Brazilian Laws

ORGANIC LAW OF THE LOCAL PEOPLE’S CONGRESSES AND LOCAL PEOPLE’S GOVERNMENTS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments 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.1
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 Revising Certain Provisions of the Organic Law of the Local People’s
Congresses and Local People’s Governments 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 Revising the Organic Law of the Local
People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments 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
on Revising the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments 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; and amended for the fourth
time in accordance with the Decision on Amending the Organic Law of the Local People’s Congresses and Local People’s Governments
of the People’s Republic of China adopted at 12th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People’s Congress on October
27, 2004) 

Contents 

Chapter I   General Provisions 

Chapter II  Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels 

Chapter III The Standing Committees of Local People’s Congresses at and Above the County Level  

Chapter IV  Local People’s Governments at Various Levels  

Chapter V   Supplementary Provisions 

Chapter I 

General Provisions 

Article 1  People’s congresses and people’s governments shall be established in provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities
directly under the Central Government, autonomous prefectures, counties, autonomous counties, cities, municipal districts, townships,
nationality townships, and towns. 

Article 2  Standing committees shall be established by local people’s congresses at and above the county level. 

Article 3  The organs of self-government of autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties shall, in addition
to exercising the functions and powers specified in this Law, exercise the power of autonomy within the limits of their authority
as prescribed by the Constitution, the Law on Regional National Autonomy and other laws. 

 

Chapter II 

Local People’s Congresses at Various Levels 

Article 4  Local people’s congresses at various levels shall be local organs of State power. 

Article 5  Deputies to the people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government,
autonomous prefectures and cities divided into districts shall be elected by the people’s congresses at the next lower level; deputies
to the people’s congresses of counties, autonomous counties, cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, townships, nationality
townships, and towns shall be elected directly by their constituencies. 

The number of deputies to the local people’s congresses at various levels and the manner of their election shall be prescribed by
the electoral law. There shall be an appropriate number of deputies elected from the minority nationalities in each administrative
area. 

Article 6  The term of office of the local people’s congresses at various levels shall be five years.      

Article 7  The people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government
may, in the light of the specific conditions and actual needs of their respective administrative areas, formulate and promulgate
local regulations, which must not contravene the Constitution and other laws, as well as administrative regulations; they shall report
such local regulations to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the State Council for the record. 

The people’s congresses of cities where provincial and autonomous regional people’s governments are located and the people’s congresses
of relatively large cities with the approval of the State Council may, in the light of the specific conditions and actual needs of
their respective cities, formulate local regulations, which must not contravene the Constitution and other laws, administrative regulations,
and the local regulations of their respective provinces and autonomous regions; they shall report such local regulations to the standing
committees of the people’s congresses of the respective provinces and autonomous regions for approval before implementation and for
submission to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and the State Council for the record. 

Article 8  Local people’s congresses at and above the county level shall exercise the following functions and powers:  

(1) to ensure the observance and execution, in their respective administrative areas, of the Constitution and other laws, administrative
regulations and the resolutions of the people’s congresses and their standing committees at higher levels, and to ensure the implementation
of the State plan and the State budget; 

(2) to examine and approve the plans for national economic and social development and budgets of their respective administrative
areas and the reports on the implementation of such plans and budgets;  

(3) to discuss and decide on major issues in political, economic, educational, scientific and cultural affairs, public health, protection
of the environment and natural resources, and civil and nationality affairs, in their respective administrative areas; 

(4) to elect the members of their respective standing committees; 

(5) to elect governors and deputy governors, chairmen and vice-chairmen of autonomous regions, mayors and deputy mayors, prefects
and deputy prefects, and heads and deputy heads of counties and districts; 

(6) to elect the presidents of the people’s courts and the chief procurators of the people’s procuratorates at the corresponding
levels; the election of the chief procurator of a people’s procuratorate shall be reported to the chief procurator of the people’s
procuratorate at the next higher level, who shall submit it to the standing committee of the people’s congress at that same level
for approval; 

(7) to elect deputies to the people’s congresses at the next higher level; 

(8) to hear and examine reports on the work of the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels; 

(9) to hear and examine reports on the work of the people’s governments, the people’s courts and the people’s procuratorates at the
corresponding levels; 

(10) to alter or annul inappropriate resolutions of the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels; 

(11) to annul inappropriate decisions and orders of the people’s governments at the corresponding levels; 

(12) to protect the socialist property owned by the whole people, property owned collectively by working people and citizens’ legitimate
private property, maintain public order and safeguard citizens’ rights of the person and their democratic and other rights; 

(13) to protect the legitimate rights and interests of various economic organizations; 

(14) to safeguard the rights of minority nationalities; and  

(15) to safeguard women’s rights as endowed by the Constitution and other laws, such as equality with men, equal pay for equal work
and freedom of marriage. 

Article 9  The people’s congresses of townships, nationality townships, and towns shall exercise the following functions and
powers: 

(1) to ensure the observance and execution, in their respective administrative areas, of the Constitution, other law, administrative
regulations, and the resolutions of the people’s congresses and their standing committees at higher levels; 

(2) to adopt and promulgate resolutions within the scope of their functions and powers;  

(3) to decide, in accordance with State plans, on plans for the development of the economy, cultural affairs and public services
in their respective administrative areas; 

(4) to examine and approve the budgets of their respective administrative areas as well as the reports on the implementation of the
budgets; 

(5) to decide on plans for civil affairs in their respective administrative areas; 

(6) to elect the chairman and vice-chairmen of the people’s congress at the corresponding level; 

(7) to elect heads and deputy heads of townships and towns; 

(8) to hear and examine reports on the work of the people’s governments of townships, nationality townships, and towns; 

(9) to annul inappropriate decisions and orders of the people’s governments of townships, nationality townships, and towns; 

(10) to protect the socialist property owned by the whole people, property owned collectively by working people and citizens’ legitimate
private property, to maintain public order and safeguard citizens’ rights of the person and their democratic and other rights; 

(11) to protect the legitimate rights and interests of various economic organizations; 

(12) to safeguard the rights of minority nationalities; and 

(13) to safeguard women’s rights as endowed by the Constitution and other laws, such as equality with men, equal pay for equal work
and freedom of marriage. 

In exercising their functions and powers, the people’s congresses of townships, nationality townships, and towns in which minority
nationalities live in concentrated communities shall adopt specific measures appropriate to the characteristics of the nationalities
concerned. 

Article 10  Local people’s congresses at various levels shall have the power to remove from office members of the people’s governments
at the corresponding levels. Local people’s congresses at or above the county level shall have the power to remove from office members
of their standing committees and the presidents of the people’s courts and the chief procurators of the people’s procuratorates elected
by those standing committees. The removal of the chief procurator of a people’s procuratorate shall be reported to the chief procurator
of the people’s procuratorate at the next higher level, who shall submit the matter to the standing committee of the people’s congress
at that same level for approval. 

Article 11  Local people’s congresses at various levels shall meet in session at least once a year. 

A session of a local people’s congress may be convened at any time upon the proposal of one-fifth of its deputies. 

Article 12  Sessions of local people’s congresses at or above the county level shall be convened by their standing committees. 

Article 13  A preliminary meeting shall be held for each session of a local people’s congress at or above the county level to
elect the presidium and secretary-general of that session, adopt the agenda for the session and decide on other preparations. 

The preliminary meeting shall be presided over by the standing committee of the people’s congress. The preliminary meeting for the
first session of a people’s congress shall be presided over by the standing committee of the preceding people’s congress at the corresponding
level. 

When a local people’s congress at or above the county level meets, its session shall be conducted by the presidium. 

When a local people’s congress at or above the county level meets, it shall propose a number of deputy secretaries-general; the choice
of deputy secretaries-general shall be decided by the presidium. 

Article 14  The people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town shall have a chairman, and may have one or two
vice-chairmen. The chairman and vice-chairmen shall be elected from among the deputies to the people’s congress at the corresponding
level, and their term of office shall be the same as that of each people’s congress at that level. 

The chairman or vice-chairmen of the people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town shall not concurrently hold office
in an administrative organ of the State; if they hold office in an administrative organ of the State, they must resign from the post
of the chairman or vice-chairman of the people’s congress at that level. 

The chairman or vice-chairmen of the people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town shall, during the period when
the people’s congress at the corresponding level is not in session, be responsible for keeping in touch with the deputies to the
people’s congress at that level, organizing the deputies to conduct activities, and conveying the suggestions, criticisms and opinions
of the deputies and the masses regarding the work of the people’s government at the same level. 

Article 15  When the people’s congress of a township, nationality township, or town holds a session, it shall elect a presidium,
which shall preside over the session and be responsible for convening the next session of that people’s congress. The chairman and
vice-chairmen of the people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town shall be the members of the presidium. The chairman
and vice-chairmen of the people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town shall be the members of the presidium. 

Article 16  The first session of each local people’s congress at any level shall be convened, within two months after the election
of its deputies, by the standing committee of the preceding people’s congress at the corresponding level or by the presidium of the
preceding session of the people’s congress of the township, nationality township, or town.  

Article 17  Members of the local people’s governments at or above the county level, the presidents of the people’s courts, the
chief procurators of the people’s procuratorates, and the leading persons of the people’s governments at the township level shall
attend sessions of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels as nonvoting delegates; leading members of the other relevant
government departments and public organizations at or above the county level may, by decision of the standing committees of the people’s
congresses at the corresponding levels, attend sessions of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels as nonvoting delegates. 

Article 18  When a local people’s congress holds its sessions, its presidium, standing committee and special committees and
the people’s government at the corresponding level may submit bills and proposals to that people’s congress within the scope of its
functions and powers. The presidium shall decide to refer such bills and proposals to a session of the people’s congress for deliberation,
or to simultaneously refer them to relevant special committees for deliberation and reports before the presidium decides, upon examination
of such reports, to submit them to the people’s congress for a vote. 

Ten or more deputies to a local people’s congress at or above the county level, or five or more deputies to the people’s congress
of a township, nationality township, or town may jointly submit a bill or proposal to the people’s congress at the corresponding
level within the scope of its functions and powers. The presidium shall decide whether to place the bill or proposal on the agenda
of the people’s congress or to first refer it to a relevant special committee for deliberation and a recommendation on whether to
place it on the agenda before the presidium makes such a decision. 

With agreement of the presidium, deliberation shall be terminated on a bill or proposal placed on the agenda of a session, if the
party that submitted the bill or proposal requests its withdrawal before it is referred to the congress for a vote. 

Article 19  Suggestions, criticisms and complaints on any aspect of work put forward by deputies to a local people’s congress
at or above the county level to that people’s congress and its standing committee shall be referred by the administrative office
of the standing committee to the departments and organizations concerned for consideration, disposition and reply. 

Suggestions, criticisms and complaints on any aspect of work put forward by deputies to the people’s congress of a township, nationality
township, or town to that people’s congress shall be referred by its presidium to the departments and organizations concerned for
consideration, disposition and reply. 

Article 20  When a local people’s congress conducts an election or adopts a resolution, a majority vote of all the deputies
shall be required. 

Article 21  Members of the standing committee of local people’s congresses at or above the county level, choices for chairmen
and vice-chairmen of the people’s congresses of townships, nationality townships or towns, governors and deputy governors, chairmen
and vice-chairmen of autonomous regions, mayors and deputy mayors, heads and deputy heads of prefectures, heads and deputy heads
of counties, districts, townships and towns, presidents of the people’s courts and chief procurators of the eople’s procuratorates
shall be nominated by the presidiums of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels or jointly nominated by deputies in accordance
with the provisions of this Law. 

Thirty or more deputies to the people’s congress of a province, autonomous regions, or a municipality directly under the Central
Government, or twenty or more deputies to the people’s congress of a city divided into districts or of an autonomous prefecture,
or ten or more deputies to the people’s congress at the county level may nominate, with joint signatures, the candidates for members
of the standing committee of the people’s congress at the corresponding level, leading persons of the people’s government, the president
of the people’s court and the chief procurator of the people’s procuratorate at the same level. Ten or more deputies to the people’s
congress of a township, nationality township or town may nominate, with joint signatures, candidates for the chairman and vice-chairmen
of the people’s congress at the corresponding level and leading persons of the people’s government at the same level. Deputies elected
from different electoral districts or electoral units may deliberate on and jointly nominate candidates. 

The number of candidates nominated by a presidium or jointly nominated by each deputy together with other deputies shall not exceed
the number of persons to be elected. 

Nominators shall make a trustful introduction of their nominees. 

Article 22  In elections for chairmen and secretaries-general of the standing committees of the people’s congresses, chairmen
of the people’s congresses of townships, nationality townships or towns, heads of people’s governments, presidents of the people’s
courts and chief procurators of the people’s procuratorates, there shall generally be one more candidate than the number of persons
to be elected, and a competitive election shall be conducted. If only one candidate is nominated, a non-competitive election may
be conducted. In elections for vice-chairmen of the standing committees of the people’s congresses, deputy chairmen of the people’s
congresses of townships, nationality townships or towns, and deputy heads of the people’s governments, there shall be one to three
more candidates than the number of persons to be elected; in elections for members of the standing committees of the people’s congresses,
there shall be one-tenth to one-fifth more candidates than the number of persons to be elected. The specific differential number
shall be prescribed by the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels in the electoral measures on the basis of the number of
persons to be elected. And the competitive election shall be conducted. If the number of candidates nominated is the same as the
differential number prescribed in the electoral measures, the presidium of a people’s congress shall submit the list of candidates
to the deputies for deliberation and discussion, before election is conducted. If the number of candidates nominated exceeds the
differential number prescribed in the electoral measures, a preliminary election shall be conducted after the deputies deliberate
and discuss the list of candidates submitted by the presidium, and an official list of candidates shall, in accordance with the differential
number prescribed in the electoral measures, be determined by order of the votes that the candidates obtain in the preliminary election,
and then election shall be conducted. 

When leading persons of State organs at the corresponding levels are to be elected by local people’s congresses at or above the county
level, the time for nomination and consideration of candidates shall be not less than two days. 

Article 23  Elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. The deputies may vote for or against any of the candidates that have
been determined, or may instead elect any other deputies or voters or abstain from voting. 

Article 24  In elections for leading persons of State organs conducted by local people’s congresses at the corresponding levels,
when the number of candidates who obtain more than half of the votes exceeds the number of leading persons to be elected, those who
obtain more votes shall be elected. If the number of votes for some candidates is tied, thus making it impossible to determine the
elected, another balloting shall be conducted for those candidates to resolve the tie, and those who obtain more votes shall be elected. 

If the number of the elected persons who obtain more than half of the votes is less than the number of persons needed to be elected,
another election shall be held to make up the difference, the candidates for another election may be determined by order of the votes
they obtain in the first balloting, or may be nominated and determined in accordance with the procedures provided by this Law. Another
election for making up the difference may be held at the current session or the next session of the people’s congress upon decision
by the people’s congress at the corresponding level. 

When another election is held to elect the vice-chairmen and members of the standing committee of a people’s congress, the vice-chairmen
of the people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town, and the deputy heads of a people’s government, competitive
election shall be conducted after the differential number is determined in accordance with the provisions in the first paragraph
of Article 22 of this Law. 

Article 25  When by-elections are held by the local people’s congresses at various levels for chairmen, vice-chairmen, secretaries-general
and members of their standing committees, chairmen, and vice-chairmen of the people’s congresses of townships, nationality townships
or towns, governors, deputy governors, chairmen and vice-chairmen of autonomous regions, mayors, deputy mayors, prefects, deputy
prefects, heads and deputy heads of counties, districts, townships and towns, presidents of people’s courts, and chief procurators
of people’s procuratorates, the number of candidates may exceed or equal the number of vacancies, and the election procedures and
methods shall be decided by the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels. 

Article 26  When a local people’s congress at or above the county level is in session, its presidium, its standing committee,
or a joint group of at least one tenth of its deputies may submit a proposal to remove from office members of its standing committee
or members of the people’s government, the president of the people’s court or the chief procurator of the people’s procuratorate
at the corresponding level; the presidium shall refer such proposals to the congress for deliberation. 

When the people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town is in session, the presidium or a group of at least one-fifth
of the deputies may submit a proposal to remove from office the chairman or vice-chairmen of the people’s congress, the head or deputy
heads of the township or town; the presidium shall refer the proposal to the congress for deliberation. 

In a proposal for removal from office, reasons for the removal shall clearly be stated. 

Persons proposed to be removed from office shall have the right to defend themselves at a meeting of the presidium or at the plenary
meeting of a session, or to submit their written defence. The defence made at the meeting of the presidium or the written defence
shall be printed and distributed to participants of the session by the presidium. 

The proposal for removal from office submitted to a local people’s congress at or above the county level shall, after being distributed
by the presidium to the participants for deliberation , be submitted to the plenary meeting of the session for voting; or the presidium
shall, subject to decision of the plenary meeting of the session, propose to organize an investigation committee, and the proposal
for removal from office shall be deliberated and decided at the next session of the people’s congress at the corresponding level
on the basis of the report prepared by the investigation committee. 

Article 27  A component member of the standing committee of a local people’s congress at or above the county level, a leading
person of a local people’s government, the president of a people’s court or the chief procurator of a people’s procuratorate at or
above the county level may submit the resignation to the people’s congress at the corresponding level, which shall decide whether
or not to accept the resignation; if the people’s congress is not in session, such resignations may be submitted to its standing
committee, which shall decide whether or not to accept the resignations. If the standing committee decides to accept a resignation,
it shall report it to its people’s congress for the record. A resignation of the chief procurator of a people’s procuratorate must
be reported to the chief procurator of the people’s procuratorate at the next higher level, who shall refer it to the standing committee
of the people’s congress at the corresponding level for approval. 

The chairman or vice-chairman of the people’s congress of a township, nationality township or town, the head or deputy head of a
township or town may submit his resignation to the people’s congress at the corresponding level, which shall decide whether or not
to accept the resignation.” 

Article 28  When a local people’s congress at any level is in session, a group of at least ten of the deputies may submit a
written proposal for addressing questions to the people’s government or any of its departments, the people’s court or the people’s
procuratorate at the corresponding level. In the proposal shall clearly be stated to whom the questions are addressed and the specific
questions themselves. 

The presidium shall decide whether to refer the proposal to the organ addressed for an oral reply at the meeting of the presidium,
or at the plenary meeting of a session, or at the meeting of a relevant special committee, or for a written reply. Where a reply
is made at a meeting of the presidium or of the special committee, the deputies who submit the proposal shall have the right to attend
the meeting as nonvoting delegates and express their opinions; when the presidium considers it necessary, it may have the report
on the reply printed and distributed to the session. 

If the reply is to be made orally, the leading person of the organ addressed shall be present at the meeting to give the reply; if
the reply is to be made in writing, it shall be signed by the leading person of the organ addressed, and the presidium shall have
it printed and distributed to the session or to the deputies who address the questions. 

Article 29  When a local people’s congress at any level examines a bill or proposal, its deputies may address questions to the
local state organs concerned, which shall send their personnel to the congress to give explanations. 

Article 30  The people’s congresses of provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government,
autonomous prefectures and cities divided into districts may, where necessary, establish special committees such as legislative (political
and law) committees, finance and economic committees, and education, science, culture and public health committees. The special committees
shall work under the direction of the respective people’s congresses; when the people’s congresses are not in session, they shall
work under the direction of the standing committees of the people’s congresses. 

Nominations for the chairman, vice-chairmen and members of a special committee shall be made by the presidium from among the deputies
and approved by the people’s congress. When the people’s congress is not in session, its standing committee may appoint and remove
individual vice-chairmen and some members of the special committee through nomination by its council of chairmen and approval by
a meeting of the standing committee. 

The special committees shall discuss, examine and draw up relevant bills and draft resolutions under the direction of the people’s
congresses and their standing committees at the corresponding levels; they shall make investigations and studies of, and put forward
proposals on, matters related to those committees and within the scope of functions and powers of the respective people’s congresses
and their standing committees. 

Article 31  A local people’s congress at or above the county level may appoint an investigation committee on specific questions. 

The presidium or a group of at least one-tenth of the deputies may submit to the session of the people’s congress a proposal for
organizing an investigation committee on specific questions, which shall be submitted by the presidium to the plenary meeting for
decision. 

An investigation committee shall be composed of a chairman, vice-chairmen and m

SYSTEM OF REPORTING COUNTRY INVESTMENT AND OPERATION OBSTACLES

Ministry of Commerce

Ministry of Commerce Circular on Printing and Distributing the System of Reporting Country Investment and Operation Obstacles

The competent commercial departments of all provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government
and all specifically designated cities in the state plan, all central enterprises and all economic and commercial agencies in foreign
countries;

For the purpose of having a good grasp of the overall situation of and problems encountered in the overseas investment and operations
by Chinese enterprises, handling well the work of follow-up administration of overseas investment, strengthening the macro coordination
and guidance, protecting the lawful rights and interests of investors and promoting the development of overseas investment, we hereby
print and distribute the System of Reporting Country Investment and Operation Obstacles to you, please implement it accordingly.

Ministry of Commerce

November 11, 2004

System of Reporting Country Investment and Operation Obstacles

Chapter I Goal of Establishment of the System

Article 1

For the purpose of accelerating the implementation of the “going abroad” strategy, handling well the work of follow-up administration
of and service for overseas investment and operations, protecting the lawful rights and interests of investors, building a good environment
and promoting the development of overseas investment, this System is formulated in accordance with the Foreign Trade Law, the Interim
Rules for Foreign Trade Barriers Investigation and other relevant provisions.

Article 2

The system of reporting country investment and operation obstacles means that the Chinese economic and commercial agencies, chambers
of commerce and enterprises in foreign countries shall, on an annual basis or irregular basis, report various obstacles, barriers
and related problems encountered by the Chinese-capital enterprises in their investment and operations in the host countries (regions),
and these reports shall serve as one of the bases for the annual Foreign Market Access Reports as issued by the Ministry of Commerce
and are for the domestic administrative departments’ and other relevant departments’ reference; the domestic departments concerned
shall, on the basis of the overall follow-up and understanding of the various problems encountered by the Chinese enterprises in
their overseas investment and operations, safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese enterprises through multilateral or
bilateral mechanisms.

Chapter II Reporting Subjects

Article 3

The reporting subjects shall be all economic and commercial agencies in foreign countries, chambers of commerce and associations of
overseas Chinese-capital enterprises, overseas Chinese-capital enterprises and their branches (hereinafter referred to as “Chinese-capital
enterprises”) and their domestic investors, who shall submit reports to the Ministry of Commerce as required.

Article 4

Each economic and commercial agency in foreign countries and each chamber of commerce or association of overseas Chinese-capital enterprises
shall regularly organize the Chinese-capital enterprises to make exchanges and discussions with regard to the particulars required
to be reported, solicit opinions from the Chinese-capital enterprises in full swing, and seriously implement the reporting system
by submitting to the Ministry of Commerce reports as required on the problems encountered by the Chinese enterprises in their overseas
investment and operations in the current year prior to December 31 of each year. In the case of any serious circumstance, the report
thereon shall be submitted immediately (for the format of such report, have reference to Attachment 1).

Article 5

The overseas Chinese-capital enterprises and their domestic investors may, in combination with the problems encountered in their overseas
investment and operations, submit reports with regard to any or some items as required to be reported at any time or irregularly
(for the format of such report, have reference to Attachment 2).

Article 6

The reports shall be prepared and issued with signatures.

Chapter III Main Particulars to Be Reported

Article 7

The reports shall exactly reflect the actual situation of and problems encountered in the investment and operations and trade in service
(including project contracting, service cooperation and designing consultancy) by the Chinese enterprises in the host countries (regions).

(1)

Overall situation of the investment and operations of Chinese-capital enterprises

(a)

overall information about the number, investment scale, sectoral distribution, operation results and other overall situations of and
problems generally encountered by Chinese-capital enterprises; and

(b)

brief account of major investment projects of Chinese-capital enterprises, including the names of the enterprises and of the domestic
investors of such enterprises (in the case of reinvestment via a third country or region, a note shall be stated), investment scale
and type, principal business and products, operation performance and major difficulties and problems.

(2)

Investment environment obstacles and risks

(a)

any law or regulation of the host country unfavorable to Chinese investment;

(b)

non-operational obstacles and risks in the host country, which cause cost burden to the operation of the enterprises, such as problems
in the public security and safety, enterprises’ credit, trade union, strike, government honesty, the public attitude toward foreign-capital
enterprises, and public holidays; and

(c)

any shortcoming or deficiency of the host country in supply or pricing of transport, water, electricity, gas or communications that
may adversely affect the investment and operations of the enterprises.

(3)

Barriers to investment and trade in service

The following measures that the host country implements or permits to be implemented in violation of any of the relevant multilateral
or bilateral agreements and that will or are likely to be inequitable obstacles or damage to or restriction of the investment and
operations or trade in service by Chinese enterprises:

(a)

barriers to access, such as any inequitable restriction of the inflow of Chinese investment, failure of any WTO member to fulfill
its commitment to open certain sectors to Chinese investment; or in the case of bidding for an engineering project, the government’s
requiring that a Chinese company must make a joint bid with a local enterprise or commit to have a local company as its subcontractor;

(b)

barriers to operations, such as any inequitable restriction on the operating activities of the Chinese-capital enterprises in terms
of production, supply, sale, human resources, finance and materials etc, reluctance to give employment visa and non-transparency
or overelaborate formalities in the government’s working procedure; and

(c)

barriers to withdrawal, such as restrictions on withdrawal of Chinese investment or remittance-out of profits of the Chinese-capital
enterprises.

(4)

Proposals on corresponding measures

Proposals of the reporting subjects on measures for dealing with the above-mentioned problems, obstacles and investment barriers.

Chapter IV Submission and Publication of the Reports

Article 8

The reports shall be submitted to the Ministry of Commerce (the Cooperation Department, departments of the relevant regions and the
Bureau of Fair Trade) in written form or through the Internet.

The institutions with necessary conditions shall submit their reports by making use of administrative affairs information communication
processing system of the Ministry of Commerce, or directly fill out and send the forms of Reports on Country Investment and Operation
Obstacles on the sub-website of cooperation guidance of the website of the Ministry of Commerce (www.mofcom.gov.cn), or submit their
reports by e-mailing (Processing Division of the Cooperation Department: hzjg@mofcom.gov.cn; Barriers Investigation Division of the
Bureau of Fair Trade: boft_tbi@mofcom.gov.cn).

Article 9

On the premise that the interests and trade secrets of the relevant enterprises shall be protected, the Ministry of Commerce shall
regularly publish the relevant particulars of the reports in the form of Country Trade Investment Environment Reports or in other
forms, pay close attention to the investment environment of the host countries and call the potential investing enterprises’ attention
to the avoidance of risks.

Chapter V Problem-resolving Mechanism

Article 10

Ministry of Commerce shall, after receipt of the reports, based on the reports and in conjunction with the relevant departments, exchange
information and make consultations and set forth comments and resolving measures.

Article 11

The reported problems shall be negotiated through exchange of visits by high-level personnel, bilateral mixed commissions of economic
relations of trade or any other diplomatic channel so as to help the enterprises resolve the problems in a quick manner.

Article 12

If any reported problem involves any barrier to investment or trade in service, the Ministry of Commerce may conduct investigations
thereon in accordance with the Interim Rules for Foreign Trade Barriers Investigation.

Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions

Article 13

The right to interpret this System shall reside in the Ministry of Commerce.

Article 14

This System shall be implemented as of the date of promulgation.

Attachments:

1.

Form of Reports by Economic and Commercial Agencies and Chambers of Commerce and Associations of Chinese-capital Enterprises in Foreign
Countries on Country (Region) Investment and Operation Obstacles (omitted)

2.

Form of Reports by Chinese-capital Enterprises and Their Domestic Investors on Country (Region) Investment and Operation Obstacles
(omitted)

 
Ministry of Commerce
2004-11-11

 




NOTICE OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE ON PRINTING AND DISTRIBUTING THE MEASURES FOR THE ADMINISTRATION ON VERIFICATION AND CANCELLATION OF THE PAYMENT BALANCES OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE FOR IMPORTS

State Administration of Foreign Exchange

Notice of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Printing and Distributing the Measures for the Administration on Verification
and Cancellation of the Payment Balances of Foreign Exchange for Imports

No. 116 [2004] of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange

December 3, 2004

The branches or the foreign exchange administrative departments of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange (hereafter referred
to as the SAFE) of all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, and the SAFE￿￿s branches
of Shenzhen, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Ningbo:

For the purpose of further improving the administration on verification and cancellation of the payments of foreign exchange for imports,
regulating the operation of verification and cancellation of the payment balances of foreign exchange for imports and enhancing the
efficiency of the administration on verification and cancellation of the payments of foreign exchange for imports, the SAFE has formulated
the Measures for the Administration on Verification and Cancellation of the Payment Balances in Foreign Exchange for Imports (hereinafter
referred to as the ￿￿Measures￿￿, for which please see the annex), which are hereby printed and issued to you with the relevant matters
clarified as follows:

1.

The balance verification and cancellation management of the examination on the verification and cancellation of the payment balances
of foreign exchange for imports, as effective measures for supplementing the existing provisions of the administration on verification
and cancellation of imports, aims at solving the problem that the formalities for handling the verification and cancellation of payments
of foreign exchange for imports can not be gone through because of the difference between the amount of an importer￿￿s payment of
foreign exchange for imports and the delivered price due to any objective factor, which may further promote trade facilitation and
lighten the burden of work of both importers and foreign exchange bureaus. All the SAFE￿￿s branches and sub-branches (hereinafter
referred to as the ￿￿foreign exchange bureaus￿￿) shall make publicity and explanation to importers and insure smooth implementation
of the Measures.

2.

When going through the investigation procedures of verification of the payment balances in foreign exchange for imports for importers,
the foreign exchange bureaus shall carefully verify the materials relating to the verification of balances and keep record thereof.

3.

Every foreign exchange bureau shall, in the light of its respective regional conditions, establish an internal control system of level-by-level
authorization of balance verification.

4.

The Measures shall go into effect as of February 1, 2005, before which, the SAFE shall modify and upgrade the computer system for
the verification and cancellation of the payment balances of foreign exchange for imports and make the upgraded computer system have
the functions to search, count and supervise the data of the verification and cancellation of balances. The date for upgrading the
computer system will be notified separately by the SAFE.

After receiving this Notice, every foreign exchange bureau shall promptly transmit it to the central sub-branches in their jurisdictions.
Any problem arisen during the process of implementing this Notice shall be reported timely to the SAFE. Annex:Measures for the Administration on Verification and Cancellation of the Payment Balances in Foreign Exchange for Imports

Article 1

For the purpose of further improving the administration on verification and cancellation of the payments of foreign exchange for imports,
regulating the operation of verification and cancellation of the payment balances of foreign exchange for imports and enhancing the
efficiency of the administration on verification and cancellation of the payments of foreign exchange for imports, these Measures
are formulated according to the Interim Measures for the Supervision and Administration on the Verification and Cancellation of Payments
of Foreign Exchange for Trade Imports and other relevant provisions.

Article 2

The term ￿￿balance subject to verification and cancellation￿￿ as mentioned in these Measures refers to the balance between the amount
of payment of foreign exchange reported for verification by an importer and the actually delivered amount (namely the product of
the unit price of the goods indicated in the declaration entry form and the quantity of the goods).

The verification and cancellation of balances may be either a balance due to more delivered goods or a balance due to less delivered
goods. When the amount of the actually delivered goods is more than that of the payment of foreign exchange reported for verification,
there is a balance due to more delivered goods; when the price of the actually delivered goods is less than the amount of the payment
of foreign exchange reported for verification, there is a balance due to less delivered goods.

Article 3

These Measures shall apply to the verification and cancellation of payments of foreign exchange for imports reported for verification
under the following circumstances:

(1)

one payment of foreign exchange, one delivery and one submission for verification under a single contract;

(2)

one payment of foreign exchange, multiple deliveries and one submission for verification under a single contract;

(3)

multiple payments of foreign exchange, one delivery and one submission for verification under a single contract; and

(4)

multiple payments of foreign exchange, multiple deliveries and one submission for verification under a single contract.

The verification and cancellation of importers￿￿ balances to be examined shall be conducted based on different contracts. In the case
of multiple submissions for examination under a single contract, the importer shall apply for the verification and cancellation of
a balance at the last submission for examination when the contract is completely fulfilled.

Article 4

In case a balance to be verified and cancelled, under a single contract, does not exceed the equivalent of 5,000 US dollars (inclusive)
or does not exceed 2% (inclusive) of the contract price though exceeding the equivalent of 5,000 US dollars, the SAFE￿￿s branches
or sub-branches (hereinafter referred to as the ￿￿foreign exchange bureaus￿￿) may handle the verification and cancellation of the
balance directly on the strength of the importer￿￿s statement on the balance, import contract and other verification-related documents.

Article 5

In case a balance to be verified and cancelled, under a single contract, is more than the equivalent of 5,000 US dollars and 2% of
the contract price, the importer shall apply for the verification and cancellation of the balance by providing other relevant materials
according to Articles 7 and 8 hereof.

Article 6

The cumulative balance that an importer submits (reports) for verification and cancellation for a month (including balances either
above or below the above-mentioned amount, with balances due to more delivered goods being counted as negative numbers) shall not
exceed the equivalent of 100,000 US dollars (inclusive) in principle. Every foreign exchange bureau may make an appropriate adjustment
of the quota pursuant to the local conditions.

Article 7

To apply for the verification and cancellation of an balance payment of foreign exchange for imports under a single contract, which
is more than the equivalent of 5,000 US dollars and exceeds 2% of the contract price due to less delivered goods, the importer shall,
in addition to the relevant verification and cancellation documents, provide the import contract and a statement on the balance with
both the signature of the legal representative and the corporate seal of the importer on it, and provide the relevant certificate
documents respectively according to the following different circumstances:

(1)

a certificate issued by the relevant chamber of commerce or a quotations list as certified by the relevant exchange or by any member
of such an exchange, in the case of a balance caused by the price movement in foreign markets;

(2)

the relevant letters and telegrams with the exporters and a certifying document issued by the relevant commodity inspection agency,
in the case of a balance caused by the problem of quality of the imported goods. If no commodity inspection document can be provided
due to any objective factor, a corresponding document certifying the quality of the goods and a guarantee letter shall be provided
instead;

(3)

the relevant letters and telegrams with the exporters and a certifying document issued by the relevant commodity inspection agency,
in the case of a balance caused by any deterioration, rottenness, abnormal death or spoilage of the animal or fresh goods. If no
commodity inspection document can be provided due to any objective factor, a corresponding document certifying the quality of the
goods and a guarantee letter shall be provided instead;

(4)

a certifying document issued by the commercial office of the embassy or consulate of China to the country of the exporter, in the
case of a balance caused by force majeure such as a natural disaster, war, national emergency policy and etc.;

(5)

the relevant news reporting materials or a certifying document issued by the commercial office of the embassy or consulate of China
to the country of the exporter or the relevant legal document, in the case of a balance caused by the bankruptcy, closure or dissolution
of the exporter;

(6)

the current exchange rate quotation of the paying bank, in the case of a balance caused by the exchange rate movement;

(7)

a commodity inspection certificate, the bill of lading or shipping document, in the case of a balance caused by over or short shipment;

(8)

the import contract, taxation certificate, the receipt of freight insurance premium and the relevant commercial documents (excluding
the case where the amounts of the freight insurance premium and incidental expenses are indicated in the declaration form of imported
goods), in the case of a balance caused by any incidental expenses such as freight insurance premium and sundry fees where such incidental
expenses are included in the total price of the contract;

(9)

the import contract, a certificate issued by the customs with regard to the declaration form of imported goods, an overdue tax payment
certificate and the relevant commercial documents, in the case a balance taking place under the import of any mental ore in sand
form or any other bulk cargo; or

(10)

the valid certificates as may be required by the foreign exchange bureaus in the case of a balance caused by any other factor.

Article 8

When applying for the verification and cancellation of a balance due to more delivered goods, the importer shall state the balance
under the declaration form of the imported goods in the Verification and Cancellation Form on the Arrival of Goods and the Payments
of Foreign Exchange, and indicate ￿￿reserved￿￿ or ￿￿cancelled￿￿ in the ￿￿notes￿￿ column.

To apply for the verification and cancellation of a payment balance of foreign exchange for imports under a single contract, which
is more than the equivalent of 5,000 US dollars and exceeds 2% of the contract price due to more delivered goods, the importer shall
provide to the foreign exchange bureau a statement letter on the balance with its corporate seal on it.

Article 9

When handling the verification and cancellation of an importer￿￿s balance due to more delivered goods, the foreign exchange bureau
shall, in the Foreign Exchange Payment System for Imports of China Electronic Port, shall verify and cancel the original e-account
of the importer￿￿s declaration form of imported goods indicated as ￿￿cancelled￿￿.

Article 10

These Measures shall not, for the time being, apply to the automatic verification and cancellation of foreign exchange payment for
imports under a transaction in the form of remittance on delivery or to the examination on verification and cancellation of any foreign
exchange payment for imports conducted against an exchange receipt voucher under any transit trade, use of materials for an external
engineering project or any re-exchange bill by import.

Article 11

When handling the verification and cancellation of a foreign exchange payment balance for imports, the foreign exchange bureaus shall
verify the relevant receipts and certificates strictly, indicate the amount of the balance and the date and affix the stamp of ￿￿verified￿￿
on the Verification and Cancellation Form on the Arrival of Goods and the Payments of Foreign Exchange and keep the relevant receipts
and certificates.

Article 12

Every foreign exchange bureau shall, pursuant to the local conditions, establish and improve an internal control system of level-by-level
authorization of foreign exchange payment for imports.

Article 13

Each of the SAFE￿￿s branches shall conduct information collection and statistics of the verification of balances taking place in its
region, and within the first five working days of each month, submit to the SAFE an e-report on the verification and cancellation
of foreign exchange payment balance for imports.

Article 14

The power to interpret these Measures shall remain with the SAFE.

Article 15

These Measures shall go into effect as of February 1, 2005. Where there is any provision conflicting with these Measures, these Measures
shall prevail.

 
State Administration of Foreign Exchange
2004-12-03

 




URGENT NOTICE OF THE MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND THE STATE ADMINISTRATION ON FURTHER IMPLEMENTATION OF THE POLICY CONCERNING EXTENDING VALUE ADDED TAX CREDIT SCOPE

The Ministry of Finance, the State Administration on Taxation

Urgent Notice of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration on Further Implementation of the Policy Concerning Extending
Value Added Tax Credit Scope

Cai Shui [2004] No. 226

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

After the distribution of the documents of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of Taxation concerning revitalization
of Northeast old industrial base, they have been enthusiastically implemented by the financial and tax sectors in Northeast region.
In order to further implement the spirit of the State Council on revitalization of Northeast old industrial base, to put into practice
the extension of VAT credit scope and year-end tax refund of enterprises’ fixed asset, the supplementary notice concerning the extension
of VAT credit scope is hereby given as follows:

1.

Any enterprise subsumed under the extended scope of VAT credit (hereinafter referred to as “taxpayer”) that fails to pay VAT duly
shall, whether it has new amount of VAT to be paid or not, firstly offset VAT arrears against income tax of fixed assets and carry
it out in strict accordance with the relevant provisions concerning offset of VAT arrears in Notice of the Ministry of Finance,
the State Administration on Taxation on Printing and Distribution of Interim Measure on Extending the Value-Added Tax Credit Scope
in Northeast Region in 2004 (Cai Shui [2004] No. 168).

As for the outstanding tax prior to May 1, 2005 that is offset (deducted), in case that a unified exempt policy comes out in future
, the offset outstanding tax that is exemptible may be adjusted correspondingly.

2.

Where the fixed asset income tax gets surplus after having offset tax arrears by taxpayer(s) from July 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004,
tax reimbursement may be counted in the VAT achieved and paid without following new VAT rebate after the approval of Departments
(Bureaus) of Finance of Liaoning Province, Jilin Province, Heilongjiang Province and Dalian City. The unfinished rebate of fixed
asset income tax shall be credited next year.

3.

All level tax authorities shall perform well in the work of tax refund of fixed assets income tax amount and shall conduct examination
and verification in strict accordance with relevant requirements; the refundable VAT shall be refunded to taxpayers promptly prior
to December 31, 2004.

4.

The measures for credit of income tax amount of enterprises’ fixed assets and for extension of VAT credit scope in Northeast region
in 2005 shall be regulated separately.

The Notice is thereby given and shall be implemented accordingly.

The Ministry of Finance

The State Administration of Taxation

December 27, 2004



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

 







THE INTERIM PROVISIONS CONCERNING ESTABLISHMENT OF MEETING AND EXHIBITION COMPANY ON FOREIGN BUSINESSMAN INVESTMENT

Ministry of commerce

Decree of Ministry of commerce of people’s Republic of China

No. 1

The interim provisions concerning establishment of meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment were reviewed
and adopted at the first Ministry Affairs Session of the Ministry of commerce of People’s Republic of China, promulgated now and
effective 30 days after the date of promulgation.

Lu Fu Yuan, Minister of Ministry of commerce

January 13, 2004

The interim provisions concerning establishment of meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment

Article 1

This provisions were formulated for the purpose of encouraging foreign company, enterprises and other economic organization to establish
meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment, hold foreign economy and technology exhibition and meeting in accordance
with law of the people’s Republic of China on Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, law of the people’s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign
Contractual Joint Ventures, law of the people’s Republic of China on foreign-capital enterprises and relate law and regulations

Article 2

The state encourages to introduce advanced special technology internationally on organizing meeting, exhibition and specialty exchange
to establish meeting and exhibition company on foreign businessman investment, to promote exhibition business of the state to develop,
to gain great social and economic efficient. The proper business activity within the territory of China and legitimate rights and
interests of meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment shall receive the protection of Chinese law.

Article 3

Ministry of commerce of People’s Republic of China (hereafter referred to as Ministry of commerce) and departments of commercial affairs
with its authorization are organs in charge of inspection, approval and administration of meeting and exhibition Company on foreign
businessman investment.

Article 4

meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment with its establishment upon approval may operate these businesses
as followed according to regulations:

(1)

To host and undertake various exhibition and meeting on economy and technology within the territory of china

(2)

To hold meetings outside the territory of china

For holding meeting and exhibition outside the territory of china, if there are other stipulations, it shall be followed.

Article 5

the foreign investor may, in accordance with the provisions, establish meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment
either in the foreign-invested form within the territory of china or in the form of equity joint and Contractual Joint with the company,
enterprises and other economic organization (hereafter referred as Chinese investor) in accordance with the principle of equality,
mutual benefit.

Article 6

the foreign investor applying for establishment of meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment shall request
the r experiences and achievements that it have ever host ed the international fair, specialty exhibition and international meeting.

Article 7

where the applicant applies for meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment, it shall submit the followed files
to the commercial affairs department in charge at provincial level of the company’s domicile.

(1)

The application for establishment of meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment signed by the investor

(2)

The contract and constitution of meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment signed by the investor (the constitution
is only requested if establishing the meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment in the form of exclusive investment)

(3)

The registration certificate of investor (copy document), the certificate of legal preventative (copy document), the delegation certificate
of member of board of director and the credit certificate of bank.

(4)

The notice of pre-check and approval for name to establish the meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment issued
by the administrations for industry and commerce (copy document), and

(5)

The certificate that the foreign investor have ever hosted he international fair, specialty exhibition and international meeting.

Article 8

the commercial affairs department in charge at provincial level shall determine to make approval or not within the 30 days from the
date of receiving the whole documents prescribed as article 7 of this provision. If determining to make approval, it shall issue
the certificate for the foreign-invested company; if not determining to make approval, it shall demonstrate the cause and apprise
the applicant of the right of application for administrative review in accordance with law and bring a administrative suit.

Article 9

the applicant shall, within a month after the date of receiving the certificate for the foreign-invested company issued, apply to
administration for industry and commerce for making registration in accordance with related regulations of the state.

Article 10

where the meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment apply for hosting exhibition on economy and technology
in china, it shall take action in accordance with relate regulations of the state.

The administrative regulations as far as the meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment in china invites to
attend the international economic and trade exhibition held outside the territory of china or hold the said exhibition outside territory
of china shall be e old the said exhibition outside the territory of china stipulated separately.

Article 11

where the meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment alter the Chinese and foreign investor, alter the shares
and alter the branches, after reporting commercial affairs departments in charge at provincial level for approval, it shall complete
the registration formalities of business license in administration for industry and commerce in accordance with the provisions

Article 12

the meeting and exhibition Company on foreign businessman investment shall, while importing the exhibits, handle import procedure
and make administration and supervision in accordance with related supervisory and administrative provisions for imported exhibits.

Article 13

where the company, enterprise and other economic organizations of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative
Region, Taiwan establish the said company in the mainland, it shall implement by reference to this provisions.

Article 14

the provisions shall be interpreted by Department of Commerce.

Article 15

the provisions shall come into force as of 30 days after issue.



 
Ministry of commerce
2004-01-13

 







NOTICE OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF TAXATION ON SOME ISSUES CONCERNING THE PUNISHMENTS FOR ACTS IN VIOLATION OF THE REGULATIONS ON STAMP TAX

the State Administration of Taxation

Notice of the State Administration of Taxation on Some Issues Concerning the Punishments for Acts in Violation of the Regulations
on Stamp Tax

GuoShuiFa [2004] No. 15

January 29th, 2004

The bureaus of local taxation of all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities
directly under state planning:

After the amendment and re-promulgation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration of Tax Collection (hereinafter
referred to as LATC) and the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration
of Tax Collection (DRILATC), some provisions in Article 13 of the Interim Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on Stamp
Tax (hereinafter referred to as IRST) and in Articles 39 through 41 of the Detailed Rules for the Implementation of the Interim Regulations
on Stamp Tax are inapplicable (hereinafter referred to as DRIIRST). In order to intensify the administration on the collection of
stamp tax, the applicable punitive provisions on acts in violation of the regulations regarding the stamp tax are hereby notified:

Any taxpayer of stamp tax who has committed any of the following acts shall be punished by the tax organ in light of the seriousness
of the actual circumstances:

1.

The punitive provisions in Article 64 of the LATC shall be applicable, if a taxpayer fails to stick or sticks less than the required
fiscal stamps on the tax payment receipts, or fails to cancel or cross out the fiscal stamps stuck on the tax payment receipts.

2.

The punitive provisions in Article 63 of the LATC shall be applicable, if a taxpayer tears off and re-uses the already stuck fiscal
stamps.

3.

The punitive provisions in Article 91 of the DRILATC shall be applicable, if a taxpayer counterfeits fiscal stamps.

4.

With regard to a taxpayer who shall pay the total amount of stamp tax due regularly, if it fails to pay or pays less than the amount
of stamp tax due within the time limit as required by the tax organ, it shall be punished according to the punitive provisions of
Articles 63 and 64 of the LATC in light of the nature of its offence; if the circumstance is serious, its license for the regular
payment of the total amount of stamp tax due shall be cancelled simultaneously.

5.

Where a taxpayer is in violation of any of the following provisions, the punitive provisions in Article 60 of the LATC shall be applicable:

(1)

Article 23 of the DRIIRST, which provides that “Where the stamp tax is paid regularly, the tax payer shall affix an aggregate payment
stamp and serial numbers designated by the tax organ on the tax payment receipts and bind them into a complete book, and after the
stamps or payment slip attachments are cancelled by affixing a seal, the documents shall be kept for future reference”.

(2)

Article 25 of the DRIIRST, which provides that “The taxpayer shall properly preserve the tax payment receipts. With regard to the
preservation periods of the tax payment receipts, those governed by any clear provisions of the state shall be handled according
to these provisions; other documents shall be kept for one year after their expiry date.”

The present Circular shall be implemented as of its promulgation.



 
the State Administration of Taxation
2004-01-29

 







CIRCULAR CONCERNING THE ADDITION OF THE OPEN MARKET OPERATIONS PRIMARY DEALERS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MECHANISM CONCERNING APPRAISING AND ADJUSTING THE PRIMARY DEALERS IN 2004






Circular concerning the Addition of the Open Market Operations Primary Dealers and the Establishment of the Mechanism concerning Appraising
and Adjusting the Primary Dealers in 2004

[2004] No 2

Each open market operations primary dealer and national inter-bank bond market member :

The Addition of the Open Market Operations Primary Dealers and the Establishment of the Mechanism concerning Appraising and Adjusting
the Primary Dealers in 2004are hereby notified as follows:

1.

Expanding the range of the open market operations primary dealers

Since 2004, some securities companies, insurance companies and rural credit cooperatives unions are added into the list of the open
market operations primary dealers by People’s Bank of China in addition to the commercial banks. Simultaneously, People’s Bank of
China chooses the open market operations primary dealers of different types of institutions to implement transactions subject to
the different operation varieties of open market operations. All the open market operations primary dealers, including the commercial
banks, securities companies, insurance companies and rural credit cooperatives unions, may take part in the People’s Bank of China’s
operation of the issue of central bank bills; the deposit financial institutions of the open market operations primary dealers, namely
the commercial banks and rural credit cooperatives unions, may take part in the operation of repurchase; priority shall be given
to the bond market-makers among open market operations primary dealers as approved by the People’s Bank of China in implementing
cash bond operation, and the People’s Bank of China may decide to implement the operation with all the open market operations primary
dealers in accordance with the market situation and the operation requirements .

2.

Adding open market operations primary dealers of 2004

According to the bonds underwriting situation of the primary bond market, the transaction situation of the secondary bond market,
assets scale, level of management and financial condition of the financial institutions, after considering the local elements, the
People’s Bank of China decided to add two securities companies, namely Guotai Junan Securities Co., Ltd.. and CITIC Securities Co.,
Ltd.; four insurance companies, namely China Life Insurance Co., Ltd., China Ping An Life Insurance Co., Ltd., Huatai Property Insurance
Co., Ltd. and Taikang Life Insurance Co.,Ltd.; two rural credit cooperatives unions, namely Rural Credit Cooperatives Union of Beijing
and Rural Credit Cooperatives Union of Shanghai; and one commercial bank Baotou Commercial Bank, totally nine institutions in all
as the primary dealers of open market operations. There are altogether 52 open market operations primary institutions in all in 2004.
See Appendix 1 for the detailed name list.

3.

Establishing the mechanism on appraising and adjusting the open market operations primary dealers

The People’s Bank of China establishes the mechanism concerning annually appraising and adjusting the open market operations primary
dealers since 2004. The specific content is as follows:

(1)

Making evaluation index system. The People’s Bank of China makes the evaluation index system towards the national inter-bank bond
market members (hereinafter referred to as market members), the main content of the system contains the situation concerning taking
part in open market operations, underwriting situation of the primary bond market, trading situation of the secondary bond market
and the implementation and conduction of monetary policies, etc. The specific evaluation index system can be found in Appendix 2.

(2)

Setting the index weight coefficient, scoring standards and the calculating value. The People’s Bank of China determines the index
weight coefficient, scoring standards and calculates the score value of major market members through comprehensive consideration
of all kinds of elements.

(3)

Determining the open market operations primary dealers subject to the rules. Since 2004, the number of open market operations primary
dealers shall be maintained at 52, among which, the proportions of commercial banks, insurance companies, insurance companies and
rural credit cooperatives unions shall be determined subject to the trading situation and the monetary regulation requirements of
the previous year. The People’s Bank of China calculates the score value subject to the evaluation index system, weight coefficient
and scoring standards, evaluates and ranks the above-mentioned four categories of institutions among the major market members, those
ranking high should be put on the planned list of open market operations primary dealers. The People’s Bank of China should determine
and publicize the list of the open market operations primary dealers after soliciting the opinions of the related supervising departments
on whether a dealer observes the requirements of the related supervising departments and on its business performance.

Furthermore, as for an institution that fails to perform the related obligations in open market operations, the People’s Bank of China
may suspend the transactions with this institution in accordance with the related provisions.

By the end of 2004￿￿in accordance with the above-mentioned principles and procedures, the People’s Bank of China will choose 42 commercial
banks, 4 securities companies, 4 insurance companies and 2rural credit cooperative unions, a altogether 52institutions in all, as
the open market operations primary dealers of the year 2005.

Appendix 1: Name List of the Open Market Operations Primary Dealers 2004

Appendix 2: Indices for Evaluating the Open Market Operations Primary Dealers

The Operating Office of the Open Market Operations of the People’s Bank of China

February 25, 2004


Appendix 1

￿￿

Appendix 1:

Name List of the Primary Dealers of Open Market Operations 2004

￿￿

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China

Wuhan Commercial Bank

Agricultural Bank of China

Jinan Commercial Bank

Bank of China

Urumchi Commercial Bank

China Construction Bank

Changsha Commercial Bank

Bank of Communications

Dalian Commercial Bank

CITIC Industrial Bank

Zibo Commercial Bank

China Everbright Bank

Evergrowing Bank

Huaxia Bank

Xiamen Commercial Bank

China Minsheng Banking Corp., Ltd.

Shijiazhuang Commercial Bank

Guangdong Development Bank

Qingdao Commercial Bank

Shanghai Pudong Development Bank

Kunming Commercial Bank

Industrial Bank

Taiyuan Commercial Bank

China Merchants Bank

Xi'an Commercial Bank

Shenzhen Development Bank

Luoyang Commercial Bank

Beijing Commercial Bank

Harbin Commercial Bank

Tianjian Commercial Bank

Hefei Commercial Bank

Bank of Shanghai

Guiyang Commercial Bank

Nanjiaing Commercial Bank

Baotou Commercial Bank

Guangzhou Commercial Bank

Guotai Junan Securities Co., Ltd.

Zhuhai Commercial Bank

CITIC Securities Co., Ltd.

Fuzhou Commercial Bank

China Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

Chengdu Commercial Bank

China Ping An Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

Chongqing Commercial Bank

Huatai Property Insurance Co., Ltd.

Shenzhen Commercial Bank

Taikang Life Insurance Co., Ltd.

Hangzhou Commercial Bank

Rural Credit Cooperatives Union of Beijing

Wuxi Commercial Bank

Rural Credit Cooperatives Union of Shanghai

￿￿

Appendix 2:

Indices for Evaluating the Primary Dealers of Open Market Operations

￿￿

Institution Name

Participation in Open Market Operations

Primary Bond Market Conditions

Issuance of Central Bank Bills

Repurchase Transactions

Cash Bond Transactions

Underwriting Volume

Distribution Volume

Hitting Frequency Ratio

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

Secondary Bond Market Conditions

Implementation and Conduction of Monetary Policies

Cash Bond Transactions

Repurchase Transactions

Bilateral Quotation of Bond Market- Maker

Implementation  of Window

 Guidance of the Central  Bank

Daily Report on Liquidity

Suspension of Open Market Transaction

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿


CIRCULAR OF THE STATE ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE ON RELEVANT ISSUES OF THE STANDARDIZED ADMINISTRATION OF THE FOREIGN EXCHANGE SETTLEMENT BUSINESS OF INDIVIDUAL RESIDENTS

20070201

State Administration of Foreign Exchange

Circular of the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on Relevant Issues of the Standardized Administration of the Foreign Exchange
Settlement Business of Individual Residents

HuiFa [2004] No. 18

March 18th, 2004

The branches and offices under the State Administration of Foreign Exchange in all provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities
directly under the Central Government, the branches of Shenzhen, Dalian, Qingdao, Xiamen and Ningbo, all designated foreign exchange
banks:

Some provisions of the administration of foreign exchange individual residents are properly adjusted with a view to strengthening
and improving foreign exchange administration and promoting the international balance of payments. The guiding principles are to
further promote trade and investment facilitation to ensure smooth proceeding of trade and investment activities which confirm to
the provisions of the national laws and policies,, and at the same time, to manage the capital account effectively and prevent the
speculative cross-boarder capital transaction to be completed through non-trading foreign exchanges channels of resident and non-resident
individuals. Relevant issues of the administration of the foreign exchange settlement business of individual residents are notified
as follows:

I.

The lawful foreign exchange income of individual residents may conduct foreign exchange settlement with banks according to relevant
provisions. The banks shall examine strictly the authenticity of the foreign exchange settlement required by the individual residents.

II.

For the settlement of foreign exchanges with an equivalent amount of less than USD 10,000 (including USD 10,000) required by an individual
resident at a time, real identity certificates should be presented. For the settlement of foreign exchanges with an equivalent amount
of more than USD 10,000 but less than USD 50,000 (including USD 50,000) required by at a time, the bank shall examine the certificates
of real identity and of the source of the lawful foreign exchanges according to Article 10 of the Interim Measures for the Administration
of Foreign Exchanges of Domestic Individual Residents. For the settlement of foreign exchanges with an equivalent amount of more
than USD 50,000, the individual resident shall apply to the local foreign exchange authority with the above-mentioned materials,
and then go through formalities with the bank with the documents of approval issued by the local foreign exchange authority upon
authenticity verification.

III.

After verification by the foreign exchange authority and settlement of foreign exchange for individual residents by the banks, duplicate
copies of the certificate documents provided by the individual residents should be kept for 5 years for future reference.

IV.

Foreign exchange income from the trade account and capital account of individual residents shall be settled according to relevant
provisions.

V.

In the business of foreign exchange settlement for individual residents, the banks shall strictly enforce the Measures for the Administration
of the Reporting by Financial Institutions of Large Amount and Suspicious Foreign Exchange Capital Transactions (Decree No.3 (2003)
of the People’s Bank of China) and in a timely manner report large amount and suspicious foreign exchange capital transactions to
the higher banks and foreign exchange authorities.

VI.

Local foreign exchange authorities shall strength the examination and supervision of the banks’ business of foreign exchange settlement
for individual residents on its conformity with the relevant provisions. Anyone with violation of provisions in this circular shall
be punished by the foreign exchange authorities according to Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on the Administration
of Foreign Exchanges and other relevant stipulations.

VII.

This circular shall be put into implementation as of April 1st, 2004. In the case of any inconsistency between relevant stipulations
and this circular, provisions in this circular shall prevail.

Upon receiving this circular, all foreign exchange authorities shall transmit it to the foreign exchange authorities, foreign invested
banks and the city commercial banks under their respective jurisdiction as quickly as possible. Designated Chinese funded foreign
exchange banks shall transmit it to their respective branches as soon as possible. Feedback can be made to the Department of Current
Account Administration under the State administration of Foreign Exchange for any problems during implementation.

 
State Administration of Foreign Exchange
2004-03-18

 




NOTICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL ON ADJUSTING THE PROPORTIONS OF REGISTERED CAPITAL IN FIXED ASSET INVESTMENT PROJECTS OF SOME INDUSTRIES

the State Council on Adjusting

Notice of the State Council on Adjusting the Proportions of Registered Capital in Fixed Asset Investment Projects of Some Industries

No. 13[2004] of the State Council

April 26, 2004

Since this year, the national economy has been maintaining a favorable momentum, the reform and opening has been further carried forward
steadily and the social undertakings have been developed in an all-around way. At the same time, those outstanding conflicts existing
in the economic operation have become increasingly apparent, which are embodied in such aspects as the over-increase in investment,
too many newly started projects, the under-construction scale being too large, and the irrational investment structure. There exists
blind investment in industries of steel, electrolytic aluminum and cement, there is serious phenomenon of low-quality repeated construction,
the increase rate of development and investment of real estate is too high and the development capital is excessively dependent on
bank loans. In order to strengthen the macro regulation, adjust and optimize the economic structure and promote a sound development
of the aforesaid industries, the State Council has decided to adjust the proportions of capital money of construction projects in
industries of steel, electrolytic aluminum, cement and real estate development as prescribed in the Notice of the State Council on
Piloting the System of Registered Capital on Fixed Asset Investment Projects (No. 35 [1996] of the State Council): (1) The proportion
of capital money of steel projects shall be raised from 25% or more to 40% or more; (2) The proportion of registered capital of projects
of cement, electrolytic aluminum and real estate development (excluding projects of affordable houses) shall be raised from 20% or
more to 35% or more.

The relevant provisions of this Notice shall go into effect as of the date of promulgation.



 
the State Council on Adjusting
2004-04-26

 







ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND THE STATE ADMINISTRATION FOR INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE

the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce

Announcement of the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce

[2004] No. 25

June 3, 2004

In accordance with the Circular of the General Office of the State Council Concerning Sorting out and Consolidating Non-experimental
Commercial Enterprises with Foreign Investment (Guo Ban Fa [1998] No. 98) and the Circular Concerning Better Implement of Sorting
out and Consolidating Non-experimental Commercial Enterprises with Foreign Investment (Guo Jing Mao Wai Jing [2001] No. 787) which
was approved by the General Office of the State Council and promulgated by the former State Economy and Trade Commission, the former
Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the five enterprises of
Erbai Yongxin Corp,. Ltd. Shanghai, Aotuo Qibai Mail Order Corp,. Ltd. Shanghai, Stock General Merchandises Corp,. Ltd. Shanghai,
Golden World Shopping Center Corp,. Ltd. Shanghai and Kunlun Taiwan Shopping Mall Corp,. Ltd. Shanghai are in line with the Five
Shall- not Enterprises, which means that they shall have no right to operate import and export, shall not operate wholesale business,
shall not re-expand the business scope and scale of construction, shall not open branches and extend the duration of joint operations
and shall not benefit from the policy of tax reduction or tax exemption for importing equipment and materials of own use.

This is hereby notified.



 
the Ministry of Commerce, the State Administration for Industry and Commerce
2004-06-03

 







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...