be submitted when applying for establishing a foreign-funded commercial enterprise:</p>
<p>1. Application letter;<br />
2. Feasibility study report signed by all the investors together;<br />
3. Contract, articles of association (for a foreign-funded commercial enterprise, only the articles of association should be submitted) and the attachment;<br />
4. Bank credit certificates of all investors, registration certificate (photocopy), certificate of the legal representative (photocopy), if the foreign</p>
<p>investor is an individual, his/her identity certificate shall be provided;<br />
5. The audit report of all investors in the recent one year, which is audited by accountant firms;<br />
6. The evaluation report on state-owned assets invested into the Sino-equity joint venture or contractual joint venture commercial enterprises by Chinese</p>
<p>investors;<br />
7. Catalogues of import and export commodities of the planned foreign-funded commercial enterprise;<br />
8. Name list of the members of the board of directors of the planned foreign-funded commercial enterprise and the power of attorney for directors of each</p>
<p>investor;<br />
9. Notice of pre-approval of the enterprise name as issued by the administrative department for industry and commerce;<br />
10. The certificate documents (photocopy) of the use right of the land used for the planned store and (or) house lease agreement (photocopy), except when the</p>
<p>business area of the store to be opened is less than 3,000 square meters; and<br />
11. The documents of statement in conformity with the requirements for city development and urban commercial development as issued by the competent commerce</p>
<p>department of the government at the locality of the store.</p>
<p>In case that the documents are signed by a person who is not the legal representative, the power of attorney of the legal representative shall be issued.</p>
<p>Article 13 Where an already established foreign-funded commercial enterprise applies for opening a store, it shall submit the following documents:<br />
1. Application letter;<br />
2. The revised contract or articles of association shall be submitted in case the amendments to the contract or articles of association are involved;<br />
3. Feasibility study report on opening the store;<br />
4. Resolutions of the board of directors on opening the store;<br />
5. The audit report of the enterprise in the recent one year;<br />
6. The capital verification report of the enterprise (photocopy);<br />
7. Registration certificate (photocopy) of all the investors, and the certificate of the legal representative (photocopy);<br />
8. Certificate documents of the use right of the land that is used for the store to be opened and (or) house lease agreement (photocopy), except when the</p>
<p>business area of the store opened is less than 3,000 square meters; and<br />
9. The documents of statement in conformity with the requirements for city development and the commercial development of the city as issued by the government</p>
<p>where the planned store is located.</p>
<p>In case the document is signed by the person who is not the legal representative, the power of attorney of the legal representative shall be issued.</p>
<p>Article 14 The license contract for use of a trademark or a business name, technology transfer contract, management contract and service contract signed by a</p>
<p>foreign-funded commercial enterprise, and other legal documents shall be deemed as the attachment of the contract (for a foreign-funded commercial</p>
<p>enterprises, it shall be deemed as the attachment of the articles of association) and be submitted along with all the other documents.</p>
<p>Article 15 The foreign-funded commercial enterprises shall, when opening a store, obtain the land for commercial use by way of public invitation of bidding,</p>
<p>auction or listing in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and administrative regulations of the state on land management.</p>
<p>Article 16 Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise manages the commodities on which the state has special provisions and the import and export goods</p>
<p>involving quota or license administration, it shall go through the formalities in accordance with the relevant state provisions.</p>
<p>Article 17 A foreign-funded commercial enterprise shall, when undertaking the following commodities, conform to the following prescriptions in addition to</p>
<p>the provisions of the present Measures:</p>
<p>Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise undertakes books, newspapers orperiodicals, it shall conform to the Measures for the Administration of Foreign-</p>
<p>funded Distribution Enterprises of Books, Newspapers, or Periodicals;</p>
<p>Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise undertakes gas station and deals with retail of refined oil, it shall have stable channel for supply of refined</p>
<p>oil, conform to the construction plan of the local oil station, with the business establishments thereof corresponding with the existing state standards and</p>
<p>the provisions on computation and checking procedures, and meet the requirements for fire control and environmental protection, etc. In addition, the</p>
<p>specific implementation measures shall be formulated by the Ministry of Commerce.</p>
<p>Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise manages drugs, it shall conform to the relevant standards for the administration of the drug sale. In addition,</p>
<p>the specific implementation measures shall be formulated by the Ministry of Commerce.</p>
<p>Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise manages automobiles, it shall manage within the approved business scope. In addition, the specific</p>
<p>implementation measures shall be formulated by the Ministry of Commerce.</p>
<p>Except the special provisions in Article 18 of the present Measures and the present Article, if foreign investors establish commercial enterprises of farm</p>
<p>products and by-products, and agricultural production materials, they shall not be restricted by the region, proportion of share, and the amount of</p>
<p>investment.</p>
<p>No wholesaling foreign-funded commercial enterprises may manage drugs, pesticides and agricultural films before December 11, 2004, nor shall they manage</p>
<p>fertilizers, refined oil and crude oil before February 11, 2006.</p>
<p>No retailing foreign-funded enterprises may manage drugs, pesticides, agricultural films and refined oil before December 11, 2004, nor shall they manage</p>
<p>fertilizers before December 11, 2006.</p>
<p>No wholesaling foreign-funded commercial enterprises may manage salt or tobacco, and no retailing foreign-funded commercial enterprises may manage tobacco.</p>
<p>Article 18 Under the circumstance that the same foreign investor opens more than 30 stores accumulatively within China, if the goods it manages include</p>
<p>books, newspapers, magazines, automobiles (this restriction shall be cancelled from December 11, 2006), drugs, pesticides, agricultural films, fertilizers,</p>
<p>refined oils, food, vegetable oil, sugar, cotton, and other commodities, and the above commodities are of different brands and come from different suppliers,</p>
<p>the proportion of capital contribution of the foreign investors shall not exceed 49%.</p>
<p>Article 19 Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise authorizes others to open stores by way of franchising, it shall, in addition to observing the</p>
<p>provisions of the present Measures, observe the special provisions of the state on franchising if any.</p>
<p>Article 20 Where a foreign-funded commercial enterprise manages auction business, it shall accord with the Auction Law, Laws on Cultural Relics, and other</p>
<p>relevant laws, and shall be examined and approved by the Ministry of Commerce. The specific implementation measures shall be formulated additionally.</p>
<p>Article 21 The establishment of foreign-funded commercial enterprises shall be allowed from December 11, 2004.</p>
<p>Article 22 The regions where a foreign-funded retail commercial enterprise and its stores may be established shall be restricted to the provincial capital</p>
<p>cities, metropolis of autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities directly under state planning, and special economic</p>
<p>zones before December 11, 2004, and the regional restrictions shall be cancelled after December 11, 2004.</p>
<p>Regional restrictions on foreign-funded wholesaling commercial enterprises shall be cancelled from the date of implementation of the present Measures.</p>
<p>Article 23 Where an enterprise with foreign investment invests in commercial fields within the territory of China, it shall accord with the Interim</p>
<p>Provisions on Investment of Foreign-funded Enterprises in China, and refer to the present Measures.</p>
<p>Article 24 Other foreign-funded enterprises undertaking the business activities as enumerated in Article 3 of the present Measures except the foreign-funded</p>
<p>commercial enterprises, shall conform to the provisions of the present Measures, and alter by law the business scope accordingly.</p>
<p>Article 25 Where investors from Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, and from Taiwan region, who invest to establish</p>
<p>commercial enterprises in other provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government, shall refer to the present Measures</p>
<p>in addition to the following prescriptions:</p>
<p>1. From January 1, 2004, commercial service providers of Hong Kong and Macao may establish foreign-funded commercial enterprises in the Mainland.<br />
2. The regional scope of retail enterprises established in the Mainland by Hong Kong and Macao commercial service providers shall be extended to cities at</p>
<p>the prefecture level, and the cities at the county level in Guangdong province.<br />
3. From January 1, 2004, the commercial service providers of Hong Kong and Macao may apply according to the relevant articles of the present Measures to</p>
<p>establish commercial enterprises that undertake automobile retail business, but their average sales volume per annum in the past three years before</p>
<p>application shall be no less than one hundred million dollars; and the amount of capital in the previous year before application shall be no less than 10</p>
<p>million dollars; the minimum registered capital of an automobile retailing enterprise, which is established in the Mainland shall be RMB 10 million Yuan, and</p>
<p>the minimum registered capital of an automobile retailing enterprise, which is established in the middle and western districts shall be RMB 6 million Yuan.<br />
4. The Chinese citizens among the Hong Kong and Macao permanent residents are allowed to establish individual business according to the relevant laws,</p>
<p>regulations and rules to undertake commercial retail activities (excluding franchising), the business areas thereof shall not exceed 300square meters.<br />
5. The Hong Kong/Macao commercial service providers as mentioned in this Article shall conform to the definitions of and the relevant requirements for</p>
<p>&quot;service providers&quot; as prescribed in the &quot;Mainland/Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangements&quot; and the &quot;Mainland/Macao Closer Economic Partnership</p>
<p>Arrangements&quot;.</p>
<p>Article 26 The foreign-funded commercial enterprises shall be encouraged to join in the relevant trade associations to strengthen self-discipline of the</p>
<p>enterprises.</p>
<p>Article 27 The responsibility to interpret the present Measures shall be remained with the Ministry of Commerce.</p>
<p>Article 28 The present Measures shall be implemented as of June 1, 2004.</p>
<p>Article 29 The Measures for Trial Implementation of the Foreign-funded Commercial Enterprises as promulgated jointly by the former State Economic and Trade</p>
<p>Commission and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation shall be abolished as of the date of the implementation of the present Measures.</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3770.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:20:23 GMT</pubDate>
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	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Law of the People&#39;s Republic of China on Individual Income Tax]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3769.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>Order of the President of the People's Republic of China</p>
<p>No. 44</p>
<p>The Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Amending the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China, adopted at the 18th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on October 27, 2005, is hereby promulgated and shall go into effect as of January 1, 2006.</p>
<p>Hu Jintao</p>
<p>President of the People's Republic of China</p>
<p>October 27, 2005</p>
<p>Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Amending the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China</p>
<p>(Adopted at the 18th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress on October 27, 2005)</p>
<p>At its 18th Meeting, the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress decides to amend the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China as follows:</p>
<p>1.Subparagraph (1) in the first paragraph of Article 6 is revised to read, &ldquo;For income from wages and salaries, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of 1,600 yuan for expenses from a monthly income.&rdquo; At the same time, the Note attached to Schedule 1 on Individual Income Tax Rates shall be revised accordingly.</p>
<p>2.Article 8 is revised to read, &ldquo;For individual income tax, the income earner shall be the taxpayer, and the paying unit or individual shall be the withholding agent. If a taxpayer&rsquo;s individual income exceeds the amount specified by the State Council, or a taxpayer receives wages or salaries from two or more sources, or there is no withholding agent, or under other circumstances specified by the State Council, the taxpayer shall file returns and pay tax in accordance with State regulations. The withholding agent shall, in accordance with State regulations, file the returns of all the taxpayers and the full amount of the tax withheld.&rdquo;</p>
<p>This Decision shall go into effect as of January 1, 2006.</p>
<p>The Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China shall be amended correspondingly in accordance with this Decision and promulgated anew.</p>
<p>Law of the People's Republic of China on Individual Income Tax</p>
<p>(Adopted at the Third Session of the Fifth National People's Congress on September 10, 1980, revised for the first time in accordance with the Decision on Amending the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China adopted at the 4th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress on October 31, 1993, revised for the second time in accordance with the Decision on Amending the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on August 30, 1999, and revised for the third time in accordance with the Decision on Amending the Individual Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China adopted at the 18th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress on October 27, 2005 )</p>
<p>Article 1 Individual income tax shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of this Law by individuals who have domiciles in the People's Republic of China, or who have no domicile in China but have resided in the country for one year or more on their income gained within or outside China.</p>
<p>Individuals who have no domiciles and do not reside in the People's Republic of China or who have no domiciles but have resided in China for less than one year shall, in accordance with the provisions of this Law, pay individual income tax on their income gained within China.</p>
<p>Article 2 Individual income tax shall be paid on the following categories of individual income:</p>
<p>(1) income from wages and salaries;</p>
<p>(2) income from production or business operation conducted by self-employed industrial and commercial households;</p>
<p>(3) income from contracted or leased operation of enterprises or institutions;</p>
<p>(4) income from remuneration for personal services;</p>
<p>(5) income from author's remuneration;</p>
<p>(6) income from royalties;</p>
<p>(7) income from interest, dividends and bonuses;</p>
<p>(8) income from the lease of property;</p>
<p>(9) income from the transfer of property;</p>
<p>(10) incidental income; and</p>
<p>(11) income from other sources specified as taxable by the department of finance under the State Council.</p>
<p>Article 3 Individual income tax rates:</p>
<p>(1) For income from wages and salaries in excess of the specified amounts, the progressive rates ranging from 5 percent to 45 percent shall apply (see the appended schedule of tax rates).</p>
<p>(2) For income of self-employed industrial and commercial households from production or business operation and income of enterprises or institutions from contracted or leased operation that are in excess of the specified amounts, the progressive rates ranging from 5 percent to 35 percent shall apply (see the appended schedule of tax rates).</p>
<p>(3) For income from author's remuneration, a flat rate, which is 20 percent, shall apply, and the amount of tax payable shall, however, be reduced by 30 percent.</p>
<p>(4) For income from remuneration for personal services, a flat rate, which is 20 percent, shall apply. Where income gained at one time from remuneration for personal services is extremely high, an additive tax may be levied. The specific measures in this regard shall be prescribed by the State Council.</p>
<p>(5) For income from royalties, interest, dividends, bonuses, lease of property or transfer of property, incidental income or income from other sources, a flat rate, which is 20 percent, shall apply.</p>
<p>Article 4 The following categories of individual income shall be exempted from individual income tax:</p>
<p>(1) awards for achievements in such fields as science, education, technology, culture, public health, sports and environmental protection granted by people's governments at the provincial level, ministries and commissions under the State Council, units of the Chinese People's Liberation Army at or above the corps level, or by foreign or international organizations;</p>
<p>(2) interest on national debts and financial debentures issued by the State;</p>
<p>(3) subsidies and allowances given according to the uniform regulations of the State;</p>
<p>(4) welfare benefits, pensions for the family of the deceased and relief payments;</p>
<p>(5) insurance indemnities;</p>
<p>(6) military severance pay and demobilization pay for army men;</p>
<p>(7) settlement pay, severance pay, retirement pay, as well as full-pay retirement pension for veteran cadres and their living allowances, received by cadres, staff and workers according to the uniform regulations of the State;</p>
<p>(8) income, exempted from tax according to the provisions of the relevant laws of China, of diplomatic representatives and consular officers and other personnel of foreign embassies and consulates in China;</p>
<p>(9) income exempted from tax as stipulated in the international conventions to which the Chinese Government has acceded or in agreements it has signed; and</p>
<p>(10) income exempted from tax with the approval of the department of finance under the State Council.</p>
<p>Article 5 In one of the following circumstances, individual income tax may be reduced upon approval:</p>
<p>(1) income of the disabled, the aged without families, or family members of martyrs;</p>
<p>(2) suffering great losses from serious natural disasters; or</p>
<p>(3) other cases where tax is reduced upon approval by the department of finance under the State Council.</p>
<p>Article 6 The amount of taxable income shall be computed as follows:</p>
<p>(1) For income from wages and salaries, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of 1,600 yuan for expenses from a monthly income;</p>
<p>(2) For income from production or business operation gained by self-employed industrial and commercial households, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of the costs, expenses and losses from the gross income in a tax year;</p>
<p>(3) For income from contracted or leased operation of enterprises or institutions, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of the necessary expenses from the gross income in a tax year;</p>
<p>(4) For income from remuneration for personal services, author's remuneration, royalties and lease of property, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of 800 yuan for expenses from the amount received in a single payment not exceeding 4,000 yuan; or after deduction of 20 percent from the amount for a single payment of 4,000 yuan or more;</p>
<p>(5) For income from the transfer of property, the amount of taxable income shall be the part remaining after deduction of the original value of the property and the reasonable expenses from the income gained from such transfer; and</p>
<p>(6) For interest, dividends, bonuses, incidental income and income from other sources, the amount of taxable income shall be the full amount received in each payment.</p>
<p>The part of individual income donated to educational and other public welfare undertakings shall be deducted from the amount of taxable income in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State Council.</p>
<p>For taxpayers who have no domiciles in China but obtain wages or salaries within China, or who have domiciles in China but obtain wages or salaries outside China, an additional deduction of expenses may be determined on the basis of the average income level, living standard and the changes in exchange rates. The applicable scope and standard of the additional deduction of expenses shall be prescribed by the State Council.</p>
<p>Article 7 For income gained by taxpayers from outside China, the amount of individual income tax paid outside China shall be permitted to be deducted from the amount of tax payable. The amount to be deducted, however, shall not exceed the amount of tax payable as calculated according to the provisions of this Law on income gained by the taxpayers from outside China.</p>
<p>Article 8 For individual income tax, the income earner shall be the taxpayer, and the paying unit or individual shall be the withholding agent. If a taxpayer&rsquo;s individual income exceeds the amount specified by the State Council, or a taxpayer receives wages or salaries from two or more sources, or there is no withholding agent, or under other circumstances specified by the State Council, the taxpayer shall file returns and pay tax in accordance with State regulations. The withholding agent shall, in accordance with State regulations, file the returns of all the taxpayers and the full amount of the tax withheld.</p>
<p>Article 9 The tax withheld each month by a withholding agent and the tax paid each month by a taxpayer personally filing tax returns shall be turned in to the State Treasury within the first seven days of the following month and the tax returns submitted to the tax authorities.</p>
<p>The tax payable on income from wages and salaries shall be computed on a monthly basis and turned in by the withholding agents or by the taxpayers to the State Treasury within the first seven days of the following month and the tax returns submitted to the tax authorities. The tax payable on income from wages and salaries for specified trades may be computed on an annual basis and paid in advance in monthly installments, and the specific measures therefor shall be formulated by the State Council.</p>
<p>The tax payable on income gained by self-employed industrial and commercial households from production or business operation shall be computed on an annual basis and paid in advance in monthly installments. Such payment shall be made in advance by taxpayers within the first seven days of the following month, and final settlement shall be made within three months after the end of each year; any excess payment shall be refunded and any deficiency repaid.</p>
<p>The tax payable on income of enterprises and institutions from contracted or leased operation shall be computed on an annual basis and turned in by taxpayers to the State Treasury within 30 days after the end of each year and the tax returns submitted to the tax authorities. Taxpayers who gain income from contracted or leased operation in installments during a year shall pay tax in advance within the first seven days after each installment, and final settlement shall be made within three months after the end of each year; any excess payment shall be refunded and any deficiency repaid.</p>
<p>Taxpayers who earn income outside China shall pay tax to the State Treasury within 30 days after the end of each year and submit the tax returns to the tax authorities.</p>
<p>Article 10 All categories of income shall be computed in terms of Renminbi (RMB). Income in foreign currency shall be taxed on the equivalent amount converted into Renminbi according to the foreign exchange rate quoted by the State exchange control authorities.</p>
<p>Article 11 A service fee at the rate of 2 percent of the amount of tax withheld shall be paid to the withholding agent.</p>
<p>Article 12 The time to start the collection of individual income tax on interest income from savings deposit and the measures therefor shall be prescribed by the State Council.</p>
<p>Article 13 The administration of individual income tax collection shall be governed by the provisions of the Law of the People's Republic of China on the Administration of Tax Collection.</p>
<p>Article 14 The State Council shall, in accordance with this Law, formulate regulations for its implementation.</p>
<p>Article 15 This Law shall go into effect as of the date of its promulgation.</p>
<p>Schedule 1</p>
<p>Individual Income Tax Rates</p>
<p>(Applicable to income from wages and salaries)</p>
<p>Grade&nbsp; Monthly Taxable Income&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tax Rate(%)</p>
<p>1&nbsp;&nbsp; Income of 500 yuan or less&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5</p>
<p>2&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 500 to 2,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 10</p>
<p>3&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 2,000 to 5,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 15</p>
<p>4&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 5,000 to 20,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 20</p>
<p>5&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 20,000 to 40,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 25</p>
<p>6&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 40,000 to 60,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 30</p>
<p>7&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 60,000 to 80,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 35</p>
<p>8&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 80,000 to 100,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp; 40</p>
<p>9&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 100,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 45</p>
<p>(Note: &quot;Monthly taxable income&quot; mentioned in this schedule refers to the amount remaining after deduction of 1,600 yuan for expenses or an additional deduction of expenses from monthly income in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of this Law.)</p>
<p>Schedule 2</p>
<p>Individual Income Tax Rates</p>
<p>(Applicable to income gained by self-employed industrial and commercial households from production or business operation and income gained by enterprises and institutions from contracted or leased operation)</p>
<p>Grade&nbsp; Monthly Taxable Income&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Tax Rate(%)</p>
<p>1&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Income of 5,000 yuan or less&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 5</p>
<p>2&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 5,000 to 10,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp; 10</p>
<p>3&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 10,000 to 30,000 yuan&nbsp; 20</p>
<p>4&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 30,000 to 50,000 yuan&nbsp; 30</p>
<p>5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That part of income in excess of 50,000 yuan&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 35</p>
<p>(Note: &quot;Annual taxable income&quot; mentioned in this schedule refers to the amount remaining after deduction of the costs, expenses and losses from the gross income in a tax year in accordance with the provisions of Article 6 of this Law.)</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p> …… [<a href="http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3769.htm">See Detail</a>] ]]></description>
	<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 11:16:23 GMT</pubDate>
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	<item>
	<title><![CDATA[Law of the people&#39;s republic of China on employment]]></title>
	<link>http://www.goinvestchina.com//articleview/2008-7-24/article_view_3768.htm</link>
	<description><![CDATA[<p>Adopted at the 28th Session of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress on June 29, 2007<br />
Effective from January 1, 2008</p>
<p><br />
CHAPTER 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS&nbsp; <br />
Article 1</p>
<p>This Law has been formulated in order to improve the employment contract system, to specify the rights and obligations of the parties to employment</p>
<p>contracts, to protect the lawful rights and interests of Employees and to build and develop harmonious and stable employment relationships.</p>
<p>Article 2<br />
This Law governs the establishment of employment relationships between, and the conclusion, performance, amendment, termination and ending of employment</p>
<p>contracts by, organizations such as enterprises, individual economic organizations and private non-enterprise units in the People's Republic of China</p>
<p>(&ldquo;Employers&rdquo;) on the one hand and Employees in the People's Republic of China on the other hand.</p>
<p>The conclusion, performance, amendment, termination and ending of employment contracts by state authorities, institutions or social organizations on the one</p>
<p>hand and Employees with whom they establish employment relationships on the other hand, shall be handled pursuant to this Law.</p>
<p>Article 3<br />
The conclusion of employment contracts shall comply with the principles of lawfulness, fairness, equality, free will, negotiated consensus and good faith. <br />
A lawfully concluded employment contract is binding, and both the Employer and the Employee shall perform their respective obligations stipulated therein.</p>
<p>Article 4<br />
Employers shall establish and improve internal rules and regulations, so as to ensure that Employees enjoy their labor rights and perform their labor</p>
<p>obligations.</p>
<p>When an Employer formulates, revises or decides on rules and regulations, or material matters, that have a direct bearing on the immediate interests of its</p>
<p>Employees, such as those concerning compensation, work hours, rest, leave, work safety and hygiene, insurance, benefits, employee training, work discipline</p>
<p>or work quota management, the same shall be discussed by the employee representative congress or all the employees. The employee representative congress or</p>
<p>all the employees, as the case may be, shall put forward a proposal and comments, whereupon the matter shall be determined through consultations with the</p>
<p>Trade union or employee representatives conducted on a basis of equality.</p>
<p>If, during the implementation of an Employer's rule or regulation or decision on a crucial matter, the Trade union or an employee is of the opinion that the</p>
<p>same is inappropriate, it or he is entitled to communicate such opinion to the Employer, and the rule, regulation or decision shall be improved by making</p>
<p>amendments after consultations.</p>
<p>Rules and regulations, and decisions on material matters, that have a direct bearing on the immediate interests of Employees shall be made public or be</p>
<p>communicated to the Employees by the Employer.</p>
<p>Article 5<br />
The labor administration authorities of People's Governments at the county level and above, together with the Trade union and enterprise representatives,</p>
<p>shall establish a comprehensive tri-partite mechanism for the coordination of employment relationships, in order to jointly study and resolve major issues</p>
<p>concerning employment relationships.</p>
<p>Article 6<br />
A Trade union shall assist and guide Employees in the conclusion of employment contracts with their Employer and the performance thereof in accordance with</p>
<p>the law, and establish a collective bargaining mechanism with the Employer in order to safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Employees.</p>
<p>CHAPTER 2 CONCLUSION OF EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS</p>
<p>Article 7<br />
An Employer's employment relationship with a Employee is established on the date it starts using the Employee. An Employer shall keep a register of</p>
<p>employees, for reference purposes.</p>
<p>Article 8<br />
When an Employer hires a Employee, it shall truthfully inform him as to the content of the work, the working conditions, the place of work, occupational</p>
<p>hazards, production safety conditions, labor compensation and other matters which the Employee requests to be informed about. The Employer has the right to</p>
<p>learn from the Employee basic information which directly relates to the employment contract, and the Employee shall truthfully provide the same.</p>
<p>Article 9<br />
When hiring a Employee, an Employer may not retain the Employee's resident ID card or other papers, nor may it require him to provide security or collect</p>
<p>property from him under some other guise.</p>
<p>Article 10<br />
To establish an employment relationship, a written employment contract shall be concluded.</p>
<p>In the event that no written employment contract was concluded at the time of establishment of an employment relationship, a written employment contract</p>
<p>shall be concluded within one month after the date on which the Employer starts using the Employee.</p>
<p>Where an Employer and a Employee conclude an employment contract before the Employer starts using the Employee, the employment relationship shall be</p>
<p>established on the date on which the Employer starts using the Employee.</p>
<p>Article 11<br />
In the event that an Employer fails to conclude a written employment contract with a Employee at the time its starts to use him, and it is not clear what</p>
<p>labor compensation was agreed upon with the Employee, the labor compensation of the new Employee shall be decided pursuant to the rate specified in the</p>
<p>collective contract; where there is no collective contract or the collective contract is silent on the matter, equal pay shall be given for equal work.</p>
<p>Article 12<br />
Employment contracts are divided into fixed-term employment contracts, open-ended employment contracts and employment contracts to expire upon completion of</p>
<p>a certain job.</p>
<p>Article 13<br />
A &ldquo;fixed-term employment contract&rdquo; is an employment contract whose ending date is agreed upon by the Employer and the Employee.</p>
<p>An Employer and a Employee may conclude a fixed-term employment contract upon reaching a negotiated consensus.</p>
<p>Article 14<br />
An &ldquo;open-ended employment contract&rdquo; is an employment contract for which the Employer and the Employee have agreed not to stipulate a definite ending date. <br />
An Employer and a Employee may conclude an open-ended employment contract upon reaching a negotiated consensus. If a Employee proposes or agrees to renew his</p>
<p>employment contract or to conclude an employment contract in any of the following circumstances, an open-ended employment contract shall be concluded, unless</p>
<p>the Employee requests the conclusion of a fixed-term employment contract:</p>
<p>(1) The Employee has been working for the Employer for a consecutive period of not less than 10 years;</p>
<p>(2) when his Employer introduces the employment contract system or the state owned enterprise that employs him re-concludes its employment contracts as a</p>
<p>result of restructuring, the Employee has been working for the Employer for a consecutive period of not less than 10 years and is less than 10 years away</p>
<p>from his legal retirement age; or</p>
<p>(3) prior to the renewal, a fixed-term employment contract was concluded on two consecutive occasions and the Employee is not characterized by any of the</p>
<p>circumstances set forth in Article 39 and items (1) and (2) of Article 40 hereof.</p>
<p>If an Employer fails to conclude a written employment contract with a Employee within one year from the date on which it starts using the Employee, the</p>
<p>Employer and the Employee shall be deemed to have concluded an open-ended employment contract.</p>
<p>Article 15<br />
An &ldquo;employment contract with a term to expire upon completion of a certain job&rdquo; is an employment contract in which the Employer and the Employee have</p>
<p>agreed that the completion of a certain job is the term of the contract.</p>
<p>An Employer and a Employee may, upon reaching a negotiated consensus, conclude an employment contract with a term to expire upon completion of a certain job.</p>
<p>Article 16<br />
An employment contract shall become effective when the Employer and the Employee have reached a negotiated consensus thereon and each of them has signed or</p>
<p>sealed the text of such contract.</p>
<p>The Employer and the Employee shall each hold one copy of the employment contract.</p>
<p>Article 17<br />
An employment contract shall specify the following matters: <br />
(1) The name, domicile and legal representative or main person in charge of the Employer; <br />
(2) The name, domicile and number of the resident ID card or other valid identity document of the Employee; <br />
(3) The term of the employment contract; <br />
(4) The job des cription and the place of work; <br />
(5) Working hours, rest and leave; <br />
(6) Labor compensation; <br />
(7) Social insurance; <br />
(8) Labor protection, working conditions and protection against occupational hazards; and <br />
(9) Other matters which laws and statutes require to be included in employment contracts.</p>
<p>In addition to the requisite terms mentioned above, an Employer and a Employee may agree to stipulate other matters in the employment contract, such as</p>
<p>probation period, training, confidentiality, supplementary insurance and benefits, etc.</p>
<p>Article 18<br />
If a dispute arises due to the fact that the rate or standards for labor compensation or working conditions, etc. are not explicitly specified in the</p>
<p>employment contract, the Employer and the Employee may renegotiate. If the negotiations are unsuccessful, the provisions of the collective contract shall</p>
<p>apply. If there is no collective contract or the collective contract is silent on the issue of labor compensation, equal pay shall be given for equal work;</p>
<p>if there is no collective contract or the collective contract is silent on the issue of working conditions, the relevant regulations of the state shall</p>
<p>apply.</p>
<p>Article 19<br />
If an employment contract has a term of not less than three months but less than one year, the probation period may not exceed one month; if an employment</p>
<p>contract has a term of more than one year and less than three years, the probation period may not exceed two months; and if an employment contract has a term</p>
<p>of not less than three years or is open-ended, the probation period may not exceed six months.</p>
<p>An Employer may stipulate only one probation period with any given Employee.</p>
<p>No probation period may be specified in an employment contract with a term to expire upon completion of a certain job or an employment contract with a term</p>
<p>of less than three months.</p>
<p>The probation period shall be included in the term of the employment contract. If an employment contract provides for a probation period only, then there is</p>
<p>no probation period and the term concerned shall be the term of the employment contract.</p>
<p>Article 20<br />
The wages of a Employee on probation may not be less than the lowest wage level for the same job with the Employer or less than 80 percent of the wage agreed</p>
<p>upon in the employment contract, and may not be less than the minimum wage rate in the place where the Employer is located.</p>
<p>Article 21<br />
An Employer may not terminate an employment contract during the probation period unless the Employee is characterized by any of the circumstances set forth</p>
<p>in Article 39 and items (1) and (2) of Article 40 hereof. If an Employer terminates an employment contract during the probation period, it shall expl