The State Council
Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China on Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign
Enterprises
Decree [1991] No.85 of the State Council
June 30, 1991
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1
These Rules are formulated in accordance with the provisions of Article 29 of the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China
on Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises (hereinafter referred to as the “Tax Law”).
Article 2
“Income from production and business operations” mentioned in Article 1 , paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 of the Tax Law means income
from production and business operations in manufacturing, mining, communications and transportation, construction and installation,
agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, fishery, water conservation, commerce, finance, service industries, exploration and exploitation,
and in other trades.
“Income from other sources” mentioned in Article 1 , paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 of the Tax Law means profits (dividends), interest,
rents, income from the transfer of property, income from the provision or transfer of patents, proprietary technology, income from
trademark rights and copyrights as well as other nonbusiness income.
Article 3
“Enterprises with foreign investment” mentioned in Article 2 , paragraph 1 of the Tax Law and “foreign companies, enterprises and
other economic organizations which have establishments or places in China and engage in production or business operations” mentioned
in Article 2 , paragraph 2 of the Tax Law are, unless otherwise especially specified, generally all referred to as “enterprises”
in these Rules.
“Establishments or places” mentioned in Article 2 , paragraph 2 of the Tax Law refers to management organizations, business organizations,
administrative organizations and places for factories and the exploitation of natural resources, places for contracting of construction,
installation, assembly, and exploration work, places for the provision of labor services, and business agents.
Article 4
“Business agents” mentioned in Article 3 , paragraph 2 of these Rules means companies, enterprises and other economic organizations
or individuals entrusted by foreign enterprises to engage as agents in any of the following:
(1)
representing principals on a regular basis in the arranging of purchases and signing of purchase contracts and the purchasing of commodities
on commission;
(2)
entering into agency agreements or contracts with principals, storing on a regular basis products or commodities owned by principals,
and delivering on behalf of principals such products or commodities to other parties; and
(3)
having authority to represent principals on a regular basis in signing of sales contracts or in accepting of purchase orders.
Article 5
“Head office” mentioned in Article 3 of the Tax Law refers to the central organization which is established in China by an enterprise
with foreign investment as a legal person pursuant to the laws of China and which is responsible for the management, operations and
control over such enterprise.
Income from production and business operations and other income derived by the branches within or outside China of an enterprise with
foreign investment shall be consolidated by the head office for purposes of the payment of income tax.
Article 6
“Income derived from sources inside China” mentioned in Article 3 of the Tax Law refers to:
(1)
income from production and business operations derived by enterprises with foreign investment and foreign enterprises which have establishments
or places in China, as well as profits (dividends), interest, rents, royalties and other income arising within or outside China actually
connected with establishments or sites established in China by enterprises with foreign investment or foreign enterprises;
(2)
the following income received by foreign enterprises which have no establishments or sites in China:
(a)
profits (dividends) earned by enterprises in China;
(b)
interest derived within China such as on deposits or loans, interest on bonds, interest on payments made provisionally for others,
and deferred payments;
(c)
rentals on property leased to and used by lessees in China;
(d)
royalties such as those received from the provision of patents, proprietary technology, trademarks and copyrights for use in China;
(e)
gains from the transfer of property, such as houses, buildings, structures and attached facilities located in China and from the assignment
of land use rights within China;
(f)
other income derived from China and stipulated by the Ministry of Finance to be subject to tax.
Article 7
In respect of Chinese-foreign contractual joint ventures that do not constitute legal persons, each partner thereto may separately
compute and pay income tax in accordance with the relevant tax laws and regulations of the State; income tax may, upon approval by
the local tax authorities of an application submitted by such enterprises, be computed and paid on a consolidated basis in accordance
with the provisions of the Tax Law.
Article 8
“Tax year” mentioned in Article 4 of the Tax Law begins on January 1 and ends on December 31 under the Gregorian Calendar.
Foreign enterprises that have difficulty computing taxable income in accordance with the tax year stipulated in the Tax Law may, upon
approval by the local tax authorities of an application submitted by such enterprises, use their own 12month fiscal year as the tax
year.
Enterprises commencing business operations in the middle of a tax year or actually operating for a period of less than 12 months in
any tax year due to such factors as merger or shutdown shall use the actual period of operations as the tax year.
Enterprises that undergo liquidation shall use the period of liquidation as the tax year.
Article 9
“The competent authority for tax affairs under the State Council” mentioned in Article 8 , paragraph 3 and Article 19 , paragraph
3, subparagraph (4) of the Tax Law and Article 72 of these Rules refers to the Ministry of Finance and the State Tax Bureau.
Chapter II Computation of Taxable Income
Article 10
“The formula for the computation of taxable income” mentioned in Article 4 of the Tax Law is as follows:
(1)
Manufacturing:
(a)
taxable income = (profit on sales) + (profit from other operations) + (non-business income) – (non-business expenses);
(b)
profit on sales = (net sales) – (cost of products sold) – (taxes on sales) – [ (selling expenses) + (administrative expenses) + (finance
expenses) ];
(c)
net sales = (gross sales) – [ (sales returns) + (sales discounts and allowances) ];
(d)
cost of products sold = (cost of products manufactured for the period) + (inventory of finished products at the beginning of the period)
– (inventory of finished products at the end of the period);
(e)
cost of products manufactured for the period = (manufacturing costs for the period) + (inventory of semifinished products and products
in process at the beginning of the period) – (inventory of semi-finished products and products in process at the end of the period);
(f)
manufacturing costs for the period = (direct materials consumed in production for the period) + (direct labour) + (manufacturing expenses).
(2)
Commerce:
(a)
taxable income = (profit on sales) + (profit from other operations) + (non-business income) – (non-business expenses);
(b)
profit on sales = (net sales) – (cost of sales) – (taxes on sales) – [ (selling expenses) + (administrative expenses) + (finance expenses)
];
(c)
net sales = (gross sales) – [ (sales returns) + (sales discounts and allowances) ];
(d)
cost of sales = (inventory of merchandise at the beginning of the period) + { (purchase of merchandise during the period) – [ (purchase
returns) + (purchase discounts and allowances) ] + (purchasing expenses) } – (inventory of merchandise at the end of the period).
(3)
Service trades:
(a)
taxable income = (net business income) + (non-operating income) – (non-operating expenses);
(b)
net business income = (gross business income) – [ (taxes on business income) + (operating expenses) + (administrative expenses) +
(finance expenses) ].
(4)
Other lines of business:Computations shall be made with reference to the above formulas.
Article 11
The computation of taxable income of an enterprise shall, in principle, be on an accrual basis.
The following income from business operations of an enterprise may be determined by stages and used as the basis for the computation
of taxable income:
(1)
Where products or commodities are sold by instalment payment methods, income from sales may be recognized according to the invoice
date of the products or commodities to be delivered; income from sales may also be recognized according to the date of payment to
be made by the buyer as agreed upon in the contract;
(2)
Where construction, installation and assembly projects, and provision of labour services extend beyond one year, income may be recognized
according to the progress of the project or the amount of work completed;
(3)
Where the processing or manufacturing of heavy machinery, equipments and ships for other enterprises extends beyond one year, income
may be recognized according to the progress of the project or amount of work completed.
Article 12
Where Chinese-foreign contractual joint ventures operate on the basis of product sharing, the partners thereto shall be deemed to
receive income at the time of the division of the products; the amount of income shall be computed according to the price sold to
third party or with reference to prevailing market prices.
Where foreign enterprises are engaged in the cooperative exploration of petroleum resources, the partners thereto shall be deemed
to receive income at the time of the division of the crude oil; the amount of income shall be computed according to a price which
is adjusted periodically with reference to the international market prices of crude oil of similar quality.
Article 13
In respect of income obtained by enterprises in the form of non-monetary assets or rights and interests, such income shall be computed
or appraised with reference to prevailing market prices.
Article 14
“Exchange rate quoted by the State exchange control authorities” mentioned in Article 21 of the Tax Law refers to the buying rate
quoted by the State Administration of Exchange Control.
Article 15
In respect of income obtained by enterprises in foreign currency, upon payment of income tax in quarterly instalments in accordance
with the provisions of Article 15 of the Tax Law, taxable income shall be computed by converting the income into Renminbi according
to the exchange rate quotation on the last day of the quarter. At the time of final settlement following the end of the year, no
recomputation and reconversion need be made in respect of income in a foreign currency for which tax has already been paid on a quarterly
basis; only that portion of the foreign currency income of the entire year for which tax has not been paid shall, in respect of the
computation of taxable income, be converted into Renminbi according to the exchange rate quotation on the last day of the tax year.
Article 16
Where an enterprise is unable to provide complete and accurate certificates of costs and expenses and is unable to correctly compute
taxable income, the local tax authorities shall determine the rate of profit and compute taxable income with reference to the profit
level of other enterprises in the same or similar trade. Where an enterprise is unable to provide complete and accurate certificates
of revenues and is unable to report income correctly, the local tax authorities shall appraise and determine taxable income by the
use of such methods as cost (expense) plus reasonable profits.
When the tax authorities appraise and determine profit rates or revenues in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph,
and where other treatment is provided by the laws, regulations and rules, such other treatment shall be applicable.
Article 17
Foreign air transportation and ocean shipping enterprises engaged in international transport business shall use 5% of the gross revenues
from passenger and cargo transport and shipping services arising within China as taxable income.
Article 18
Where an enterprise with foreign investment invests in another enterprise within China, the profits (dividends) so obtained from the
enterprise receiving such investment may be excluded from taxable income of the enterprise; however, expenses and losses incurred
in such abovementioned investments shall not be deducted from taxable income of the enterprise.
Article 19
Unless otherwise stipulated by the State, the following items shall not be itemized as costs, expenses or losses in the computation
of taxable income:
(1)
expenses in connection with the acquisition or construction of fixed assets;
(2)
expenses in connection with the transfer or development of intangible assets;
(3)
interest on capital;
(4)
various income tax payments;
(5)
fines for illegal business operations and losses due to the confiscation of property;
(6)
surcharges and fines for overdue payment of taxes;
(7)
the portion of losses due to natural disasters or accidents for which there has been compensation;
(8)
donations and contributions other than those used in China for public welfare or relief purposes;
(9)
royalties paid to the head office;
(10)
other expenses not related to production or business operations.
Article 20
Reasonable administrative expenses paid by a foreign enterprise with an establishment or site in China to the head office in connection
with production or business operations of the establishment or site shall be permitted to be itemized as expenses following agreement
by the local tax authorities after an examination and verification of documents of proof issued by the head office in respect of
the scope of the administrative expenses, total amounts, the basis and methods of allocation, which shall be provided together with
an accompanying verification report of a certified public accountant.
Administrative expenses in connection with production and business operations shall be allocated reasonably between enterprises with
foreign investment and their branches.
Article 21
Reasonable interest payments incurred on loans in connection with production and business operations shall be permitted to be itemized
as expenses following agreement by the local tax authorities after an examination and verification of documents of proof, which shall
be provided by the enterprises in respect of the loans and interest payments.
Interest paid on loans used by enterprises for the purchase or construction of fixed assets or the transfer or development of intangible
assets prior to the assets being put into use shall be included in the original value of the assets.
“Reasonable interest” mentioned in the first paragraph of this Article refers to interest computed at a rate not higher than normal
commercial lending rates.
Article 22
Entertainment expenses incurred by enterprises in connection with production and business operations shall, when supported by authentic
records or invoices and vouchers, be permitted to be itemized as expenses subject to the following limits:
(1)
Where annual net sales are 15 million yuan (RMB) or less, not to exceed 0.5% of net sales; for that portion of annual net sales that
exceeds 15 million yuan (RMB), not to exceed 0.3% of that portion of net sales.
(2)
Where annual gross business income is 5 million yuan (RMB) or less, not to exceed 1% of annual gross business income; for that portion
of annual gross business income that exceeds 5 million yuan (RMB), not to exceed 0.5% of that portion of annual gross business income.
Article 23
Exchange gains or losses incurred by enterprises during preconstruction or during production and business operations shall, except
as otherwise provided by the State, be appropriately itemized as gains or losses for that respective period.
Article 24
Salaries and wages, and benefits and allowances paid by enterprises to employees shall be permitted to be itemized as expenses following
agreement by the local tax authorities after an examination and verification of the submission of wage scales and supporting documents
and relevant materials.
Foreign social security premiums paid by enterprises to employees working in China shall not be itemized as expenses.
Article 25
Enterprises engaged in such businesses as credit and leasing operations may, on the basis of actual requirements and following approval
by the local tax authorities of a report thereon, provide year-by-year bad debt provisions, the amount of which shall not exceed
3% of the amount of the year-end loan balances (not including inter-bank loans) or the amount of accounts receivable, bills receivable
and other such receivables, to be deducted from taxable income of that year.
The portion of the actual bad debt losses incurred by an enterprise which exceeds the bad debt provisions of the preceding year may
be itemized as a loss in the current year; the portion less than the bad debt provisions of the previous year shall be included in
taxable income of the current year.
Bad debt losses mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be subject to approval after examination and verification by the local
tax authorities.
Article 26
“Bad debt losses” mentioned in Article 25 , paragraph 2 of these Rules refers to the following accounts receivable:
(1)
due to the bankruptcy of the debtor, collection is still not possible after the use of the bankruptcy assets for settlement;
(2)
due to the death of the debtor, collection is still not possible after the use of the estate for repayment;
(3)
due to the failure of the debtor to fulfil repayment obligations for over two years, collection is still not possible.
Article 27
Accounts receivable already itemized as bad debt losses which are recovered in full or in part by an enterprise in a subsequent year
shall be included in taxable income of the year of recovery.
Article 28
Foreign enterprises with establishments or places in China may, except as otherwise provided by the State, deduct as expenses foreign
income tax, which has been paid on profits (dividends), interest, rents, royalties and other income received from outside China and
actually connected with such establishments or places.
Article 29
“Net assets or remaining property” mentioned in Article 18 of the Tax Law means the amount of all assets or property following deduction
of various liabilities and losses upon the liquidation of an enterprise.
Chapter III Tax Treatment for Assets
Article 30
“Fixed assets of enterprises” means houses, buildings and structures, machinery, mechanical apparatus, means of transport and other
such equipment, appliances and tools related to production and business operations with a useful life of one year or more. Items
not in the nature of major equipment which are used for production or business operations and which have a unit value of 2000 yuan
(RMB) or less, or with a useful life of two years or less may be itemized as expenses on the basis of actual consumption.
Article 31
The valuation of fixed assets shall be based on original cost.
The original cost of purchased fixed assets shall be the purchase price plus transportation expenses, installation expenses and other
related expenses incurred prior to the use of the assets.
The original cost of fixed assets manufactured or constructed by an enterprise itself shall be the actual expenses incurred in their
manufacture or construction.
The original cost of fixed assets treated as investments shall, giving consideration to the degree of wear and tear of the fixed assets,
be such reasonable price as is specified in the contract, or a price appraised with reference to the relevant market price plus the
relevant expenses incurred prior to the use thereof.
Article 32
Depreciation of fixed assets of an enterprise shall be computed commencing with the month following the month in which they are first
put into use. The computation of depreciation shall cease in the month following the month in which the fixed assets cease to be
used.
All investments made during the development stage by enterprises engaged in the exploitation of oil resources shall, taking the oil
(gas) field as a unit, be aggregated and treated as capital expenditures; the computation of depreciation shall begin in the month
following the month in which the oil (gas) field commences commercial production.
Article 33
In respect of the computation of depreciation of fixed assets, the salvage value shall first be estimated and deducted from the original
cost of the assets. The salvage value shall not be less than 10% of the original value; any request for retaining a lower salvage
value or not salvage value must be approved by the local tax authorities.
Article 34
Depreciation of fixed assets shall be computed using the straight-line method. Where it is necessary to use any other method of depreciation,
an application may be filed by an enterprise which, following examination and verification by the local tax authorities, shall be
reported level-by-level to the State Tax Bureau for approval.
Article 35
The computation of the minimum useful life in respect of the depreciation of fixed assets is as follows:
(1)
for houses and buildings: 20 years;
(2)
for railway rolling stock, ships, machinery, mechanical apparatus, and other production equipment: 10 years;
(3)
for electronic equipment and means of transport other than railway rolling stock and ships, as well as as such fixtures, tools and
furnishings related to production and business operations: 5 years.
Article 36
Depreciation of fixed assets in the nature of investments during the development stage and subsequent stages of an enterprise engaged
in the exploitation of oil resources may be computed on a consolidated basis without retaining salvage value; the period of depreciation
shall not be less than six years.
Article 37
“Houses and buildings” mentioned in Article 35 , subparagraph (1) of these Rules means houses, buildings and attached structures used
for production and business operations, and living quarters and welfare facilities for employees, the scope of which is as follows:
— houses, including factory buildings, business premises, office buildings, warehouses, residential buildings, canteens, and other
such buildings;
— buildings, including towers, ponds, troughs, wells, racks, sheds (not including temporary, simply constructed structures such as
work sheds and vehicle sheds), fields, roads, bridges, platforms, piers, docks, culverts, gas stations as well as pipes, smokestacks,
and enclosing walls that are detached from buildings, machinery and equipment;
Facilities attached to buildings and structures mean auxiliary facilities that are inseparable from buildings and structures and for
which no separate value is computed, including, for example, building and structure ventilation and drainage systems, oil pipelines,
communication and power lines, elevators and sanitation equipment.
Article 38
The scope of railway rolling stock, ships, machinery, mechanical apparatus and other production equipment mentioned in Article 35
, subparagraph (2) of these Rules is as follows:
— “railway rolling stock” includes various types of locomotives, passenger coaches, freight cars, as well as auxiliary facilities
on rolling stock for which no separate value is computed;
— “ships” includes various types of motor ships as well as auxiliary facilities on ships for which no separate value is computed;
— “machinery, mechanical apparatus and other production equipment” includes various types of machinery, mechanical apparatus, machinery
units, production lines, as well as auxiliary equipment such as various types of power, transport and conduction equipment.
Article 39
The scope of electronic equipment, means of transport other than railway rolling stock and ships mentioned in Article 35 , subparagraph
(3) of these Rules is as follows:
— “electronic equipment” means equipment comprising mainly integrated circuits, transistors, electron tubes and other electronic
components whose primary functions are to bring into use the application of electronic technology (including software), including
computers as well as computer controlled robots, and digital control or program control systems.
— “means of transport other than railway rolling stock and ships” includes airplanes, automobiles, trams, tractors, motor bikes (boats),
motorized sailboats, sailboats, and other means of transport.
Article 40
Where, for special reasons, it is necessary to shorten the useful life of fixed assets, an application may be submitted by an enterprise
to the local tax authorities which following examination and verification shall be reported level-by-level to the State Tax Bureau
for approval.
Fixed assets which for special reasons as mentioned in the preceding paragraph require the useful life to be shortened include:
(1)
machinery and equipment subject to strong corrosion by acid or alkali and factory buildings and structures subject to constant shaking
and vibration;
(2)
machinery and equipment operated continually year-round for the purpose of raising the utilization rate or increasing the intensity
of use;
(3)
fixed assets of a Chinese-foreign contractual joint venture having a period of cooperation shorter than the useful life specified
in Article 35 of these Rules and which will be left with the Chinese party upon termination of the cooperation.
Article 41
Enterprises which acquire used fixed assets having a remaining useful life shorter than the useful life specified in Article 35 of
these Rules may, following agreement by the local tax authorities after examination and verification of certifying documents so submitted,
compute depreciation according to the remaining useful life.
Article 42
Where expenditures incur during the course of the use of fixed assets due to increased value caused by expansion, replacement, reconstruction
and technical innovation of fixed assets, the original value of fixed assets shall be increased; where the period of use of fixed
assets can be extended, the useful life shall be appropriately extended and the computation of depreciation adjusted accordingly.
Article 43
No further depreciation shall be allowed in respect of fixed assets which can be continued to be used after having been fully depreciated.
Article 44
The balance of proceeds from the transfer or disposal of fixed assets by an enterprise shall, after deduction of the undepreciated
amount or the salvage value and handling fees, be entered into the profit and loss account for the current year.
Article 45
Depreciation of fixed assets received as gifts by enterprises may be computed on the basis of reasonable valuation.
Article 46
Patents, proprietary technology, trademarks, copyrights, land-use rights and other intangible assets of enterprises shall be appraised
on the basis of the original value.
For alienated intangible assets, the original value shall be the actual amount paid based on a reasonable price.
For self-developed intangible assets, the original value shall be the actual amount of expenditure incurred in the course of development.
For intangible assets used as investment, the original value shall be such reasonable price as is stipulated in the agreement or contract.
Article 47
The amortization of intangible assets shall be computed using the straight-line method.
Intangible assets transferred or assigned or used as investments, where the useful life is stipulated in the agreement or contract,
may be amortized over the period of that useful life; the amortization period in respect of intangible assets for which no useful
life has been stipulated or which have been developed internally shall not be less than ten years.
Article 48
Reasonable exploration expenses incurred by enterprises engaged in the exploitation of petroleum resources may be amortized against
income from oil (gas) fields that have already commenced commercial production. The amortization period shall not be less than one
year.
Where operation of a contract field owned by a foreign oil company is terminated due to failure to find commercially viable oil (gas),
and where ownership of the contract for the exploitation of petroleum (gas) resources is not continued and management organizations
or offices for carrying on operations for the exploitation of petroleum (gas) resources are no longer maintained in China, reasonable
exploration expenses already incurred in respect of the terminated contract field shall, upon examination and confirmation and the
issuance of certification by the tax authorities, be permitted to be amortized against production income of a newly owned contract
field when the new contract for cooperative exploitation of oil (gas) resources is signed within ten years from the date of the termination
of the old contract.
Article 49
Expenses incurred by enterprises during the period of organization shall be amortized beginning with the month following the month
in which production and business operations commence; the period of amortization shall not be less than five years.
The period of organization mentioned in the preceding paragraph means the period from the date of approval of the organization of
the enterprise to the date of commencement of production and business operations (including trial production and trial business operations).
Article 50
Inventories of merchandise, finished products, goods in process, semi-finished products, raw materials, and other such materials of
enterprises shall be valued at cost.
Article 51
Enterprises may choose one of the following such methods: first-in, first-out; moving average; weighted average or last-in, first-out
as the method of computing actual costs in respect of the delivery or receipt and use of goods in stock.
Once a method of valuation has been adopted for use, no change shall be made thereto. Where a change in the method of valuation is
indeed necessary, the matter shall be reported to the local tax authorities for approval prior to the commencement of the next tax
year.
Chapter IV Business Dealings Between Associated Ente
Law of The People’s Republic of China on Water and Soil Conservation
ORDER OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA NO. 49
The Law of the People’s Republic of China on Water and Soil Conservation, adopted at the 20th Meeting of the Standing Committee of
the Seventh National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on June 29, 1991, is hereby promulgated and shall enter
into force as of June 29, 1991.
Yang Shangkun
President of the People’s Republic of China
June 29,1991
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 This Law is formulated for the purpose of the prevention and control of soil erosion, the protection and rational utilization of
water and soil resources, the mitigation of disasters of flood, drought and sandstorm, the improvement of ecological environment
and the development of production.
Article 2 As used in this Law, the term “water and soil conservation” means preventive and rehabilitative measures taken against soil erosion
which is caused by natural factors or human activities.
Article 3 All units and individuals shall have the obligation to protect water and soil resources, prevent and control soil erosion, and also
have the right to report against and unit or individual that damages water and soil resources and causes soil erosion.
Article 4 The state shall, in relation to the work of water and soil conservation, implement the policy of prevention first, overall planning,
comprehensive prevention and control, adoption of measures suited to local conditions, strengthening management and stress on beneficial
results.
Article 5 The state council and the local people’s government at various levels shall regard the work of water and soil conservation as an
important duty, and adopt measures to ensure the prevention and control of soil erosion.
Article 6 The department of water administration under the State Council shall be in charge of the work of water and soil conservation throughout
the county. The departments of water administration under the local people’ governments at or above the county level shall be in
charge of the work of water and soil conservation in areas under their respective jurisdiction.
Article 7 The department of water administration under the State Council and those under the local people’s governments at or above the county
level shall, on the basis of investigation and assessment of water and soil resources, draw up water and soil conservation plans
in conjunction with other departments concerned. Such water and soil conservation plans shall be subject to the approval by the people’
government at the corresponding levels. Any water and soil conservation plan approved by the local people’s government at or above
the county level shall be submitted to the department of water administration under the people’s government at the next higher level
for the record. Any modification to be made to an approved water and soil conservation plan shall be re-submitted for approval to
the original approving department.
The people’s governments at or above the county level shall incorporate the tasks specified in the water and soil conservation plans
into their respective plans for national economic and social development, allocate special funds therefor and organize the implementation
thereof.
The people’s government at or above the county level shall, in line with the actual conditions of soil erosion, designate key areas
on which preventive and rehabilitative efforts against soil erosion shall be focused.
Article 8 Units and individuals engaged in production and construction activities which may cause soil erosion must adopt measures, and construction
activities which may cause soil erosion must adopt measures to protect the water and soil resources, and shall be responsible to
take rehabilitative measures against the soil erosion resulted from their production and construction activities.
Article 9 The people’s government at various levels shall intensify the publicity of and education in water and soil conservation, and popularize
scientific knowledge concerning water and soil conservation.
Article 10 The state shall encourage the research in and raise the level of science and technology of water and soil conservation, popularize
the advanced technological personnel in the field of water and soil conservation.
Article 11 Units and individuals that have made outstanding achievements in the prevention and control of soil erosion shall be awarded by the
people’s government.
Chapter II Prevention
Article 12 The people’s governments at various levels shall organize every citizen to engage in afforestation and encourage the p1anting of
grass, thereby enlarging forest-covered areas and increasing vegetation.
Article 13 The local people’s governments at various levels shall, in light of respective actual conditions, organize agricultural collective
economic organizations as well as state-owned agricultural, forest, and livestock farms to plant firewood forests, forage and green
manure crops, and to conduct in a planned way the closing of hillsides for facilitating afforestation and growing grass and the rotation
of closing and grazing periods, so as to check winds, fix drifting sand and preserve vegetation. Destroying forest or burning vegetation
for land reclamation and stripping vegetation and digging up tree stumps on steep hill slopes or in arid regions shall be prohibited.
Article 14 Article 14 Reclamation of hillsides with a slope of over 25 degrees for cultivation of crops shall be prohibited.
The people’s governments of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government may, in line with
the actual conditions of the areas under their respective jurisdiction, prescribe the reclamation-forbidden slope of below 25 degrees.
The specific area of the reclamation-forbidden slope shal1 be determined and announced by the local people’s government at the county
leve1.
Anyone who has conducted reclamation for cultivation of crops on the reclamation-forbidden slopes before the entry into force of this
Law shall, on the basis of capital farming construction and in the light of the actua1 conditions, gradually stop the cultivation
and, instead, plant trees, grow grass and restore the vegetation, or build terraced fields thereon.
Article 15 Anyone who reclaims waste hillsides with a slope of above 5 degrees but under the prescribed reclamation — forbidden degrees must
obtain prior approval from the department of water administration under the people’s government at the county level1 anyone who intends
to reclaim waste hill slopes owned by the state may apply to the people’s government at or above the county level for going through
the procedures for land reclamation on1y after obtaining approval from the department of water administration under the people’s
government at the county level.
Article 16 Felling of forest trees must be carried out in a rational manner and in line with the local conditions, and clear felling shall be
strictly controlled. Preventive measures against soil erosion f shall be adopted in the felling areas and on skid trai1s, and reforestation
shall be accomplished in good time after the felling. With respect to protective forests such as those for water supply conservation,
water and soil conservation, windbreak and sand — fixation, felling shall only be permitted for tending and regeneration of forests.
For any felling in a forest area, water and soil conservation measures, for the fel1ing area, worked out in accordance with the provisions
of the preceding paragraph, must be inc1uded in the felling p1an thereof.
After the felling plan is approved by the department of forestry administration, the water and soil conservation measures for the
fel1ing area shall be implemented under the supervision of the departments of water administration and forestry administration.
Article 17 Water and soil conservation measures must be adopted to prevent soil erosion when preparations for afforestation, tending of young
growth, and cultivation of commodity trees such as oil-tea camellia and tung tree are done on hillsides with a slope of above 5 degrees.
Article 18 In the construction of a rai1way, highway or water project, the disturbance of vegetation shall be minimized; waste sand, rocks and
earth thus created must be disposed of in an area specially designated for the purpose, and shall not be dumped out into any river,
lake, reservoir or any ditch or canal other than the specially designated area; slope protection must be built or other land management
measures adopted on hill slopes within the frontage of the railway and highway; after the project is completed, trees must be planted
and grass grown on the earth-fetching area, excavated land surface and the exposed land surface for the disposition of waste sand,
rock and earth, in order to prevent soil erosion.
In the establishment of a mining or electrical power enterprise or any other large or medium-sized industrial enterprise the abandoned
stripped topsoil, waste rock, tailings and residues must be disposed of in a specially designated area, and shall not be dumped out
into any river, lake, reservoir or any ditch or canal other than the specially designated area. If the vegetation is damaged on account
of the mining or construction, measures must be taken to rehabilitate the topsoil and vegetation, thereby preventing soil erosion.
Article 19 When the construction of a railway, highway or a water project is carried out, a mining or electrical power enterprise or any other
large or medium-sized industria1; enterprise is established in a mountainous, hilly or sandstorm area, the environmental impact statement
for the project must include a water and soil conservation programme approved by the department of water administration. The water
and soil conservation programme shall be drawn up in accordance with the provisions of Article 18 of this Law.
Where a township col1ective mining enterprise is to be set up or an individua1 is to apply for mining, in accordance with the provisions
of the Law on Mineral Resources, in a mountainous, hilly or sandstorm area, a water and soil conservation programme approved by the
department of water administration under the people’s government at or above the county level must be submitted before the app1ication
for going through the approving procedures for mining operation is made.
Water and soil conservation facilities in a construction project must be designed, constructed and put into operation simultaneously
with the principal part of the project. When a construction project is completed and checked for acceptance, the water and soi1 conservation
facilities shal1 be checked for acceptance at the same time, with personnel from the department of water administration participating.
Article 20 The local people’s governments at various levels shall take measures to strengthen the control over such production activities as
mining, earth-fetching, sand-digging and quarrying, so as to prevent soil erosion.
Earth-fetching, sand-digging and quarrying shall be prohibited in areas in danger of land-collapsing or land-sliding or where mudrock
flow is liable to occur. The scope of such areas shall be determined and announced by the local peop1e’s governments at or above
the county level.
Chapter III Rehabilitation
Article 21 The people’s governments at or above the county level shall, in accordance with the water and soil conservation plans, organize competent
administrative departments and units concerned to engage in a planned way in the rehabilitation of soil erosion.
Article 22 In a water-eroded region, by taking a small river basin comprising the natural ravines and flanking hill slopes as a unit, a comprehensive
system for the prevention and control of soil erosion shall be set up on the basis of overall planning and comprehensive rehabilitation.
In a wind-eroded region, such measures as exploitation of water resources, water diversion for sand removal, planting of trees and
growing of grass, installation of artificial sand-break and forest network shall be adopted to build a protective system for windbreak
and sand-fixation, thereby controlling hazards of sand storms.
Article 23 The state shall encourage the agricultural collective economic organizations and farmers in soil-eroded regions to carry out rehabilitation
of soil erosion, and shall also practice a policy of giving support as to fund, energy, grain, taxation, etc.; the specific measures
thereof shall be prescribed by the State Council.
Article 24 The local people’s governments at various levels sha1l organize agricultura1 collective economic organizations and farmers to manage
in a planned way the cultivated land with a slope of above 5 degrees but under the reclamation-forbidden degrees, by taking in line
with different conditions such water and soil conservation measures as regulating drainage systems, building terraced fields, and
practicing a method of cultivation conducive to water and soi1 conservation.
Article 25 In soil-eroded regions, any individual who contracts for the use of land owned by the collective shall include the responsibility
of rehabilitating soil erosion in the contract.
Article 26 The rehabilitation of soil erosion on barren hills, waste valleys, barren hillocks and desolated beaches may be contracted to agricultural
collective economic organizations, individual farmers or lease-holding household groups.
Where the rehabilitation of soil erosion on barren hills, waste valleys, barren hillocks or desolated beaches are contracted out,
contracts for the rehabilitation of soil erosion shall be concluded according to the principle of the benefits derived there from
to be enjoyed by the contractors for the rehabilitation.
The trees planted on account of the contracted rehabilitation and the fruits yielded therefrom shall belong to the contractors; and
the land expanded as a result of the contracted rehabilitation shal1 be used by the contractors.
The state shall protect the lawful rights and interests of the parties to a contract for rehabilitation. Within the term of the contracted
rehabilitation, if a contractor dies, his or her successor(s) may, in accordance with the agreements stipulated in the contract,
continue to undertake the contract.
Article 27 Any enterprise or institution must, in the course of construction or production, adopt water and soil conservation measures, and
shall be responsible for the rehabilitation of the soil eroded. If an enterprise or institution is unable to carry out the rehabilitation,
the department of water administration sha1l undertake the task, and the cost thus entailed shall be borne by the enterprise or institution
that has caused the soil erosion.
The expenses for the prevention and control of soil erosion arising in the course of construction shall be allocated from the capital
construction investment; the expenses for the prevention and control of soil erosion arising in the course of production shall be
allocated from the production cost.
Article 28 The people’s governments at or above the county level shall organize departments concerned to inspect for acceptance the water and
soil conservation facilities bui1t and the trees and grass planted in soil-eroded regions.
The management and protection of water and soil conservation facilities, experimental sites, trees and grass planted and other rehabilitation
achievements shall be strengthened.
Chapter IV Supervision
Article 29 The department of water administration under the State Council shall establish a monitoring network for water and soil conservation,
so as to conduct monitoring and prediction of the nation-wide soil erosion developments and publicly announce the results thereof.
Article 30 Personnel in charge of supervision over water and soil conservation in the departments of water administration under the people’s
governments at or above the county level shall have the right to carry out on-the-spot inspection on the situations of soil erosion
and the prevention and control thereof in areas under their respective jurisdiction. Units and individuals that are being inspected
must truth-fu1ly report the situations and provide necessary working conditions for the inspection.
Article 31 Any dispute arising among regions over the prevention and control of soil erosion sha1l be solved through consultation; if no settlement
is reached through consultation, the case shall be handled by the people’s government at the next higher level.
Chapter V Legal Responsibility
Article 32 In the case of any violation of the provisions in Article l4 of this Law by cultivating crops on reclamation-forbidden hill slopes,
the department of water administration under the people’s government at the county level shall order the cessation of the reclamation
and the adoption of remedial measures, and may also impose a fine.
Article 33 Where any enterprise, institution, or agricultural collective economic organization, without approva1 of the department of water
administration under the people’s government at the county leve1, reclaims waste hillsides with a slope of above 5 degrees but under
the reclamation-forbidden degrees, the department of water administration under the people’s government at the county level shal1order
the cessation of the reclamation and the adoption of remedial measures, and may also impose a fine.
Article 34 In the case of earth-fetching, sand-digging or quarrying in areas in danger of land-collapsing or land-sliding or where mud-rock
flow is liable to occur, as designated by the local people’s government at or above the county level, the department of water administration
under the people’s government at or above the county level shall order the cessation of the above law-breaking acts and the adoption
of remedial measures, and shall also impose a fine.
Article 35 In the case of tree-felling in forest areas without adopting water and soil conservation measures, thus causing serious soil erosion,
the department of water administration shall report thereon to the people’s government at or above the county level for a decision
to order a rectification within a fixed period of time and the adoption of remedial measures, and shall also impose a fine.
Article 36 Any enterprise or institution that causes soil erosion in the course of construction or production and fails to carry out rehabilitation
may, in light of the harmful consequences thus entailed, be punishable with a fine or be instructed to suspend its business for rehabilitation;
the responsible persons concerned sha1l be subjected to administrative sanctions by the unit where they work or by the competent
departments at higher levels.
The imposition of a fine shall be subject to a decision by the people’s government at the county level on a report submitted by the
department of water administration under the people’s government at the county level. The decision on ordering the suspension of
business for rehabi1itation shal1 be made by the people’s government at the municipal or county level; the suspension of business
for rehabilitation for an enterprise or institution directly under the Central Government or a people’s government at the provincial
level shall be reported to the State Council or the provincial people’s government for approval.
Any individual who engages in mining causes soil erosion and fails to carry out rehabilitation shall be punished in accordance with
the provisions of the preceding two paragraphs.
Article 37 Whoever hinders, by use of violence or threat, the performance of duty according to Law by personnel in charge of supervision over
water and soil conservation shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law; those who refuse to accept or hinders
the performance of duty by personnel in charge of supervision over water and soil conservation, but without resorting to violence
or use of threat, shall be punished by the public security organ in accordance with the Regulations on Administrative Penalties for
Public Security.
Article 38 If any party is not satisfied with the decision on administrative sanctions, it may, within l5 days after the receipt of the notice
of sanctions, apply for reconsideration to the organ at the next higher level over the one that has made the decision. The party
may also directly bring a suit in a people’s court withinl5 days after the receipt of the said notice.
The reconsideration organ shall, within 60 days after the receipt of the application for reconsideration, make a reconsideration decision.
If the party concerned is not satisfied with the reconsideration decision, it may, within 15 days after the receipt of the reconsideration
decision, bring a suit in a people’s court. If the reconsideration organ fails to make a reconsideration decision within the time
limit, the party may, within 15 days after the expiration of the term for reconsideration, bring a suit in a people’s court.
If a party neither applies for reconsideration, nor brings a suit in a people’s court within the time limit, nor complies with the
decision on sanctions, the organ that has made the decision may apply to a people’s court for compulsory execution.
Article 39 Any individual or unit that causes damage from soil erosion shall bear the responsibility of removing the damage, and shall compensate
the units and individuals that have directly suffered the damage.
Any dispute over the liability or amount of compensation may, upon the request by a party, be dealt with by the department of water
administration; if the party is not satisfied with the decision thus made, it may bring a suit in a people’s court. The party may
also directly bring a suit in a people’s court.
In case of irresistible natural disasters, if damage from soil erosion cannot be avoided despite of taking reasonable measures promptly,
the individual or unit concerned shall be exempted from responsibility.
Article 40 In case a person in charge of supervision over water and soil conservation derelicts his or her duty or abuses his or her power and
thus brings losses to the public property or the interests of the state and the people, administrative sanctions shall be enforced
by the unit to which the offender belongs or by the competent department at a higher level; if the offence constitutes a crime, the
offender shall be investigated for criminal responsibility according to law.
Chapter VI Supplementary Provisions
Article 41 The State Council shall formulate the implementing regulations in accordance with this Law. The standing committees of the people’s
congresses of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government may, in accordance with
this Law and in the light of the respective actual conditions, formulate measures of implementation.
Article 42 This Law shall enter into force as of the date of promulgation. The Regulations on the Work of Water and Soil Conservation promulgated
by the State Council on June 30, 1982 shall be annulled on the same date.
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Source:China Internet Information Center
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EDITOR:Victor
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