Brazilian Laws

MEASURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN-RELATED INVESTIGATION

National Bureau of Statistics

Order of the National Bureau of Statistics of People’s Republic of China

No. 7

The Measures for the Administration of Foreign-related Investigation, adopted at the 5th executive meeting of the National Bureau
of Statistics on July 19th, 2004, are hereby promulgated and shall be implemented as of the date of promulgation.

Director of the National Bureau of Statistics, Li Deshui

October 13th, 2004

Measures for the Administration of Foreign-related Investigation

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1

With a view to strengthening the regulation and administration of foreign-related investigation, safeguarding the national security
and public interest and protecting the legal rights and interests of the investigating institutions and the respondents, these Measures
are formulated in accordance with the Statistics Law of the People’s Republic of China and the detailed rules for the implementation
thereof for the purpose of.

Article 2

For the purpose of the present Measures, foreign-related investigation includes:

(1)

market investigation and social investigation conducted under the entrustment or financial aid of any overseas organization, individual
or agency in China of any overseas organization;

(2)

market investigation and social investigations conducted in cooperation with any overseas organization, individual or agency in China
of any overseas organization;

(3)

market investigation lawfully conducted by the agency in China of any overseas organization; and

(4)

market investigation and social investigations whose materials and results are to be provided to any overseas organization, individual
or agency in China of any overseas organization.

Article 3

For the purpose of these Measures, market investigation means any activity of collecting and sorting out information concerning the
performance and prospects of certain commodities and commercial service.

For the purpose of these Measures, social investigation means any activity, other than market investigation, of collecting and sorting
out certain social information by means of questionnaire, interview, observation or any other means.

In these Measures, “overseas” means outside the customs territory of the People’s Republic of China; “in China” means in the customs
territory of the People’s Republic of China.

For the purpose of these Measures, the agency in China of an overseas organization means the branch or permanent representative office
of the organization as established in China with the approval of the Chinese government.

A foreign-related investigation institution referred to herein means any institution that has obtained a permit for foreign-related
investigation according to law.

Article 4

The National Bureau of Statistics shall, in conjunction with the relevant departments of the State Council, be responsible for supervising
and administrating foreign-related investigation of the whole country. The authorities for statistics of the local people’s governments
at the level of county or above shall, in conjunction with the relevant departments of people’s government at the same level, be
responsible for the supervision over and administration of foreign-related investigation in their respective administrative regions.

Article 5

The National Bureau of Statistics and the departments for statistics of the people’s government at the provincial level and the functionaries
thereof shall keep confidential the business secret they learned of during the administration of foreign-related investigations.

Article 6

Anyone who is engaged in a foreign-related investigation shall comply with the Chinese laws, administrative regulations, rules and
the relevant provisions of the State.

Article 7

No organization or individual may carry out any foreign-related investigation that may result in the following consequences:

(1)

violation of the basic principles of the Constitution;

(2)

endangering the unity, sovereignty or territorial integrity of the state;

(3)

stealing, spying out, buying or divulgence of any national secret or information which may endanger the national security or impair
the national interest;

(4)

violation of the religious policy of the state or disruption of ethnic solidarity;

(5)

disturbance of the social economic order, undermining of social stability or harm to the public interest;

(6)

propagation of any cult or superstitions;

(7)

any fraud that may infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of others; or

(8)

any other circumstances as provided for by laws, regulations, rules or relevant provisions of the State.

Article 8

The State shall establish a qualification confirmation system for the administration of foreign-related investigation institutions
and an examination and approval system for the control of foreign-related social investigation projects.

Article 9

Any foreign-related market investigation must be handled through a foreign-related investigation institution, and any foreign-related
social investigation must be handled through a foreign-related investigation institution with an approval of the authority concerned.

No overseas organization or individual may directly conduct any market or social investigation in China or conduct any market or social
investigation through any institution without the foreign-related investigation license.

Chapter II Confirmation of the Qualification and the Administration of Foreign-related Investigation Institutions

Article 10

The National Bureau of Statistics and the authorities for statistics of the people’s governments of all provinces, autonomous regions
and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for the qualification confirmation for institutions
applying for a foreign-related investigation license.

No individual and no organization without a foreign-related investigation license may conduct any foreign-related investigation in
any form.

Article 11

Any institution applying for a foreign-related investigation license shall have the following qualifications:

(1)

have been lawfully established with corporate capacity;

(2)

have the scope of operation or business that includes the market or social investigation;

(3)

have personnel familiar with the provisions of the state in respect of the foreign-related investigation;

(4)

have the corresponding ability to conduct foreign-related investigation;

(5)

have conducted at least three investigation projects or have at least 300,000 yuan of investigation turnover in the year prior to
the date of application;

(6)

have a strict and well-established security system; and

(7)

have no record of any major illegal act in the recent two years.

Article 12

The agency in China of an overseas organization with market investigation in its scope of business and meeting the requirements as
provided for in Items (3), (6) and (7) of Article 11 may file an application for a foreign-related investigation license and may
directly conduct market investigation in China with regard to the commodities or commercial service relating to itself, provided
that it may not conduct any social investigation.

Article 13

Where a foreign-related investigation license is applied for, the following documents must be submitted:

(1)

a form of application for a foreign-related investigation license; and

(2)

other materials certifying the satisfaction of the requirements as specified in Article 11 or 12.

Article 14

To apply for a foreign-related investigation license, an institution shall file its application to the National Bureau of Statistics,
in the case of investigation involving more than one province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government,
or to the authority for statistics of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the
Central Government where it is located, in the case of investigation involving only this province, autonomous region or municipality
directly under the Central Government.

The National Bureau of Statistics or the authority for statistics of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region or
municipality directly under the Central Government shall, within 20 days from its acceptance of the application, make a decision
of approval or disapproval. In the case of failure to make such a decision within the time limit, ten days may be extended upon the
approval of the person in charge of the authority, and the applicant shall be notified of the ground for such extension. In the case
of a decision of approval, a foreign-related investigation license shall be issued; in the case of a decision of disapproval, the
applicant shall be notified of such decision with reasons for such disapproval being stated.

Article 15

A foreign-related investigation license issued by the National Bureau of Statistics shall be valid throughout the country. A foreign-related
investigation license issued by the authority for statistics of the people’s government of a province, autonomous region or municipality
directly under the Central Government shall be valid in this province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central
Government.

Article 16

The foreign-related investigation license shall give clear indication of the name, type of registration, legal representative or person
in charge and domicile of the investigation institution, issuing organ, date, number and term of the license and the scope of business
licensed.

Article 17

Where any change in the name, type of registration, legal representative or person in charge or domicile of a foreign-related investigation
institution occurs, the institution shall file an application with the issuing organ for a change in its foreign-related investigation
license.

Article 18

A foreign-related investigation license shall be valid for three years.

In case any foreign-related investigation institution wishes to extend the term of its foreign-related investigation license, it shall
file an application with the issuing organ 30 days before the expiry of the term. No extension shall be granted if no application
has been filed within such time limit.

Article 19

Any institution that has terminated its business of foreign-related investigation shall hand over its foreign-related investigation
license to the issuing organ within 30 days from such termination.

An expired foreign-related investigation license shall be handed over to the issuing organ within 30 days from such expiry.

Article 20

No organization or individual may forge, use falsely or transfer any foreign-related investigation license.

Chapter III Administration of Foreign-related Investigation Projects

Article 21

The National Bureau of Statistics and the authorities for statistics of the people’s governments of all provinces, autonomous regions
and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for the examination and approval of foreign-related
social investigation projects.

Article 22

Any foreign-related investigation institution applying for approval for a foreign-related social investigation project shall submit:

(1)

a form of application for the foreign-related social investigation project;

(2)

a copy of its foreign-related investigation license;

(3)

a copy of the relevant contract of entrustment, financial aid or cooperation;

(4)

an investigation plan, including the purpose, content, scope, time, respondent and method of the investigation;

(5)

the relevant questionnaire, form or outline for the relevant interviews or observations; and

(6)

other background materials related to the investigation project.

Article 23

To Apply for approval for a foreign-related social investigation project, an institution shall file its application to the National
Bureau of Statistics, in the case of investigation involving more than one province, autonomous region or municipality directly under
the Central Government, or to the authority for statistics of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region or municipality
directly under the Central Government where it is located, in the case of investigation involving only this province, autonomous
region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

The National Bureau of Statistics or the authority for statistics of the people’s government of the province, autonomous region or
municipality directly under the Central Government shall, within 20 days from acceptance of the application, make a decision of approval
or disapproval. In the case of failure to make such a decision within the time limit, ten days may be extended upon the approval
of the person in charge of the authority, and the applicant shall be notified of the ground for such extension. In the case of a
decision of approval, an approval document for the foreign-related social investigation project shall be issued; in the case of a
decision of disapproval, the applicant shall be notified of such decision with reasons for such disapproval being stated.

Article 24

No foreign-related social investigation project having been approved may have any change without authorization. In case any change
is needed, the foreign-related investigation institution shall file an application to the original approving organ with regard to
the part concerned.

The examining and approving organ shall make a decision on approving or disapproving the change in accordance with Paragraph 2 of
Article 23 .

Article 25

The principle of voluntary participation shall be adhered to foreign-related investigation. Any person shall be enpost_titled to decide
for himself whether or not to participate in the investigation without coercion by any organization or individual.

When conducting a foreign-related investigation, a foreign-related investigation institution shall state to the respondents the purpose
of the investigation and may not act falsely in the name of another institution or mislead any respondent.

Article 26

In an approved foreign-related social investigation, the following matters shall be prominently indicated on the front pages of the
questionnaires, forms or outlines for the interviews or observations and stated to the respondents:

the number of the foreign-related investigation license;

the approving organ and the number of the approval document with regard to the investigation project; and

the investigation is conducted in the principle of voluntary participation.

Article 27

A foreign-related investigation institution shall set up records of its business of foreign-related investigations.

Article 28

No organization or individual may forge, use falsely or transfer any approval document for a foreign-related social investigation
project.

Article 29

Each foreign-related investigation institution and its relevant personnel shall keep confidential all and any business secret and
personal privacy they learned of during the foreign-related investigation.

Chapter IV Legal Responsibility

Article 30

Anyone in violation of Article 7 herein shall be subject to the punishment according to Article 34 of the Detailed Rules for the
Implementation of the Statistics Law of the People’s Republic of China.

Article 31

Anyone in violation of any of the provisions herein and involved in any of the following circumstances shall be ordered to make corrections
by the National Bureau of Statistics or the authority for statistics of the people’s government at the provincial level, with a fine
of 500 to 1,000 yuan in the case of not-for-profit investigation activities or, as to for-profit investigation activities, a fine
of one to three times the illegal gain, if any, but not exceeding 30,000 yuan at any event or a fine of 3,000 to 10,000 yuan if there
is no illegal gain. If a crime is constituted, the criminal liability shall be prosecuted according to law:

(1)

conducting any foreign-related investigation not through an institution with a foreign-related investigation license;

(2)

conducting any foreign-related investigation without a license thereof;

(3)

forging, using falsely or transferring any foreign-related investigation license or any approval document for a foreign-related social
investigation project;

(4)

conducting any foreign-related investigation by using an expired foreign-related investigation license; or

(5)

conducting any foreign-related investigation beyond its licensed scope of business.

Article 32

Any foreign-related investigation institution or any staff member thereof in violation of any of the provisions herein and involved
in any of the following circumstances shall be ordered to make corrections by the National Bureau of Statistics or the authority
for statistics of the people’s government at the provincial level, with a fine of 500 to 1,000 yuan in the case of not-for-profit
investigation activities or, as to for-profit investigation activities, a fine of one to three times the illegal gain, if any, but
not exceeding 30,000 yuan at any event or a fine of 3,000 to 10,000 yuan if there is no illegal gain. If a crime is constituted,
the criminal liability shall be prosecuted according to law:

(1)

conducting any foreign-related social investigation without obtaining an approval document;

(2)

making any change in an approved foreign-related social investigation project without authorization;

(3)

divulging any business secret or personal privacy of any respondent;

(4)

coercing anyone into participating in its or his investigation;

(5)

conducting any foreign-related investigation falsely in the name of another institution;

(6)

failing to set up records of its business of foreign-related investigation;

(7)

refusing to accept the inspection of the relevant administrative organ;

(8)

refusing to give facts or provide the relevant materials or giving false representations or providing false materials during the inspection
of the relevant administrative organ; or

(9)

failing to indicate or state to the respondents any of the matters as provided for in Article 26 .

Article 33

Any foreign-related investigation institution in violation any of the provisions herein and involved in any of the following circumstances
shall be ordered to make corrections by the National Bureau of Statistics or the authority for statistics of the people’s government
at the provincial level, with a warning or a fine of 500 to 1,000 yuan being imposed:

(1)

failing to apply for change in its foreign-related investigation license in the case of any change in its name, type or registration,
legal representative or person in charge or domicile; or

(2)

failing to hand over to the issuing organ its foreign-related investigation license in the case of termination of business of foreign-related
investigation, or its expired foreign-related investigation license.

Article 34

Any functionary of an authority for statistics who neglects his duty or abuses his power in the administration of foreign-related
investigation shall be subject to an administrative sanction according to law or, and if a crime is constituted, criminal liability
shall be prosecuted according to law.

Article 35

Any functionary of the National Bureau of Statistics or authorities for statistics of the people’s governments at the provincial level
who divulges any business secret he learned of during the administration of foreign-related investigation shall be subject to civil
liability with an administrative sanction being imposed on the person in charge and other persons directly responsible.

Chapter V Supplementary Provisions

Article 36

The investigation involved in any cooperation project between the Chinese government and any foreign government or international organization
shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the state.

Article 37

The time limits as provided for in the Present Measures with regard to the administrative licensing shall be counted on the basis
of working days excluding official holidays.

Article 38

These Measures shall be implemented as of the date of promulgation. The Interim Measures for the Administration of Foreign-related
Social Investigation as promulgated by the National Bureau of Statistics on July 16, 1999 shall be abolished as of the same date.



 
National Bureau of Statistics
2004-10-13

 







ELECTORAL LAW OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS AND LOCAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Electoral Law of the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses of the People’s Republic of China










(Adopted at the Second Session of the Fifth National People’s Congress on July 1, 1979, promulgated by Order No.2
of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on July 4, 1979 and effective as of January 1, 1980;
amended for the first time in accordance with the Resolution on the Revision of Certain Provisions in the Electoral Law of the National
People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses of the People’s Republic of China, adopted at the Fifth Session of the Fifth National
People’s Congress on December 10, 1982; amended for the second time in accordance with the Decision on the Revision of the Electoral
Law of the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses of the People’s Republic of China, adopted at the 18th Meeting
of the Standing Committee of the Sixth National People’s Congress on December 2, 1986; amended for the third time in accordance with
the Decision Regarding Revision of the Electoral Law of the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses of the People’s
Republic of China, adopted at the 12th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People’s Congress on February 28,
1995; amended for the fourth time in accordance with the Decision on Amending the Electoral Law of the National People’s Congress
and Local People’s Congresses of the People’s Republic of China adopted at the 12th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth
National People’s Congress on October 27, 2004) 

Contents 

Chapter I    General Provisions 

Chapter II   Number of Deputies to the Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels 

Chapter III  Number of Deputies to the National People’s Congress 

Chapter IV   Elections Among Minority Nationalities 

Chapter V    Zoning of Electoral Districts 

Chapter VI   Registration of Voters 

Chapter VII  Nomination of Candidates for Deputies 

Chapter VIII Election Procedure 

Chapter IX   Supervision, Recall and By-Elections Held to Fill Vacancies 

Chapter X    Sanctions Against Disruption of Elections 

Chapter XI   Supplementary Provisions 

 

Chapter I 

General Provisions 

Article 1  The Electoral Law of the National People’s Congress and Local People’s Congresses is formulated in accordance with
the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China. 

Article 2  Deputies to the National People’s Congress and to the people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities
directly under the Central Government, cities divided into districts, and autonomous prefectures shall be elected by the people’s
congresses at the next lower level. 

Deputies to the people’s congresses of cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, counties, autonomous counties, townships,
nationality townships, and towns shall be elected directly by their constituencies. 

Article 3  All citizens of the People’s Republic of China who have reached the age of 18 shall have the right to vote and stand
for election, regardless of ethnic status, race, sex, occupation, family background, religious belief, education, property status
or length of residence. 

Persons who have been deprived of political rights according to law shall not have the right to vote and stand for election. 

Article 4  Each voter shall have the right to vote only once in an election. 

Article 5  Elections shall be conducted separately in the People’s Liberation Army, and the procedures for such elections shall
be formulated separately. 

Article 6  Among deputies to the National People’s Congress and local people’s congresses at various levels, there shall be
an appropriate number of women deputies, and the proportion thereof shall be raised gradually. 

The National People’s Congress and the local people’s congresses of the areas with a relatively large number of returned overseas
Chinese shall have an appropriate number of deputies who are returned overseas Chinese. 

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China who reside abroad but who are in China during the election of deputies to people’s congresses
at or below the county level may take part in such elections conducted in their ancestral home town or place of domicile before they
went abroad.  

Article 7  The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress shall conduct the election of deputies to the National People’s
Congress. The standing committees of the people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the
Central Government, cities divided into districts, and autonomous prefectures shall conduct the elections of deputies to the people’s
congresses at the corresponding levels.  

In cities divided into districts, municipal districts, counties, autonomous counties, townships, nationality townships, and towns,
election committees shall be established to conduct the election of deputies to the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels.
The election committees of cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, counties and autonomous counties shall be under
the leadership of the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels. The election committees of townships,
nationality townships, and towns shall be under the leadership of the standing committees of the people’s congresses of cities not
divided into districts, municipal districts, counties and autonomous counties. 

The standing committees of the people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government,
cities divided into districts, and autonomous prefectures shall direct the work of electing deputies to the people’s congresses at
or below the county level in their administrative areas. 

Article 8  Election funds for the National People’s Congress and the local people’s congresses at various levels shall be disbursed
by the State Treasury. 

Chapter II 

Number of Deputies to the Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels 

Article 9  The number of deputies to the local people’s congresses at various levels shall be determined in accordance with
the following provisions: 

(1) The base number of deputies to the people’s congress of a province, an autonomous region, or a municipality directly under the
Central Government is 350. For a province or an autonomous region, one more deputy may be added for every one hundred fifty thousand
people, and for a municipality directly under the Central Government, one more deputy may be added for every twenty-five thousand
people, however, the total number of its deputies shall not exceed 1,000. 

(2) The base number of deputies to the people’s congresses of a city divided into districts or an autonomous prefecture is 240. One
more deputy may be determined for every twenty-five thousand people; however, if the population of the city or autonomous prefecture
exceeds ten million, the total number of its deputies shall not exceed 650; 

(3) The base number of deputies to the people’s congresses of a county, an autonomous county, a city not divided into districts or
a municipal district is 120. One more deputy may be added for every five thousand people; however, if the population there exceeds
one million six hundred fifty thousand, the total number of deputies shall not exceed 450; if the population is less than fifty thousand
people, the total number of deputies may be less than 120; 

(4) The base number of deputies to the people’s congress of a township, a nationality township or a town is 40. One more deputy may
be added for every one thousand five hundred people; however, if the population of a township or a nationality township exceeds ninety
thousand, the total number of its deputies shall not exceed 100; if the population of a town exceeds one hundred thirty thousand,
its total number of its deputies shall not exceed 130; if the population of a township, a nationality township or a town is less
than two thousand, the total number of its deputies may be less than 40. 

The base number of deputies to a local people’s congress plus the number of deputies added according to the size of the local population
as stipulated in the preceding paragraph shall be the total number of deputies to the local people’s congress. 

The number of deputies to the people’s congresses of an autonomous region or a province where many minority nationalities live in
concentrated community may, upon decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, be added by five percent.
The number of deputies to the people’s congress of a county, an autonomous county, a township or a nationality township where many
minority nationalities live in concentrated communities or people live in scattered groups may, upon decision of the standing committee
of the people’s congress of a province, an autonomous region, or a municipality directly under the Central Government, be added by
five percent of the total. 

Article 10  The specific number of deputies to the people’s congress of a province, an autonomous region, or a municipality
directly under the Central Government shall be determined by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress according to
this Law. The specific number of deputies to the people’s congress of a city divided into districts, an autonomous prefecture, or
a county shall be determined by the standing committee of the people’s congress of a province, an autonomous region, or a municipality
directly under the Central Government according to this Law and reported to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
for the record. The specific number of deputies to the people’s congress at the township level shall be determined by the Standing
Committee of the people’s congress at the county level according to this Law and reported to the standing committee of the people’s
congress at the next higher level for the record. 

Article 11  Once the total number of deputies to a local people’s congress at any level is determined, it shall no longer be
changed. If the size of the population is changed considerably due to the change of the division in the administrative regions or
the construction of major projects or other reasons, the total number of deputies to the people’s congress at the corresponding level
shall be re-determined according to this Law. 

Article 12  The number of deputies to the people’s congresses of autonomous prefectures, counties and autonomous counties shall
be allocated by the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels, in accordance with the principle
that the number of people represented by each rural deputy is four times the number of people represented by each town deputy. Townships,
nationality townships, and towns with exceptionally small populations shall have at least one deputy in the people’s congresses of
their respective counties and autonomous counties. 

In the administrative areas of counties or autonomous counties which have towns with exceptionally large populations, or have enterprises
and institutions not under the leadership of the people’s governments at or below the county level whose workers and staff account
for a relatively large portion of the county’s total population, the ratio between the number of people represented by a rural deputy
and the number of people represented by a town deputy or a deputy of an enterprise or institution may, upon a decision made by the
standing committee of the people’s congress of the province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government,
be smaller than four to one, even to the extent of one to one. 

Article 13  In municipalities directly under the Central Government, cities and municipal districts, the number of people represented
by a rural deputy shall be greater than the number of people represented by an urban deputy. 

Article 14  The number of deputies to the people’s congresses of provinces or autonomous regions shall be allocated by the standing
committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels, in accordance with the principle that the number of people represented
by each rural deputy is four times the number of people represented by each urban deputy. 

Chapter III 

Number of Deputies to the National People’s Congress 

Article 15  Deputies to the National People’s Congress shall be elected by the people’s congresses of the provinces, autonomous
regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government and by the People’s Liberation Army. 

The number of deputies to the National People’s Congress shall not exceed 3,000. The allocation of the number of deputies shall be
decided by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress in accordance with existing conditions. 

The number of deputies to the National People’s Congress to be elected by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao
Special Administrative Region and the methods for their elections shall be prescribed separately by the National People’s Congress. 

Article 16  The number of deputies to the National People’s Congress to be elected by the provinces, autonomous regions, and
municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be allocated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress
in accordance with the principle that the number of people represented by each rural deputy is four times the number of people represented
by each urban deputy. 

    Article 17  The number of deputies to the National People’s Congress to be elected by minority nationalities shall
be allocated by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, in the light of the population and distribution of each
minority nationality, to the people’s congresses of the various provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under
the Central Government, which shall elect them accordingly. Nationalities with exceptionally small populations shall each have at
least one deputy. 

Chapter IV 

Elections Among Minority Nationalities 

Article 18  In areas where minority nationalities live in concentrated communities, each minority nationality shall have its
deputy or deputies sit in the local people’s congress. 

Where the total population of a minority nationality in such an area exceeds 30 percent of the total local population, the number
of people represented by each deputy of that minority nationality shall be equal to the number of people represented by each of the
other deputies to the local people’s congress. 

Where the total population of a minority nationality in such an area is less than 15 percent of the total local population, the number
of people represented by each deputy of that minority nationality may be appropriately smaller, but shall not be less than half the
number of people represented by each of the other deputies to the local people’s congress. In autonomous counties where the population
of the minority nationality practising regional autonomy is exceptionally small, the number of people represented by each deputy
of this minority nationality may, upon a decision made by the standing committee of the people’s congress of the province or autonomous
region, be less than half the number of people represented by each of the other deputies. Other nationalities with exceptionally
small populations living in concentrated communities shall each have at least one deputy. 

Where the total population of a minority nationality in such an area accounts for not less than 15 percent and not more than 30 percent
of the total local population, the number of people represented by each deputy of that minority nationality may be appropriately
smaller than the number of people represented by each of the other deputies to the local people’s congress, but the allocated number
of deputies to be elected by that  minority nationality shall not exceed 30 percent of the total number of deputies. 

Article 19  In autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties, and in townships, nationality townships,
and towns where a certain minority nationality lives in a concentrated community, the provisions of Article 18 of this Law shall
be applicable to the election to the local people’s congresses of deputies of other minority nationalities and the Han nationality
also living in concentrated communities in such areas. 

Article 20  With respect to minority nationalities living in scattered groups, the number of people represented by each of their
deputies to the local people’s congresses may be less than the number of people represented by each of the other deputies to such
congresses. 

In autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties, and in townships, nationality townships, and towns where a
certain minority nationality lives in a concentrated community, the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be applicable to
the election to the local people’s congresses of deputies of other minority nationalities and the Han nationality living in scattered
groups in such areas. 

Article 21  In cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, counties, townships, nationality townships, and towns
where various minority nationalities live in concentrated communities, the minority nationality electorates may vote separately or
jointly in the election of deputies to the local people’s congress, depending on the relations between the nationalities, and their
residential situation in such areas. 

In autonomous counties and in townships, nationality townships, and towns where a certain minority nationality lives in a concentrated
community, the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall be applicable to the election to the respective people’s congresses of
deputies of other minority nationalities and the Han nationality living in such areas.  

Article 22  The electoral documents, roll of voters, voter registration cards, list of candidates for deputies, deputies’ election
certificates and election committee seals made or published by autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties
shall be in the written languages of the nationalities commonly used in the locality. 

Article 23  Other matters concerning elections among minority nationalities shall be handled with reference to the provisions
of the relevant articles of this Law. 

Chapter V 

Zoning of Electoral Districts 

Article 24  The number of deputies to the people’s congresses in cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, counties,
autonomous counties, townships, nationality townships, and towns shall be allocated to the electoral districts, and elections shall
be held in the electoral districts. The zoning of electoral districts may be decided according to the voters’ residence or on the
basis of production units, institutions and work units. 

The zoning of electoral districts shall be decided on the basis of one to three deputies to be elected from each electoral district. 

Article 25  The number of people represented by each deputy from an urban electoral district shall be generally the same. The
number of people represented by each deputy from a rural electoral district shall be generally the same. 

     

Chapter VI 

Registration of Voters 

Article 26  The registration of voters shall be conducted on the basis of electoral districts, and the voters’ qualifications
confirmed through registration shall have long-term validity. Prior to each election, voters who have reached the age of 18 since
the last registration of voters or who have had their political rights restored after a period of deprivation of political rights
has expired, shall be registered. Voters who have moved out of the electoral districts where they originally registered shall be
included in the roll of voters in the electoral districts to which they have newly moved; those who are deceased or have been deprived
of political rights according to law shall be removed from the roll. 

Citizens who suffer from mental illness and are incapable of exercising their electoral rights shall, upon determination by the election
committee, not be included in the roll of voters. 

Article 27  The roll of voters shall be made public 20 days prior to the date of election. and voter registration cards shall
be issued.  Where voters take part in elections and cast their votes on the strength of their voter registration cards, they
shall be issued voter registration cards. 

Article 28  Anyone who has an objection to the roll of voters may appeal to the election committee. The election committee shall
make a decision on the appeal within three days. If the appellant is not satisfied with the decision, he may bring a suit in the
people’s court at least five days prior to the date of election, and the people’s court shall make a judgment before the date of
election. The judgment of the people’s court shall be final. 

Chapter VII 

Nomination of Candidates for Deputies 

Article 29  Candidates for deputies to the national and local people’s congresses shall be nominated on the basis of electoral
districts or electoral units. 

Political parties and people’s organizations may either jointly or separately recommend candidates for deputies. A joint group of
at least ten voters or deputies may also recommend candidates. Those who submit recommendations shall inform the election committee
or the presidium of the congress of their candidates’ backgrounds. 

Article 30  The number of candidates for deputies to the national and local people’s congresses shall be greater than the number
of deputies to be elected. 

The number of candidates for deputies to be directly elected by the voters shall be from one third to 100 percent greater than the
number of deputies to be elected; the number of candidates for deputies to be elected by various local people’s congresses to the
people’s congresses at the next higher level shall be 20 to 50 percent greater than the number of deputies to be elected. 

Article 31  Candidates for deputies to the people’s congresses to be directly elected by the voters shall be nominated by the
voters in the various electoral districts and by the various political parties and people’s organizations. The election committee
shall, 15 days prior to the date of election, collect and publish the list of nominees and submit it to voter groups in the respective
electoral districts for discussion and consultation to determine the list of full candidates. If the number of nominated candidates
exceeds the maximum percentage for competitive election as specified in Article 30, the election committee shall submit the list
of candidates to voter groups for discussion and consultation, and the list of full candidates shall be determined according to the
opinions of the majority of voters; if a relative consensus cannot be reached on full candidates for deputies, a preliminary election
shall be conducted and the list of full candidates shall be determined by the order of the number of  

votes that the nominees have obtained in the preliminary election. The list of full candidates shall be made public five days prior
to the date of election. 

When a local people’s congress at or above the county level is to elect deputies to a people’s congress at the next higher level,
the time for nominating and deliberating candidates for such deputies shall not be less than two days. The presidium of the people’s
congress at the said level shall print and distribute the list of the candidates nominated according to law to all the deputies for
deliberation and discussion. If the number of the nominees conforms to the proportion for competitive election as provided in Article
30 of this Law, balloting competitive election shall be held directly. If the number of the nominees exceeds the maximum proportion
for competitive election as provided by Article 30 of this Law, preliminary election shall be held. By the order of the number of
votes that the nominees have obtained in the preliminary election, a formal list of candidates shall be determined in agreement with
the specific proportion for competitive election as it contained in the measures of election  

adopted by the people’s congress at that level in accordance with this Law, and then balloting shall be held.  

Article 32  When a local people’s congress at or above the county level is to elect deputies to the people’s congress at the
next higher level, the nominees for deputies shall not be limited to the current deputies to the lower people’s congress. 

Article 33  The election committee or the presidium of the people’s congress shall brief voters or deputies on the candidates
for deputies. Political parties, people’s organizations, voters and deputies that have nominated candidates for deputies may brief
voters on those candidates at group meetings of voters or deputies. The election committee may arrange for the candidates to meet
with voters and to answer their questions. However, such briefings must stop on the day of election. 

Chapter VIII 

Election Procedure 

Article 34  Where voters directly elect deputies to a people’s congress, they shall, as prescribed by the election committee,
be issued ballots on the strength of their identification cards or voter registration cards. In each electoral district, polling
stations shall be set up, mobile polling boxes provided or election meetings held for the election. Balloting shall be presided over
by the election committee. 

Article 35  Where a local people’s congress at or above the county level is to elect deputies to the people’s congress at the
next higher level, the election shall be presided over by the presidium of the lower people’s congress. 

Article 36  The election of deputies to the national and local people’s congresses shall be by secret ballot. 

If a voter is illiterate or handicapped and is therefore unable to write his ballot, he may entrust another person to write it for
him. 

Article 37  A voter may vote for or against a candidate for deputy and may vote instead for any other voter or abstain.  

Article 38  A voter who is absent from his electoral district during the time of an election may, with the approval of the election
committee and by written authorization, entrust another voter with a proxy vote. A voter shall not stand proxy for more than three
persons. 

Article 39  When balloting has been concluded, scrutineers and vote-counters elected by the voters or deputies, and members
of the election committee or members of the presidium of the people’s congress shall check the number of people who voted against
the number of votes cast and make a record of it; the record shall be signed by the scrutineers. 

Article 40  An election shall be null and void if the number of votes cast is greater than the number of people who voted, and
it shall be valid if the number of votes cast is less than the number of people who voted. 

A ballot shall be null and void if more candidates are voted for than the number of deputies to be elected, and it shall be valid
if fewer candidates are voted for than the number of deputies to be elected. 

Article 41  In a direct election of deputies to the people’s congresses, the election shall be valid, if more than half of all
the voters in an electoral district cast their votes. Candidates for deputies shall be elected only if they have obtained more than
half of the votes cast by the voters that take part in the election. 

When a local people’s congress at or above the county level is to elect deputies to a people’s congress at the next higher level,
candidates for deputies shall be elected only if they have obtained more than half of the votes of all the deputies. 

Where the number of candidates who have obtained more than half of the votes exceeds the number of deputies to be elected, the ones
who have obtained more votes shall be elected. Where the number of votes for some candidates is tied, making it impossible to determine
the ones to be elected, another balloting shall be conducted for these candidates to resolve the tie, and the ones who have obtained
more votes shall be elected. 

If the number of elected deputies who have obtained more than half of the votes is less than the number of deputies to be elected,
another election shall be held to make up the difference. When another election is held, the name list of candidates shall, by order
of the number of votes they have obtained in the first balloting, be determined in accordance with the proportion for competitive
election as provided in Article 30 of this Law. If only one deputy is to be elected, the number of candidates shall be two. 

When another election is held to elect deputies to the people’s congress at the county or township level in accordance with the provisions
in the preceding paragraph, the candidates who have obtained more votes than the others shall be elected; however, the number of
the votes they have obtained shall not be less than one-third of the votes cast. When another election is held by the local people’s
congress at or above the county level to elect deputies to the people’s congress at the next higher level, the candidates shall be
elected only when they have obtained a majority vote of all the deputies. 

Article 42  The election committee or the presidium of the people’s congress shall determine, in accordance with this Law, whether
or not the result of an election is valid and shall announce it accordingly. 

Chapter IX 

Supervision, Recall and By-Elections Held to Fill Vacancies 

   

Article 43  All deputies to the national and local people’s congresses shall be subject to the supervision of the voters and
the electoral units which elect them. Both the voters and electoral units shall have the right to recall the deputies they e

OPINIONS OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE CONCERNING RELEVANT ISSUES ON THE APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION FILED BY FOREIGN-CAPITAL ENTERPRISES

the Ministry of Commerce

Opinions of the Ministry of Commerce concerning relevant Issues on the Application for Extension Filed by Foreign-Capital Enterprises

Shang Fa Han [2004] No.71

The departments in charge of commerce of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the central government and
cities directly under state planning:

Whereas it is common in practice how to deal with the problem that the foreign-capital enterprises beyond the legal time limit file
an application for extending the period of operation, in order to carry out the original ideas in legislation correctly, and ensure
the stable operation of foreign-capital enterprises, now the Ministry of Commerce brings forward the opinions of solving this problem,
and please implement it accordingly.

1.

In accordance with Article 13 of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-foreign Equity Joint Ventures, Article 24
of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures, Article 20 of the Law of the People’s
Republic of China on Foreign-capital Enterprises, and the relevant provisions of the Administrative License Law of the People’s Republic
of China, where the enterprise with foreign investments needs to extend the period of operation, it shall apply to the examination
and approval authorities before 180 days prior to the expiration of the period of operation (hereinafter referred as the “prescribed
time limit”).The examination and approval authorities shall make the decision of approval or disapproval within 30 days from the
date of receiving the application; where no decision is made at the expiration of the enterprise’ period of operation, the extension
shall be deemed to have been approved.

2.

Where the enterprise with foreign investments applies for extending the period of operation later than the “prescribed time limit”,
the examination and approval authorities shall make disposals on the basis of the following principles:

(1)

Where the enterprise submits the application before 30 days prior to the expiration of period of operation (including 30 days), the
examination and approval authorities may accept its application.

(2)

Where the enterprise submits the application within 30 days ahead of or after the expiration of period of operation, the examination
and approval authorities shall not accept its application, except in cases caused by force majeure.

3.

The extension application shall conform to the following conditions:

(1)

The total investors make unanimous consent of extending the period of operation after the expiration of the period;

(2)

The enterprise’ board of directors makes consent decision of extending the period of operation after the expiration of period;

(3)

Application shall, when it is submitted, subject to the relevant laws, regulations and industry policies governing the use of foreign
capital.

The Ministry of Commerce of PRC

November 11, 2004

 
the Ministry of Commerce
2004-11-11

 




MEASURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF AUCTIONS

the Ministry of Commerce

Order of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China

No. 24

Measures for the Administration of Auctions, which were deliberated and adopted at the 14th executive meeting of the Ministry of Commerce
on November 15, 2004, are hereby promulgated and shall come into force as of January 1, 2005.

Bo Xilai, the Minister of Commerce

December 2, 2004

Measures for the Administration of Auctions

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1

With a view to standardizing auction activities, maintaining the order of the auction market and promoting the opening-up and healthy
development of the auction sector, the present Measures are formulated according to the Auction Law of the People’s Republic of China
(hereinafter referred to as the “Auction Law”) and other laws, administrative regulations and rules concerning foreign investment.

Article 2

The present Measures shall be applicable to auction activities by auction companies within the territory of the People’s Republic
of China.

All kinds of for-profit auction activities shall be conducted by lawfully incorporated auction companies.

Article 3

The “auction company” referred to as in the present measures shall mean a limited liability company or a joint stock limited company
incorporated in China to engage in auction activities.

Article 4

The Ministry of Commerce shall be the competent department of auction sector and shall supervise and regulate the auction sector throughout
the country.

The competent departments of commerce of the people’s governments of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly
under the Central Government (hereinafter referred to as the “competent department(s) of commerce at the provincial level”) and of
the cities divided into districts (hereinafter referred to as the “competent department(s) of commerce at the city level”) shall
supervise and regulate the auction sector in their respective administrative regions.

Article 5

When undertaking auction activities, auction companies must accord with the Auction Law and other relevant laws, administrative regulations
and rules and observe the principles of openness, impartiality, fairness and good faith.

Chapter II Establishment, Change and Termination of Auction Companies

Article 6

To apply for the establishment of an auction company, the investor must have a good credit without records of any act in violation
of laws, administrative regulations or rules.

Article 7

Anyone, who applies to establish an auction company, must meet the following requirements:

(1)

having registered capital of at least one million yuan;

(2)

having its own name, organizational structure and articles of association;

(3)

having a fixed business place ;

(4)

having at least three staff members who are qualified to engage in the auction sector, of which there must be at least one auctioneer;
and having full-time or part-time personnel who are qualified to engage in the sector closely related to its principal business;

(5)

having its auction rules according with the relevant laws, administrative regulations and the present Measures; and

(6)

conforming to the planning of the competent department of commerce for the development of the auction sector.

Article 8

To apply for the establishment of an auction company, one must submit the following materials:

(1)

a written application;

(2)

the articles of association and auction rules;

(3)

a Notice of Advance Approval of Corporate Names as issued by the administrative department for industry and commerce;

(4)

the resume and valid ID certificate of the person to be the legal representative;

(5)

the qualification certificate of the auctioneers to be employed for the practice of auction business and relevant qualification certifications
of other staff members to be employed; and

(6)

a certificate of post_title to or a contract of tenancy for the fixed place of business.

Article 9

When conducting auction sales of cultural relics, every auction company shall comply with the laws and administrative regulations
concerning such auctions.

Auction sales of confiscated articles and articles seized for payment of taxes or fines by administrative organs of the state, confiscated
articles and articles seized for payment of fines or fines by the people’s courts, recovered articles that cannot be returned to
their owners and other special state-owned assets shall be conducted by auction companies that have corresponding auction qualifications.
The specific requirements for such qualifications shall be determined by the competent departments of commerce at the provincial
level in conjunction with the departments concerned in the light of the principles of standard administration and competitive selection,
which shall be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce for archival purposes.

Article 10

The name of an auction company shall conform to the provisions on the registration and control of corporation names, and shall contain
the word “auction” as a description of the trade that the company engages in.

Article 11

To apply for the establishment of a branch, an auction company shall meet the following requirements.

(1)

the establishment of a branch shall accord with the planning for the development of the auction sector;

(2)

the company shall have passed the annual inspection;

(3)

the registered capital of the company shall be not lower than 5 million yuan and be paid in full amount; and the company shall appropriate
to each of its branches at least a million yuan of cash or in kind;

(4)

the branch to be set up shall have at least two staff members who are qualified to engage in the auction sector and shall have full-time
or part-time personnel who are qualified to engage in the sector closely related to its principal business;

(5)

the branch to be set up shall have a fixed place of business; and

(6)

the company shall have engaged in the auction business for at least three years, make profits during the recent two successive years
and have had a total auction turnover of not less than 50 million yuan for the last year; or the company shall have had a total auction
turnover of not less than 200 million yuan for the last year.

Article 12

To apply for the establishment of a branch, an auction company must submit:

(1)

an application report for the establishment of a branch;

(2)

a duplicate of the business license of the company as a business corporation;

(3)

the annual financial statements of the company for the last two years as audited by an accounting firm;

(4)

the resume and valid ID certificate of the person to be in charge of the branch;

(5)

the qualification certificate for the practice of auction business of the person to be employed as an auctioneer and the corresponding
qualification certifications of persons to be employed as staff members of the branch; and

(6)

a certificate of post_title to or a contract of tenancy for the fixed place of business.

Article 13

The following procedures shall be followed for the establishment of an auction company or a branch thereof:

The application for the establishment of an auction company or a branch thereof shall, after the examination of the local competent
department of commerce at the city level, be submitted to the competent department of commerce at the provincial level for verification
and issuance of an approval certificate for auction business, with which the applicant shall go through the registration formalities
at the local administrative department for industry and commerce.

The competent departments of commerce at the provincial level may adopt hearing of witnesses on the establishment of an auction company
or a branch thereof.

The approval certificate for auction business shall be uniformly printed by the Ministry of Commerce.

Article 14

In the case of any change in an auction company, the company must submit such change to the competent department of commerce at the
provincial level for verification and for re-issuance of an approval certificate for auction business before going through the formalities
of change registration with the administrative department for industry and commerce.

Article 15

The approval certificate for auction business shall automatically become invalid, in case the relevant auction company or branch thereof
fails to draw a business license within six months from receipt of such certificate.

Where an auction company or a branch thereof fails to start business within six months from its establishment or has held no auction
sales or has no tax certificates without justified reasons consecutively in six months after it starts business, the relevant departments
shall revoke its business license and the department of commerce shall withdraw its approval certificate for auction business.

Article 16

An auction company, which is dissolved for any reason as specified in its articles of association, a resolution of its shareholders’
meeting or any other reasons, or closed due to its violation of any law, administrative regulations or the present Measures or declared
bankrupt according to law for its insolvency, shall be cancelled according to law by relevant departments.

Chapter III Establishment, Change and Termination of Foreign-invested Auction Companies

Article 17

Foreign-invested auction companies may engage in for-profit auction business unless it is otherwise provided for by any law or administrative
regulation.

Article 18

Foreign investors, who have a considerable economic strength, advanced auction technologies and operation and management experience
and extensive international auction marketing network, are encouraged to establish foreign-invested auction companies in China.

Article 19

In addition to those provided for in Article 7 hereof, the following requirements shall be met for the establishment of a foreign-invested
auction company:

(1)

relevant provisions concerning the registered capital and total investment of foreign-invested enterprises shall be observed; and

(2)

the management duration of a foreign-invested auction company shall generally not beyond 30 years; in the case of one in a central
or western area, the management duration shall not beyond 40 years.

Article 20

To apply for the establishment of a branch, a foreign-invested auction company shall on time take part in and have passed the joint
annual inspection of foreign-invested enterprises in addition to the requirements as provided for in Article 11 hereof.

Article 21

To apply for the establishment of a foreign-invested auction company, the applicant must submit the following documents in addition
to those as provided for in Article 8 hereof:

(1)

the contracts and articles of association (only the articles of association in the case of a foreign-capital auction company) and
the attachments thereto;

(2)

photocopies of the credit and registration certificates of all parties to the investment ();

(3)

the audit reports of all parties to the investment for the last year as audited by an accounting firm;

(4)

a report on assessment of the state-owned assets to be invested by the Chinese investor into the Chinese-foreign equity joint venture
or Chinese-foreign cooperative joint venture to be established; and

(5)

a list of persons to be the members of the board of directors of the company to be established and letters of appointment of the directors
to be appointed by all parties to the investment.

To apply for the establishment of a branch, a foreign-invested auction company shall submit a capital verification report in addition
to those provided for in Article 12 hereof.

Article 22

The following procedures shall be followed for the establishment of a foreign-invested auction company or a branch thereof:

The applicant shall submit its application documents as provided for in Article 20 hereof to the Ministry of Commerce, which shall,
within the specified period of time from receipt of all application documents, make a decision on whether or not to approve the application.
In the case of approval, the Ministry of Commerce shall issue an approval certificate for the establishment of a foreign-invested
enterprise and an approval certificate for auction business, or else give an explanation.

The applicant shall go through the registration formalities at the local administrative department for industry and commerce within
one month from receipt of the approval certificate for the establishment of a foreign-invested enterprise and an approval certificate
for auction business.

The Ministry of Commerce may hold a hearing on the establishment of a foreign-invested auction company or a branch thereof.

Article 23

In the case of any change in a foreign-invested auction company, the company shall submit such change to the Ministry of Commerce
for verification and for re-issuance of an approval certificate for auction business and an approval certificate for the establishment
of a foreign-invested enterprise before going through the formalities for change registration at the administrative department for
industry and commerce.

Article 24

Where a foreign-invested auction company or a branch thereof fails to start business within six months from its establishment or has
held no auction sales or has no tax certificates without justifiable reasons during a consecutive period of six months after it starts
business, the relevant departments shall revoke its business license and the Ministry of Commerce shall withdraw its approval certificate
for auction business.

Article 25

A foreign-invested auction company, which is dissolved for any reason specified in its articles of association, a resolution of its
shareholders’ meeting or board of directors or any other reason, or closed due to its violation of any law, administrative regulations
or the present Measures or declared bankrupt according to law for its insolvency, shall be cancelled by the relevant departments.

Chapter IV Persons Engaged in the Auction Sector and Auction Activities

Article 26

The state shall adopt a credential system to professional and technical personnel in auction sector, under which only a person who
has obtained the qualification certificate to be an auctioneer and registered as an auctioneer may preside over auction sales.

The “auctioneer” referred to as in the present Measures shall mean a person who has passed the national examination for auctioneers,
obtained the qualification certificate to be an auctioneer e of the People’s Republic of China issued by China Auction Association
with the official seals of both the Ministry of Personnel and the Ministry of Commerce affixed on it and registered as an auctioneer.

Article 27

An auctioneer may register as an auctioneer of only one auction company and may not hold a part-time post in any other auction company.

No auctioneer may lend his qualification certificate to be an auctioneer of the People’s Republic of China to any other individual
or entity.

Article 28

An auctioneer may change the auction company of which he has registered as an auctioneer. If he plans to do so, he shall go through
the formalities of change registration with Chine Auction Association.

China Auction Association shall submit the auctioneers’ registrations and change status to the Ministry of Commerce for archival purposes
on a monthly basis.

Article 29

None of the following articles or the rights to property may be put on auction:

(1)

those of which the purchase and sale are prohibited by any law or administrative regulation;

(2)

those to or of which the ownership or the disposition right is in dispute not yet settled by a judicial or administrative organ; and

(3)

goods under the Customs control without Customs clearance.

Article 30

Auction companies shall conduct their auction business according to law and none of them may:

(1)

let or transfer without permission its right to engage in the auction business;

(2)

make false representations of any auction object, which would cause any loss to the purchaser;

(3)

employ any auctioneer without registering according to law or any other person to preside over an auction sale as an auctioneer;

(4)

conduct any unfair competition by maliciously decreasing the commission rate, charging a commission below the auction cost or even
without charging any commission (except for charity auctions) or by offering the consignor a kickback; or

(5)

commit any other act in violation of laws or regulations.

Article 31

If the auction company finds any article or booty for which the public security organ has issued a circular for cooperative investigation,
it shall immediately report that to the public security organ.

Article 32

In the case of entrusted bidding, a power of attorney and a copy of the ID certificates of both the agent and the principal shall
be issued.

The power of attorney shall include the name of the agent, matters delegated and the purview and the term of the delegated authority.

Article 33

Before conducting an auction, the auction company shall conclude a written agreement with its consignor concerning the treatment of
matters when no transaction has been made on the auction object and concerning the compensation for damages that might be caused
due to the consignor’s suspending or terminating of the auction.

Article 34

An auction company shall have a special person to take proper care of the auction objects handed over by its consignors, set up an
auction object custody and shift system and take necessary security measures.

Article 35

To hold an auction sale, the auction company shall make an announcement in pursuance of the properties of the auction objects and
nature of the auction sale within the time limit as provided for by the Auction Law and relevant laws or administrative regulations.
The announcement shall be published in newspapers with larger circulation as designated by the competent department of commerce at
the place where the auction objects are located or where the auction sale is to be held or in other media with a similar influence.

Article 36

Where the auction company ought to exhibit the auction objects before the auction sale, it shall provide convenient conditions for
the competitive bidders to examine such auction objects and offer the relevant materials at the same time.

The auction objects shall be exhibited for at least two days except fresh goods or other perishable goods.

Article 37

An auction company shall be enpost_titled to verify or require the consignor to state the source and defects of the auction object.

The auction company is obliged to state to the competitive bidders any defect of the auction object that it knows or should have known.

Article 38

Where any law, administrative regulation or rule prescribes any special requirements for the purchaser of an auction object, the auction
object may be auctioned off only to persons who meet such requirements.

Where an auction object is the business qualification that needs administrative licensing according to laws, administrative regulations
or rules and is transferable, the consignor shall obtain approval from the administrative organ concerned before the auction sale.

Article 39

The auction company may designate seats for biding agents on the auction spot and make a statement thereof to all bidders at the beginning
of the auction sale.

Article 40

An auction sale shall be suspended under any of the following conditions:

(1)

no competitive bidder is present at the auction sale;

(2)

any third person challenges the ownership to or the disposition right of the auction object and offers a valid certificate on the
spot;

(3)

the consignor has given notice in written form to the auction company before the auction sale on reasonable grounds;

(4)

the auction sale cannot be carried out for the time being due to the occurrence of any accident; or

(5)

any other circumstances under which the auction sale ought to be suspended according to law.

The suspension of an auction sale shall be declared by the auction company. The auction sale shall be resumed upon the elimination
of the reasons for suspension.

Article 41

The auction sale shall be terminated under any of the following conditions:

(1)

the people’s court, an arbitral organ or an administrative organ concerned has determined that the consignor has no disposition right
of the auction object and has given notice of it to the auction company;

(2)

the auction object is ascertained to be a booty;

(3)

the auction sale cannot be carried out due to the occurrence of any force majeure or accident;

(4)

the auction object has been damaged or perished before the auction sale;

(5)

the consignor has given notice in written form of the termination of auction sale to the auction company before the auction sale;
or

(6)

any other circumstances under which the auction sale ought to be terminated according to law.

The termination of an auction sale shall be declared by the auction company. Where the consignor requests to proceed with the auction
sale after the termination of it, he shall go through the auction formalities again.

Article 42

In the case of an auction sale held within the territory of the People’s Republic of China jointly by a foreign-invested auction company
and a Chinese-capital auction company, the auction object shall accord with the relevant provisions of laws, administrative regulations
and the present Measures.

Chapter V Supervision and Administration

Article 43

The Ministry of Commerce shall organize the formulation of relevant rules and policies on auction sector, guide all regions in working
out their respective plans for the development of auction sector and setting up supervision and verification, industry statistic
and credit management systems for auction sector, and shall be responsible for the promotion and administration of the use of foreign
capital and provide operation guidance to self-disciplinary organizations in the auction sector.

Article 44

The competent departments of commerce at the provincial level shall be responsible for the formulation and implementation of the plan
for the development of the auction sector for their respective regions and submit the plan to the Ministry of Commerce for archival
purposes.

The competent departments of commerce at the provincial level shall set up their respective supervision and verification, industry
statistic and credit management systems governing auction companies and persons engaging in the auction sector, shall be responsible
for the verification and licensing of the establishment of auction companies and branches thereof and conduct administration and
guidance of the local self-disciplinary organizations in the auction sector.

The competent departments of commerce at the provincial level shall create conditions for setting up a computer system interconnected
with those of the local auction companies and other administrative departments, keep records of the status of supervision and inspection
and the treatment of auction activities, render their supervision and verification opinions on the auction companies on annual basis,
charge auction companies not up to standard to make rectifications in a specified time limit and report the verification results
to the authorities concerned.

Article 45

The auction associations shall supervise the auction companies and auctioneers according to law and their respective articles of association.
They shall work out their auction criterion, strengthen the self-disciplinary administration, regulate relations between their member
companies and the relevant departments of the government and relations between their member companies, provide service to their member
companies and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of their member companies.

China Auction Association shall, under the guidance of the Ministry of Commerce, implement an the credit management system of auction
companies throughout the country and organize the examinations, assessment and qualification certification for auctioneers.

Chapter VI Legal Responsibilities

Article 46

Any company, which engages in for-profit auction activities without a license, shall be banned according to the relevant provisions
of the state.

Article 47

Where any auctioneer violates the provisions of Article 26 or 27 hereof or conceals facts and figures from or provides false information
to the regulatory department or commits any other lawless act, the competent department of commerce at the provincial level may notify
such lawless acts and its proposal for treatment to China Auction Association, which shall deal with the offending auctioneer according
to the relevant provisions and report in written form the result of treatment to the competent department of commerce and auction
association at the place of the auctioneer within 10 working days.

Article 48

Any auction company, which has caused any loss to the purchaser by violating the provisions of Article 29 hereof, shall make compensation
for such damages; if such loss is attributable to the consignor, the auction company shall be enpost_titled to recover the loss from the
consignor.

Article 49

Any auction company, which violates the provisions of Article 30 (1) hereof, shall be ordered by the competent department of commerce
at the provincial level to make corrections and be imposed upon a fine not exceeding 30,000 yuan.

Article 50

Any auction company, which violates the provisions of Article 30 (3) hereof, shall be given a warning and a fine at or above the
amount of its illegal earnings with roof of 30,000 yuan pursuant to the severity of the circumstances; in the case of non-illegal
earnings, it shall be given a fine not exceeding 10,000 yuan by the competent department of commerce at the provincial level, and
make compensation for losses caused to the consignor and purchaser according to law, if any.

Article 51

Any auction company, which violates Article 30 (2) or (4) hereof, shall be punished by the relevant administrative organ according
to law.

Article 52

Any auction company, which violates the provisions of Article 35 or 36 hereof by making irregular announcements or exhibitions before
an auction sale, shall be given a warning in the light of the severity of the circumstances, ordered to make corrections or postpone
the auction sale or given a fine not exceeding 10,000 yuan by the competent department of commerce at the provincial level.

Article 53

Where the auction company or consignor violates the provisions of Article 37 hereof by failing to state the defect of the auction
object and causes damages to the purchaser, the purchaser shall be enpost_titled to request the auction company to make compensation ;
if the damages are attributable to the consignor, the auction company shall be enpost_titled to recover the compensation from the consignor.

Where the auction company or the consignor has stated before the auction sale that they cannot guarantee the genuineness or quality
of the auction object, it/he may not bear the responsibility to warrant the defects (hereafter referred to as disclaimer). However,
the disclaimer shall be invalid if the auction company or the consignor knows or should have known the defect of the auction object.

Article 54

Where, after a successful bidding, the consignor fails to assist the purchaser in going through the formalities for changing certificates
or licenses and ownership transfer and thus causes losses to the purchaser or to the auction company, the consignor shall be liable
for such losses according to law.

The consignor shall be liable for the losses of the auction company or the purchaser according to law as caused by the suspension
or termination of the auction sale as required by the consignor.

Article 55

The competent department of commerce at the provincial level or the Ministry of Commerce may withdraw its decision of approval for
the establishment of an auction company or a branch thereof, if such decision has been made:

(1)

by the functionary’s abusing his power or neglecting his duty;

(2)

in violation of the requirements as provided for in the Auction Law or the present Measures; or

(3)

beyond its statutory authority.

Article 56

Where any functionary of a competent department of commerce or any staff member of an auction association abuses his power, engages
in malpractice for private benefit, neglects his duty, extorts or takes bribes, the person in charge who is directly responsible
and other persons directly responsible shall be given an administrative punishment, or shall be investigated for assuming criminal
responsibilities if a crime is constituted.

Article 57

Every functionary of competent departments of commerce shall, according to the relevant provisions on confidentiality, keep confidential
the information he gets to knowwhen performing his duties as required by the relevant auction company, consignor, bidder or purchaser.
In the case of any improper disclosure, he shall be dealt with according to the relevant provisions. Where the auction company believes
that some materials submitted by it to the administrative organ contain any confidential information, it shall mark the “confidential”
on the materials and have them sealed.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Article 58

The introduction of auction sales into commodity transaction markets, such as the agricultural product wholesale market and motor
vehicle transaction market, and the administration of auction sales on the Internet shall be conducted by referring to the present
Measures in principle, for which the specific measures shall be separately formulated.

Article 59

All wholly state-owned auction companies shall be reorganized according to the relevant provisions of the state.

Article 60

The power to interpret the present Measures shall remain with the Ministry of Commerce.

Article 61

The present Measures shall come into force as of January 1, 2005.

 
the Ministry of Commerce
2004-12-02

 




NOTICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND THE STATE ADMINISTRATION CONCERNING EXTENDING VALUE-ADDED TAX CREDIT SCOPE OF ENTERPRISES ENGAGED IN MILITARY PRODUCTS AND HIGH-TECH PRODUCTS IN NORTHEAST REGION

Ministry of Finance, State Administration on Taxation

Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration concerning Extending Value-Added Tax Credit Scope of Enterprises Engaged
in Military Products and High-Tech Products in Northeast Region

Cai Shui [2004] No. 227

Departments (bureaus) of finance and bureaus of state taxation of Liaoning province, Jilin province, Heilongjiang province and Dalian
city:

In accordance with “Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on the Printing and Distribution of
the Provision on ‘Several Issues concerning extending value-added tax credit scope'” (Cai Shui [2004] No. 156), the notice on the
implementation of extending value-added tax credit scope of the enterprises engaged in military products and high-tech products in
Northeast region is hereby notified as follows:

1.

The enterprises engaged in military products and high-tech products listed herein are allowed to be applicable to the scope of extending
value-added tax credit.

2.

The enterprises of military products and hi-tech products subsumed under the scope of extending VAT credit shall implement in accordance
with the pertinent provision of the following documents: “Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation
on the Printing and Distribution of the Provision on Several Issues concerning Extending Value Added Tax Credit Scope in Northeast
Region'” (Cai Shui [2004] No. 156), ” Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on the Printing
and Distribution of ‘Interim Measures for Extending Value Added Tax Credit Scope in Northeast Region”(Cai Shui [2004] No. 168), “Urgent
Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on further implementation of Extending Value-Added Tax
Credit Scope in Northeast Region”(Cai Shui [2004] No. 226)

3.

Taxation authorities of all levels shall pay close attention to putting into practice the auditing work concerning income tax of
fixed assets of enterprises engaged in military products and high-tech products, and shall carry it out strictly in accordance with
the relevant provisions. Provided the income tax of fixed assets paid by taxpayer from July 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004 conforms
to the current provision after auditing, the taxation authority concerned shall repay the refundable VAT to the taxpayer duly.

Attachment: List of Enterprises Engaged in Military Products and High-Tech Products in Northeast Region with resp ect to Extended
Scope of VAT Credit (omitted)

Ministry of Finance

State Administration on Taxation

December 27, 2004



 
Ministry of Finance, State Administration on Taxation
2004-12-27

 







REGULATION ON WORK SAFETY LICENSES

State Council

Decree of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China

No.397

The Regulation on Work Safety Licenses, which has been adopted at the 34th executive meeting of the State Council on January 7th 2004,
is hereby promulgated and shall come into force as of the day of promulgation.

Wen Jiabao, Premier of the State Council

January 13th, 2004

Regulation on Work Safety Licenses

Article 1

With a view to strictly regulating work safety conditions, further enhancing work safety supervision and administration, thus preventing
and reducing work accidents, this Regulation is hereby formulated in accordance with the Work Safety Law of the People’s Republic
of China.

Article 2

The State applies a work safety licensing system to enterprises engaged in mining, construction, and the production of dangerous chemicals,
fireworks and crackers, and blasting equipment for civil use (hereinafter referred to as enterprises).

No such enterprises may engage in production activities without work safety licenses.

Article 3

The department of work safety supervision and administration under the State Council shall be in charge of issuance and administration
of work safety licenses for enterprises subject to the central authority which are engaged in non-coal mining, and the production
of dangerous chemicals and fireworks and crackers.

The departments of work safety supervision and administration under the People’s Governments of the provinces, autonomous regions,
and municipalities directly under the Central Government, shall be in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses
for enterprises outside the scope of the preceding paragraph which are engaged in non-coal mining, and the production of dangerous
chemicals and fireworks and crackers, and be subject to the guidance and supervision of the department of work safety supervision
and administration under the State Council.

The State authority over coal mine safety inspections shall be in charge of issuance and administration of work safety licenses for
coal mining enterprises which are subject to the management of the central authorities.

The authorities over coal mine safety inspections under the People’s Governments of the provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities
directly under the Central Government, shall be in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses for coal mining
enterprises outside the scope of the preceding paragraph, and be subject to the guidance and administration of the State authority
over coal mine safety inspections.

Article 4

The administrative department of construction under the State Council shall be in charge of issuance and administration of work safety
licenses for construction enterprises which are subject to the central authority.

The administrative departments of construction under the People’s Governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities
directly under the Central Government, shall be in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses for construction
enterprises outside the scope of the preceding paragraph, and be subject to the guidance and supervision from the administrative
department of construction under the State Council.

Article 5

The administrative department of science, technology and industry for national defense under the State Council shall be in charge
of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses for enterprises engaged in the production of blasting equipment for civil
use.

Article 6

To obtain a work safety license, an enterprise shall satisfy the following work safety conditions:

(1)

Having established and improved the responsibility system for work safety, and formulated a whole set of work safety regulations and
operating rules;

(2)

Its investment in safety is up to work safety requirements;

(3)

Having set up administrative entities for work safety and installed full-time work safety administrative personnel;

(4)

The major person(s)-in-charge and work safety administrative personnel have passed the appraisal;

(5)

The special personnel have passed the appraisal conducted by the competent authority, and have obtained qualification certificates
for special operations;

(6)

The workers have gone through work safety education and training;

(7)

Having workers insured against work-related injuries in accordance with the law and having paid insurance premiums in this regard;

(8)

Its premises, worksites, safety facilities, equipment and technology are up to the requirements of the relevant work safety laws,
regulations, standards and rules;

(9)

Having preventive measures against occupation hazards and providing workers with labor protection articles which are up to the national
standards or standards of the industrial sector concerned;

(10)

Having conducted safety evaluation in accordance with the law;

(11)

Having measures for the testing, assessment and monitoring of sources of grave danger, as well as emergency plans thereabout;

(12)

Having emergency rescue plans for work accidents, and entities or personnel specialized in emergency rescue, and having necessary
emergency rescue materials and equipment; and

(13)

Satisfying other conditions as provided by laws and regulations.

Article 7

Before starting production, an enterprise shall apply for the work safety license to the department in charge of the issuance and
administration of work safety licenses according to the present Regulation, and provide the relevant documents and materials specified
in Article 6 of the present Regulation. The department in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses shall
wrap up its review process within 45 days from the day of receipt of an application, and issue work safety licenses to those found
upon review to satisfy the work safety conditioned specified in the present Regulation. For those failing to satisfy the work safety
conditions as specified in the present Regulation, the said department shall deny their access to work safety licenses, and send
written notices to the applicants with reasons explained for such denial.

A coal mining enterprise shall, prior to its application for the coal production license, apply for the work safety license on a per
mine (pit) basis in accordance with the present Regulation.

Article 8

The work safety licenses shall be in uniform style as prescribed by the department of work safety supervision and administration under
the State Council.

Article 9

The valid period for a work safety license shall be three years. If a work safety license needs to be extended upon its expiration,
the enterprise shall go through the extension procedures three months prior to such expiration with the administrative department
from which the license is issued.

If an enterprise strictly abides by the relevant laws and regulations on work safety and is free of any deadly accident during the
valid period of its work safety license, such license will enjoy a review-free three-year extension upon its expiration, with the
consent of the administrative department from which the license is issued.

Article 10

The departments in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses shall establish and improve the archiving administration
system for such licenses, and make regular release of information to the general public concerning the issuance of licenses to enterprises.

Article 11

The departments in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses for coal mining enterprises, the departments
in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses for construction enterprises, and the departments in charge
of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses for enterprises engaged in the production of blasting equipment for civil
use, shall make annual briefings to the same-level departments of work safety supervision and administration on information concerning
the issuance and administration of work safety licenses.

Article 12

The department of work safety supervision and administration under the State Council and the departments of work safety supervision
and administration under the peoples’ governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central
Government, shall conduct supervision over the issuance of work safety licenses to enterprises engaged in construction, the production
of blasting equipment for civil use, and coal mining.

Article 13

No enterprises may transfer, use under an assumed name, or use forged, work safety licenses.

Article 14

After obtaining a work safety license, an enterprise may not lower its work safety conditions, and shall improve its routine work
safety management and be subject to the supervision and inspection of the administrative department from which the license is issued.

The departments in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses shall enhance its supervision over and inspection
of license receiving enterprises, and withdraw on a temporary basis or revoke the license upon finding of any failure to satisfy
the work safety conditions specified in the present Regulation.

Article 15

No personnel of the departments in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses may extort or accept any property
from enterprises or seek any other illicit gains, during the issuance, administration, supervision or inspections of such licenses.

Article 16

The supervisory departments shall, according to the Administrative Supervision Law of the People’s Republic of China, conduct supervision
over the departments in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses as well the personnel thereof, on their
performance of duties and responsibilities in accordance with the present Regulation.

Article 17

Every organization or individual is enpost_titled to report the acts in violation of the present Regulation to the relevant authorities
such as the departments in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses or the supervisory departments.

Article 18

Any personnel of the departments in charge of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses who are involved in any of the
following acts may be given administrative sanction of demotion or removal from office; if a criminal offense is constituted, he
or she shall be subject to criminal liabilities.

(1)

Issuing work safety license(s) to enterprises failing to satisfy the work safety conditions specified in the present Regulation;

(2)

Making no statutory handling upon finding that any enterprise is engaged in production activities without work safety licenses;

(3)

Making no statutory handing upon finding that any license receiving enterprise fails to satisfy the work safety conditions specified
in the present Regulation;

(4)

Making no timely handling upon receipt of report on acts in violation of the present Regulation;

(5)

Extorting or accepting property from enterprises or seeking any other illicit gains during the issuance, administration, supervision
or inspections of work safety licenses.

Article 19

Those which, in violation of the present Regulation, are arbitrarily engaged in production without work safety licenses shall be ordered
to suspend production, and be subject to the confiscation of the illicit gains and a fine of 100,000 up to 500,000 RMB. If a criminal
offense is constituted in the wake of a serious accident or any other serious consequences, the offender shall be subject to criminal
liabilities.

Article 20

Those who, in violation of the present Regulation, continue production without going through the extension procedures upon expiration
of work safety licenses shall be ordered to suspend production and go through the remedial procedures within a limited period, and
be subject to the confiscation of the illicit gains and a fine of 50,000 up to 100,000 RMB. And those who continue production without
going through the remedial procedures within the limited period shall be subject to punishment in accordance with Article 10 of
the present Regulation.

Article 21

Those who, in violation of the present Regulation, transfer their work safety licenses shall be subject to confiscation of the illicit
gains, a fine of 100,000 up to 500,000 RMB and the revocation of such licenses; if a criminal offense is constituted, the offender
shall be subject to criminal liabilities; and the transfer recipient(s) shall be subject to punishment in accordance with Article
19 of the present Regulation.

Those who use, under an assumed name, or use forged work safety licenses shall be subject to punishment in accordance with Article
19 of the present Regulation.

Article 22

Enterprises which have already been engaged in production prior the implementation of the present Regulation shall, according to the
provisions of the present Regulation, apply for work safety licenses to the departments in charge of issuance and administration
of such licenses within one year from the day of the Regulation’s implementation. Those which fail to go through the application
for work safety licenses or to satisfy upon review the work safety conditions specified in the present Regulation, but nevertheless
continue production without such licenses, shall be subject to punishment in accordance with Article 19 of the present Regulation.

Article 23

The administrative punishment specified in the present Regulation shall be subject to the determination of the departments in charge
of the issuance and administration of work safety licenses.

Article 24

The present Regulation shall come into force as of the day of promulgation.



 
State Council
2004-01-13

 







NOTICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF TAXATION ON ADJUSTING THE CONSUMPTION TAX RATE OF IMPORTED CIGARETTES

the ministry of finance, the state administration of taxation

Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation on Adjusting the Consumption Tax Rate of Imported Cigarettes

CaiShui [2004] No.22

January 29th, 2004

The Customs General Administration:

With a view to consolidating the policy of consumption tax on imported cigarettes and homemade cigarettes, and upon the approval of
the State Council, we hereby adjust the consumption tax rate of imported cigarettes, and give the following Circular on relevant
issues:

I.

From March 1, 2004, the proportional consumption tax rate applicable to imported cigarettes shall be determined in accordance with
the following measures:

1.

The price of each standard carton of imported cigarettes (200 cigarettes) for the determination of applying proportional consumption
tax rate = (duty-paid value + customs duty + fixed consumption tax rate) /(1￿￿consumption tax rate). Among them, the duty-paid value
and the customs duty shall be the duty-paid value and the amount of customs duty of each standard carton of 200 cigarettes; the fixed
consumption tax rate shall be 0.6 Yuan (which comes from the calculation according to the existing fixed consumption tax rate) for
each standard carton of 200 cigarettes; the consumption tax rate shall be fixed as 30%.

2.

In case the price of each standard carton of imported cigarettes (200 cigarettes) for the determination of applying proportional
tax rate is 50 Yuan or more, the proportional tax rate applicable shall be 45%. If the price of each standard carton of imported
cigarettes (200 cigarettes), which are determined for applying proportional tax rate, is less than 50 Yuan, the proportional tax
rate applicable shall be 30%.

II.

The composite assessable value of consumption tax applicable to and the amount of taxable consumption tax on imported cigarettes
shall be calculated according to the proportional consumption tax rate applicable as determined in the foregoing paragraph.

1.

The composite assessable value of consumption tax on imported cigarettes = (duty-paid value + customs duty + fixed consumption tax
rate)/(1?Cproportional consumption tax rate applicable to imported cigarettes).

2.

The amount of taxable consumption tax = the composite assessable value of consumption tax on imported cigarettes ￿￿the proportional
consumption tax rate applicable to imported cigarettes + fixed amount of consumption tax. Among them, the fixed amount of consumption
tax = quantity of imported cigarettes checked and ratified by the customs ￿￿ixed consumption tax rate, and the fixed consumption
tax rate shall be 150 Yuan for each standard box of 50,000 cigarettes.

Please comply with and implement this notice accordingly.



 
the ministry of finance, the state administration of taxation
2004-01-29

 







RULES FOR TAXATION ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW (INTERIM)






State Administration of Taxation

Decree of the State Administration of Taxation of the People’s Republic of China

NO.8

Rules on Taxation Administrative Review (interim) , deliberated and adopted at the first executive meeting of the State Administration
of Taxation on January 17th, 2004, are hereby promulgated and shall be put in force as of May 1st, 2004.

Xie Xuren, Director of the State Administration of Taxation

February 24th, 2004

Rules for Taxation Administrative Review (interim)

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1

With a view to preventing and rectifying the violations of laws or specific improper administrative actions of the tax authorities,
protecting the legal rights and interests of taxpayers and other interested parties, and ensuring and supervising the tax authorities
to lawfully exercise their mandate the current Rules are formulated in accordance with the Law of the People’s Republic of China
on Administrative Review, the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Tax Collection and other relevant regulations.

Article 2

Taxpayers and other interested parties who believe their legal rights and interests have been infringed by a specific administrative
action of a tax authority, may apply for review to the taxation administrative review authority in accordance with legal procedures.
The Rules are applicable to taxation administrative review authorities in accepting the application for review and in making decisions
on administrative review.

Article 3

The tax administrative review authority referred to in the Rules (hereinafter referred to as the review authority) are those tax authorities
that lawfully investigate and make administrative review decisions on specific administrative actions after receiving applications
for review.

Article 4

Agencies of the review authorities in charge of taxation legal affairs (hereinafter referred to as legal affairs agencies) shall shoulder
the specific responsibility of administrative review and perform the following duties:

(1)

Accepting the application for administrative review;

(2)

Investigating and searching for evidence from relevant organizations and persons, consulting documents and materials;

(3)

Examining whether a specific administrative action under a review application is lawful and proper and drafting an administrative
review decision.

(4)

Handling or transferring examination applications listed in Article 9 of the Rules;

(5)

In accordance with the prescribed jurisdiction and procedures, putting forward proposals for handling actions violating the Administrative
Review Law and the Rules;

(6)

Handling matters for responding to administrative lawsuits lodged because of objections to administrative review decisions;

(7)

Examining and supervising the administrative review work of tax authorities at lower levels;

(8)

Handling compensation issues as result of the administrative review cases;

(9)

Collecting statistics, making reports and keeping files for administrative review, lawsuits and compensation cases.

Tax authorities at all levels shall establish sound legal affairs agencies and assign fulltime clerks in charge of administrative
review and corresponding lawsuits to ensure smooth progress of the work.

Article 5

In performing the administrative review duties, the review authorities shall fortify the awareness of responsibility and service,
establish the concept of rule-based administration, follow the principles of legitimacy, impartiality, transparency, timeliness and
convenience for the people, adhere to correcting errors if any, cleave to laws, and ensure the correct implementation of the laws
and regulations.

Article 6

If taxpayers and other parties concerned disagree to tax administrative review decisions, they may bring administrative lawsuits to
the people’s courts in accordance with the Law on Administrative Procedures.

Article 7

Expenses incurred in administrative review and litigation in the tax authorities at all levels shall be covered by administrative
budget.

Chapter II Scope of Taxation-related Administrative Review

Article 8

The review authorities shall accept applications for administrative review as a result of objections to any of the following specific
administrative actions:

(1)

Tax collection by the tax authorities, including specific administrative actions such as confirming the taxable entities, taxable
items, scope of taxation, tax reduction, exemption and refund, applicable tax rate, tax base, intermediate links of taxation, time
limit for tax payment and tax collection methods as well as tax collection, imposing fines on tax owed, actions of withholding agents,
and tax collection by agents entrusted by tax authorities.

(2)

Measures taken by the tax authorities to guarantee the tax revenue:

(a)

Written notification to banks or other financial institutions to temporarily freeze an account;

(b)

Seizing or detaining commodities, goods or other property.

(3)

Failure to timely withdraw tax revenue guarantee measures by the tax authorities which results in infringement of the legal rights
and interests of taxpayers;

(4)

Mandatory enforcement measures taken by the tax authorities:

(a)

Written notifications to banks or other financial organizations to withhold tax payments from deposits of the concerned parties;

(b)

Selling or auctioning the seized or detained commodities, goods or other properties.

(5)

Administrative penalty imposed by the tax authorities:

(a)

fines;

(b)

confiscation of properties and illegal income;

(c)

depriving the right of getting export tax refund.

(6)

The actions of the tax authorities in refusing to lawfully handle a matter or to give a reply:

(a)

Refusing to approve tax reductions and exemptions or export tax refund;

(b)

Refusing to credit the tax;

(c)

Refusing to rebate tax;

(d)

Refusing to issue tax registration certificate or sell invoices;

(e)

Refusing to issue tax payment vouchers and receipts;

(f)

Refusing to identify the normal value-added tax payers;

(g)

Refusing to approve deferred tax declaration, and deferred tax payment.

(7)

The actions of the tax authorities in disqualifying the general VAT payers;

(8)

The actions of the tax authorities in capturing and stopping selling invoices;

(9)

The actions of the tax authorities in ordering the taxpayers to present tax payment guarantees or not to lawfully confirm the validity
of their tax payment guarantees.

(10)

The actions of the tax authorities in refusing to lawfully grant awards to tax evasion reporters.

(11)

Decision of the tax authorities of notifying the border exit department to prevent exit of border.

(12)

Other specific administrative actions of the tax authorities.

Article 9

Any taxpayers or other parties concerned believing that the following basis for the specific administrative actions of the tax authorities
are illegal may apply to the review authorities for examining these basis when applying for the administrative review of the specific
administrative actions:

(1)

The rules of the State Administration of Taxation and other departments of the State Council:

(2)

The rules of the tax authorities at other levels;

(3)

The rules of the local people’s governments;

(4)

The rules of departments of the local people’s governments.

The provisions mentioned in the preceding Paragraph exclude regulations and rules.

Chapter III Jurisdiction of the Taxation Administrative Review

Article 10

Objections against specific administrative actions of tax authorities at any level shall be referred to the tax authorities at a higher
level for administrative review.

The objections against the specific administrative actions of the local tax bureaus at provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities
directly under the central government may be taken to the State Administration of Taxation or the people’s governments of provinces,
autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government for review.

Article 11

The objections against the specific administrative actions of the State Administration of Taxation shall be taken to the State Administration
of Taxation for administrative review. In case of disagreement to the review decision, the applicants may lodge an administration
lawsuit to the people’s court or may apply to the State Council for arbitration. The ruling of the State Council is final.

Article 12

Those who have any objections against the specific administrative actions of tax authorities or organizations other than those prescribed
in Articles 10 and 11 of the Rules shall apply for administrative review in accordance with the following rules:

(1)

Those who have any objections against the specific administrative actions of municipalities separately listed in the state budgetary
planning shall apply for administrative review to the provincial tax bureaus.

(2)

Those who have objections against the specific administrative actions of tax offices or inspection departments of tax bureaus at any
level shall apply for administrative review to their supervising tax authorities.

(3)

Those who have objections against the withholding actions of withholding agents shall apply for administrative review to the tax authorities
at a higher level than the competent tax authorities in charge of the withholding agent. As for objections against the tax collection
actions of agencies entrusted by the tax authorities, the application for review shall be brought to the tax authorities at a higher
level than the authorization tax authority.

(4)

For tax-related cases jointly investigated by the state tax bureau,(including inspection department and tax office) and local tax
bureau (including inspection bureau and tax office) , tax authority and other administrative departments, all departments involved
shall, in accordance with their respective jurisdiction, take specific administrative actions respectively rather than jointly after
consulting other parties.

For objections against the specific administrative actions jointly made by the state tax bureau (including inspection bureau and tax
office) and local tax bureau (including inspection bureau and tax office) , the application for review shall be made to the State
Administration of Taxation. For objections against the specific administrative actions made jointly by the tax authority and other
administrative departments, the application for review shall be submitted to their common supervising administrative authority at
a higher level.

(5)

For objections against the specific administrative actions of a dissolved tax department made before it was dissolved, the application
for the review shall be submitted to the tax authority at a higher level than the former tax authority.

For any one of the circumstances described in(2) ,(3) ,(4) and(5) , the applicants may apply for review to the local county people’s
government where the specific administrative action occurs. The county people’s governments accepting the application shall be responsible
for transferring the application according to laws and regulations.

Chapter IV Application for Tax Administrative Review

Article 13

Applicants may put forward the application for administrative review within 60 days after being notified of the specific administrative
action of the tax authorities. Where the legal time limit is delayed due to justifiable reasons such as force majeure or obstacles
set by the respondents, the application time limit shall start from the date of the elimination of the obstacles.

Article 14

Where the taxpayers, withholding agents and sureties of tax payment object to the actions listed in Item 1 and Subparagraph 1,2,3
in Item 6 of Article 8 of the Rules, they shall apply for administrative review first. Should disagreement to the decision of the
administrative review occur, they might then appeal to the people’s court.

Where applicants apply for administrative review according to the preceding provisions, they shall first pay taxes and overdue fines
or provide relevant guarantees in line with the tax amount and time limit confirmed by tax authorities in accordance with laws and
regulations, after the confirmation of which by the tax authorities, they may apply for administrative review within 60 days starting
from the date of confirmation.

The means of guarantee provided by applicants include surety, mortgage and pledge. The tax authorities taking the specific administrative
action shall examine the qualification and credit of the surety, and have the right to refuse those without legal qualifications
or ensuring capacity. The tax authorities taking the specific administrative action shall examine the mortgage and pledge provided
and shall refuse to confirm those falling short of legal conditions.

Article 15

Where the applicants object to other specific administrative actions than the actions listed in Item 1 and Subparagraph 1, 2, 3 in
item 6 of Article 8 of the Rules, they may apply for administrative review or directly appeal to the people’s court.

Article 16

Applicants may make applications either in written form or orally. In case of oral application, the review authorities shall record
on spot the basic information about the applicants, their request for administrative review, and the key facts, arguments and time
of the review application.

Article 17

Taxpayers or other parties concerned requesting for administrative review are the applicants of the tax administrative review, specifically
refer to the taxpayers, withholding agents, tax guarantee providers and other persons concerned.

Where the citizens having the right to apply for administrative review are dead, their families or close relatives may apply for administrative
review. Where the citizens having right to apply for administrative review lose behavioral ability or are disabled, their legal representatives
may apply for the administrative review on their behalf.

Where the legal persons or other organizations having right to apply for administrative review are merged, split or terminated, the
legal persons or other organizations inheriting their right may apply for the administrative review.

Other citizens, legal persons or organizations having a stake in the specific administrative action under review may participate in
the administrative review as third party.

A third party who is not the target of a specific administrative action but whose right has been directly deprived of, restricted
or who is compelled to obligations by such specific administrative action, may apply for administrative review personally if the
direct target does not make the application.

Applicants and third parties may entrust agents to take part in the administrative review on their behalf, while the respondents shall
not entrust any agents to participate in the administrative review on their behalf.

Article 18

Where taxpayers or other parties concerned apply for administrative review on the specific administrative action of the tax authorities,
the tax authorities taking the action shall be the respondents.

Article 19

An applicant shall not institute an administrative lawsuit to the people’s court within the legal time limit for administrative review,
should his application to the review authority for administrative review have been submitted and accepted. Should an applicant have
lodge an administrative lawsuit to the people’s court, which has accepted the case, the applicant shall not apply for administrative
review.

Chapter V Acceptance of Tax Administrative Review

Article 20

After receiving the application for administrative review, the review authority shall examine it within 5 days and make a decision
on whether to accept it. The review authority shall refuse those applications inconsistent with the Rules and notify the applicants
in written form.

Applications for administrative review shall be refused in the following circumstances:(1) applications for cases outside the scope
of administrative review;(2) applications submitted after the legal time limit;(3) applications without specific respondent and objects
of administrative review;(4) applications having been submitted to other review authorities for administrative review and been accepted;(5)
applications whose applicants have brought the cases to the people’s court, which has accepted the case;(6) applications whose applicants
have disputes on tax with the tax authorities, and have not pay tax and late fee or have provided no guarantees or invalid guarantee;(7)
applications whose applicants do not meet the qualifications for application.

For those qualified applications that are not under the jurisdiction of a review authority, the review authority shall inform the
applicants of the right review authorities they should turn to.

Should the review authority do not examine the application and make a decision on refusing it within time limit prescribed above after
receiving the application for administrative review, the application shall be considered as being accepted.

Article 21

For those qualified review applications, the date when the legal affairs sections of the review authorities receive them shall be
the date of acceptance. The review authorities shall notify the applicants of the acceptance of the application in written form.

Article 22

For the specific administrative actions that shall be first applied to the review authorities for administrative review and then be
brought to the people’s court if the applications are rejected, or no replies are given when the legal time limit for the review
expires, the taxpayers or other parties concerned may lawfully bring the cases to the people’s court within 15 days after receiving
the rejection letters or after the expiration of the administrative review deadline, if the review authorities refuse to accept the
applications or fail to reply within the review time limit.

In case of extension of review time limit according to Article 43 of the Rules, the date of the expiration of the review time limit
shall be the date after the extension.

Article 23

Where the taxpayers and other parties concerned lawfully apply for review, but the review authorities refuse to accept without justifiable
reasons, the tax authorities at higher level shall order the review authorities to accept the applications if the applicants do not
appeal to the people’s court. If necessary, the tax authorities at higher level may directly accept the applications.

Article 24

During the term of the review, the specific administrative action shall not cease unless one of the following circumstances exists:

(1)

The respondent believes it necessary to cease;

(2)

The review authority believes it necessary to cease;

(3)

The applicant applies for ceasing implementation and the review authority believes the request is reasonable and determines to cease
the implementation;

(4)

It shall cease according to laws and regulations.

Article 25

The administrative review shall be suspended in any of the following circumstances:

(1)

The applicant dies and it is necessary to wait for the inheritor to make clear whether or not to participate in the administrative
review;

(2)

The applicant has lost the capability to engage in litigation and his legal representative has not been designated yet;

(3)

The administrative institution, the legal person or any other organization as one of the parties has terminated, and the party to
inherit its rights and obligations has not been determined yet;

(4)

The review authority can not investigate for a while because of force majeure;

(5)

The basis for the specific administrative action is being processed according to Article 39 and 40 of the Rules;

(6)

The adjudication of the case pending is dependent on the results of the trial of another case that has not yet been concluded;

(7)

The respondent is performing certain duties as the applicant applied for;

(8)

Other circumstances that warrant the suspension of the administrative review.

The suspension of the administrative review shall be notified to parties concerned in written form. The administrative review shall
resume after the causes of the suspension have been eliminated.

Article 26

The administrative review shall be terminated in any of the following circumstances:

(1)

The applicant withdraws the application for administrative review according to Article 38 of the Rules;

(2)

After accepting of the application, the review authority finds that other review authority or the people’s court has accepted the
case prior to it;

(3)

The applicant dies without an inheritor, or the inheritor waives the right to apply for administrative review;

(4)

After the termination of a legal person or other organization, the applicant of the administrative review, its inheritor waives the
right to apply for administrative review; If 60 days after the suspension of an administrative review due to circumstances 1 and
2 of Article 25 , nobody applies to resume, the administrative review shall be terminated unless sound reasons are presented;

(5)

The review authority finds out that the requirements for accepting applications are not met after accepting the application for administrative
review.

The termination of the administrative review shall be notified to relevant parties in writing.

Chapter VI Evidence

Article 27

Evidence shall be classified as follows:

(1)

documentary evidence;

(2)

material evidence;

(3)

video and audio material;

(4)

testimonies of witnesses;

(5)

statements of the parties concerned;

(6)

appraisal conclusions; and

(7)

written record of spot inspection or investigation, and written record at the locale.

Article 28

In the administrative review, the respondent shall have the burden of proof for the specific administrative action it has undertaken.

Article 29

The review authority shall take facts supported by evidence as the basis for the review of the cases.

Article 30

The review authority shall examine the validity of the evidence from the following aspects based on the specific circumstances of
each case:

(1)

whether the evidence meets the requirement on legal form;

(2)

whether the procurement of evidence meets the requirement prescribed by laws, regulations, rules, judicial interpretations and other
provisions;

(3)

whether there exist any other law-violating circumstances that have an impact on the validity of the evidence.

Article 31

The review authority shall examine the authenticity of evidence from the following aspects based on specific circumstances of each
case:

(1)

the causes that lead to the evidence;

(2)

the objective circumstances when the evidence is found;

(3)

whether the evidence is original and whether the duplicated copy is consistent with the original.

(4)

whether the interest of the witness or person providing the evidence is connected with the parties concerned in the case;

(5)

other factors that may influence the authenticity of evidence.

Article 32

The following evidence materials shall not be taken as the basis for deciding on a verdict:

(1)

evidence materials collected in a way that goes against the legal proceedings;

(2)

evidence materials infringing other persons’ lawful rights and interests obtained in such ways as shooting and recording on the sneak,
wire tapping etc;

(3)

evidence materials procured in such wrongful ways as temptation, fraud, menace, violence etc;

(4)

evidence materials provided by parties concerned beyond the time limit without reasonable grounds;

(5)

duplicates provided by a party concerned who refuses to present the originals without reasonable grounds, and cannot present any other
supporting evidence, which are not acknowledged by the counterpart;

(6)

evidence materials which are unable to determine true or false;

(7)

testimony provided by a witness unable to express his idea precisely;

(8)

other evidence materials bearing no validity and authenticity.

The relevant materials procured by the legal affairs agencies according to item 2 of Article 4 of the Rules shall not be taken as
evidence supporting the specific administrative action of the respondent.

Article 33

In the course of an administrative review, the respondent shall not go its own way to collect evidence from the applicant, other relevant
organizations or individuals.

Article 34

The applicant and the third party may have access to the written reply of the respondent, evidence and justifications for the specific
administrative action, and other relevant materials. The review authority shall not refuse except for materials concerning state
secrets or commercial secrets or the privacy of individuals.

Chapter VII Decision of Tax Administration Review

Article 35

The administrative review adopts the way of paper examination in principle. Where, however, the applicants request for or the legal
affairs section believes it necessary, the opinions of the applicants, respondents and the third party shall be solicited, and relevant
organizations or individuals may be consulted for useful information.

Article 36

The review authority shall comprehensively examine the factual evidence, legal proceedings, legal basis and the validity and propriety
of the rights and obligations provided for, which are the basis for the specific administrative action of the respondent.

Article 37

The legal affairs agency of a review authority shall deliver the duplicate copy of the administrative review application or the duplicate
copy of the written notes of the review application to the respondent within 7 days after accepting the review application.

The respondent shall put forward a written reply and provide the evidence, basis and other relevant materials for taking the specific
administrative action within 10 days after receiving the duplicate copy of the administrative review application or the duplicate
copy of the written notes of the review application.

Article 38

Before the review decision is made, the applicant may withdraw its application, but shall not apply again for administrative review
based on the same basic facts or reasons.

Article 39

Where an applicant applies for examination of the relevant rules when applying for administrative review according to Article 9 of
the Rules, the review authority shall lawfully handle that within 30 days if it has the right to do so. If it is beyond its mandate,
the review authority shall transfer the case to the appropriate administrative department within 7 days in conformity with the legal
procedures. The administrative department with proper mandate shall settle the case within 60 days according to the law. During the
processing period, the examination on the specific administrative action shall be suspended.

Article 40

Where the review authority believes, during the examination, that the specific administrative action of the respondent is not legally
based and the authority has the right to deal with it, the review authority shall deal with it within 30 days according to the law.
For cases beyond its mandate to deal with, the review authority shall, within 7 days, transfer it in line with the legal procedures
to the appropriate state department. During the process of handling the legal basis,, the examination on the specific administrative
action shall be suspended.

Article 41

The legal affairs agency shall examine the validity and properness of the specific administrative action taken by the respondent,
put forward proposals and, upon consent of the head of the review authority, work out the review decision in conformity with the
following rules:

(1)

Where the facts are clear, evidence strong, legal basis correct, procedures lawful and content proper, the review authority shall
maintain the administrative action.

(2)

Where the respondent fails to perform its statutory duty, the review authority shall make a decision that the respondent shall perform
its duty within certain time limit.

(3)

In one of the following circumstances, the review authority shall decide to cancel, change or confirm the action unlawful. Should
an administrative action be decided to cancel, change or confirmed unlawful, the review authority may order the respondent to take
a new administrative action within certain time limit:

(a)

The main facts are not clear, the evidence is not sufficient.

(b)

The legal basis is wrong.

(c)

The legal procedures are not followed.

(d)

The respondent steps over or abuses its power.

(e)

The specific administrative action is obviously inappropriate.

Should the review authority order the respondent to take a new administrative action, the respondent shall not take the same or similar
action based on the same facts and arguments. However, where the review authority decides to cancel the action as it is found to
be taken in a way violating the legal procedures, the respondent is not bound by the above provision when taking a new administrative
action.

(4)

Where the respondent fails to put forward a written reply, provide the basis, evidence and other relevant materials for the specific
administrative action in accordance with Article 37 of the Rules, the specific administrat

CIRCULAR OF MINISTRY OF FINANCE￿￿THE CUSTOMS GENERAL ADMINISTRATION￿￿THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF TAXATION FOR PROVISIONS ON ISSUES CONCERNING TAX POLICY OF THE CUSTOMS AS REPRESENTATIVE LEVYING IMPORTS TAX ON IMPORTED GOODS

Ministry of Finance￿￿the General Administration of Customs￿￿The State Administration of Taxation

Circular of Ministry of Finance￿￿the Customs General Administration￿￿The State Administration of Taxation for provisions on issues
concerning tax policy of the customs as representative levying imports tax on imported goods

No. 7 [2004] issued by Ministry of Finance￿￿the Customs General Administration￿￿The State Administration of Taxation

March 16, 2004

Every province, autonomous region and municipality directly under the Central Government , every Office or bureau of Finance of the
city under direct planning by the state , State Taxation Administration, the branch customs administration in Guangdong , special
appointed office of General Administration of Customs in Tianjin , Shanghai and every customs directly under the General administration
of customs:

Provisions on issues concerning tax policy of the customs as representative levying imports tax on imported goods have been approved
by the State Council. It is issued to you now, and you shall act in accordance with it conscientiously.

Annex: provisions on issues concerning tax policy of the customs as representative levying imports tax on imported goods

Annex:provisions on issues concerning tax policy of the customs as representative levying imports tax on imported goods

1.

The taxpayer pays funds equivalent to the deposit or offers other guarantees to the customs for the interim entry goods as followed
through approval of customs while entry shall not pay imports value-added tax and consumption tax temporarily, and shall return to
exit in six months from the date of entry; the customs can lengthen the term of returning to exit according to the stipulations of
General Administration of Customs:

(1)

The goods shown or used during the exhibition, fair, meeting and similar activity;

(2)

The articles used in performance, competition that used in communication activity of culture, sports.

(3)

The instrument, equipment and articles used in news report or making films, TV program.

(4)

The instrument, equipment and articles used in scientific research, teaching, medical activity;

(5)

The transports and special vehicles used in the listed activities of subparagraph 1 to subparagraph 4 of the article.

(6)

Samples

(7)

The instruments, implements used while installing, debugging, checking the equipment.

(8)

The containers of holding the goods;

(9)

Other goods used for non-commercial purpose.

If the aforesaid listed goods that have been approved for entry temporarily would not return to exit in designate term, the customs
shall levy imports value-added tax and consumption tax according to the law

Other entry goods approved temporarily apart from the aforesaid listed goods exempt for imports value-added tax and consumption tax
shall calculate and levy imports value-added tax and consumption tax respectively according to the forming taxing tariff of the goods
and the term proportion of detention in territory and depreciation of the goods.

2.

By virtue of incompleteness, deficiency, bad quality or incompatible specification, the goods of same type that consignor , carrier
or insurance company compensate and replace free of charge shall not be levied imports value-added tax and consumption tax while
importing. If the original imported goods that were replaced free of charge without return to exit, the customs shall re-levy imports
value-added tax and consumption tax on the original imported goods according to the regulations.

3.

A batch of goods fewer than 50 Yuan of amount of imports value-added tax are exempt from imports value-added tax, a batch of goods
fewer than 50 Yuan of amount of consumption tax are exempt from imports consumption tax.

4.

The advertising products and samples without commercial value are exempt from imports value-added tax and consumption tax.

5.

The goods and materials donated free of charge by foreign government and international organization are exempt from imports value-added
tax and consumption tax.

6.

The loss of imported goods are exempt from imports value-added tax and consumption tax before the customs release; As for the loss
of imported goods before the customs release, it may confirm the tax payment price of customs duties and tariff in the formula of
imports value-added tax and consumption tax forming taxing tariff according to real value of imported goods after being damaged that
customs assert, and levy imports value- added tax and consumption tax in accordance with the law.

7.

The necessary fuel, supplies and diet articles that transports load during the trip are exempt from imports value-added tax and consumption
tax.

8.

The relevant laws and administrative statutes stipulate that the imported goods are allowed to reduce or exempt from the imports tax
levied by the customs as representative, the customs shall practice according to the regulations.

9.

The provisions shall come into force as of January 1, 2004.

 
Ministry of Finance￿￿the General Administration of Customs￿￿The State Administration of Taxation
2004-03-16

 




DECISION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE OF THE NATIONAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESS ON ISSUES RELATING TO THE METHODS FOR SELECTING THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN THE YEAR 2007 AND FOR FORMING THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL OF THE HONG KONG SPECIAL ADMINISTRATIVE REGION IN THE YEAR 2008

Decision of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on Issues Relating to the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the Year 2007 and for Forming the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region in the Year 2008

(Adopted at the 9th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People’s Congress on April 26, 2004) 

At its 9th Meeting, the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People’s Congress examined the Report on Whether There Is a Need
to Amend the Methods for Selecting the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2007 and for Forming the
Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2008, submitted by Tung Chee-hwa, the Chief Executive of the
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, on April 15, 2004 and, before the meeting, had consulted deputies to the National People’s
Congress and members of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference from the Hong Kong Special
Administrative Region, people from different sectors of Hong Kong, Hong Kong members of the Committee for the Basic Law of the Hong
Kong Special Administrative Region under the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, and the Constitutional Development
Task Force of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and had, at the same time, sought the advice of the
Hong Kong and Macao Affairs Office of the State Council. In the course of examination, the Standing Committee of the National People’s
Congress paid full attention to the recent concerns of the Hong Kong community about the methods for selecting the Chief Executive
and for forming the Legislative Council after the year 2007, including the views of some bodies and public figures that they wish
to see the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage in the year 2007 and the election of all the members of the Legislative
Council by universal suffrage in the year 2008. 

The participants hold that the provisions in Articles 45 and 68 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of
the People’s Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the Basic Law of Hong Kong, in short) already expressly stipulate that
the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council shall be prescribed in the light of the actual
situation in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and in accordance with the principle of gradual and orderly progress, and
that the ultimate aims are the selection of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative
nominating committee in accordance with democratic procedures and the election of all the members of the Legislative Council by universal
suffrage. The methods for selecting the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and for forming the Legislative
Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall conform to the principles and provisions of the Basic Law of Hong Kong
mentioned above. Any change relating to the methods for selecting the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
and for forming the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region shall conform to the principles that it is
compatible with the social, economic and political development of Hong Kong and that it is conducive to the balanced participation
of all strata, sectors and groups of the society, to the effective operation of the executive-led system, and to the maintenance
of long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong. 

The participants hold that since the establishment of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Hong Kong residents have enjoyed
democratic rights that they had never had before. The first Chief Executive was elected by the Selection Committee, which was composed
of 400 members. The second Chief Executive was elected by the Election Committee, which was composed of 800 members. Out of the 60
members of the Legislative Council, the number of members returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections has increased
from 20 in the Legislative Council in the first term to 24 in the Legislative Council in the second term and will reach 30 in the
Legislative Council in the third term to be formed in September this year. Hong Kong does not have a long history of practising democratic
elections, and it is not seven years yet since Hong Kong residents exercised the democratic right to participate in the selection
of the Chief Executive of the Special Administrative Region. Since the return of Hong Kong to the motherland, the number of members
of the Legislative Council returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections has increased by a fairly wide margin.
When the setup is such that half of the members are returned by geographical constituencies through direct elections and the other
half by functional constituencies, the impact on the operation of the Hong Kong society as a whole, especially the impact on the
executive-led system, remains to be tested through practice. Moreover, at present, different sectors of the Hong Kong society have
considerable differences on how to determine the methods for selecting the Chief Executive and for forming the Legislative Council
after the year 2007 and have not come to a broad consensus. Such being the case, the conditions do not yet exist for the selection
of the Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with
democratic procedures, as provided for in Article 45 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong, or for the election of all the members of the
Legislative Council by universal suffrage, as provided for in Article 68 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong. 

In view of the above and pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the Interpretation by the Standing
Committee of the National People’s Congress of Annex I (7) and Annex II (III) to the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative
Region of the People’s Republic of China, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress makes the following decision on
the methods for selecting the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the year 2007 and for forming the
Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the year 2008: 

(1) The election of the third Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to be held in the year 2007 shall not
be conducted by means of universal suffrage. The election of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
in the fourth term in the year 2008 shall not be conducted by means of an election of all the members by universal suffrage, the
ratio between the members returned by functional constituencies and the members returned by geographical constituencies through direct
elections, who shall respectively occupy half of the seats, is to remain unchanged, and the procedures for voting on bills and motions
in the Legislative Council are to remain unchanged. 

(2) On the premise that Decision (1) is not contravened, appropriate amendments that conform to the principle of gradual and orderly
progress may be made to the specific method for selecting the third Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
in the year 2007 and the specific method for forming the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the
fourth term in the year 2008, in accordance with the provisions of Articles 45 and 68 of the Basic Law of Hong Kong and the provisions
of Annex I (7) and Annex II (III) to the Basic Law of Hong Kong. 

The participants hold that developing democracy in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in the light of the actual situation
and in a gradual and orderly manner according to the provisions of the Basic Law of Hong Kong has been the unswerving, consistent
position of the Central Authorities. Along with the development and progress in all aspects of the Hong Kong society and through
the joint endeavors of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Hong Kong residents, the democratic system
of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will certainly progress incessantly, and ultimately attain the aims of selecting the
Chief Executive by universal suffrage upon nomination by a broadly representative nominating committee in accordance with democratic
procedures and electing all the members of the Legislative Council by universal suffrage, as provided for in the Basic Law of Hong
Kong.

Notice: All Rights Reserved to the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.







CONSTITUTION ACT, 1982 – page 22

NOTES (1) The enacting clause was repealed by the Statute Law Revision Act, 1893, 56-57 Vict., c. 14 (U.K.). It read as...