Law of the People's
Republic of China
Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise Law
(Adopted at the Fourth Session of the Sixth National People's congress,
promulgated by Order No. 39 of the President of the People's Republic of China and
effective as of April 12. 1986)
Article 1
- With a view to expanding economic cooperation and technical exchange with foreign
countries and promoting the development of China's national economy, the People's Republic
of China permits foreign enterprises, other foreign economic organizations and individuals
(hereinafter collectively referred to as "foreign investors") to set up
enterprises with foreign capital in China and protects the lawful rights and interests of
such enterprises.
Article 2
- Article 2 As mentioned in this Law, 'enterprises with foreign capital' refers to those
enterprises established in China by foreign investors, exclusively with their own capital,
in accordance with relevant Chinese laws. The term does not include branches set up in
China by foreign enterprises and other foreign economic organizations.
Article 3
- Enterprises with foreign capital shall be established in such a manner as to help the
development of China's national economy; they shall use advanced technology and equipment
or market all or most of their products outside China. Provisions shall be made by the
State Council regarding the lines of business which the state forbids enterprises with
foreign capital to engage in or on which it places certain restrictions.
Article 4
- The investments of a foreign investor in China, the profits it earns and its other
lawful rights and interests are protected by Chinese law. Enterprises with foreign capital
must abide by Chinese laws and regulations and must not engage in any activities
detrimental to China's public interest.
Article 5
- The state shall not nationalize or requisition any enterprise with foreign capital.
Under special circumstances, when public interest requires, enterprises with foreign
capital may be requisitioned by legal procedures and appropriate compensation shall be
made.
Article 6
- The application to establish an enterprise with foreign capital shall be submitted for
examination and approval to the department under the State Council which is in charge of
foreign economic relation and trade, or to another agency authorized by the State council.
The authorities in charge of examination and approval shall, within 90 days from the date
they receive such application, decide whether or not to grant approval.
Article 7
- After an application for the establishment of an enterprise with foreign capital has
been approval, the foreign investor shall, within 30 days from the date of receiving a
certificate of approval, apply to the industry and commerce administration authorities for
registration and obtain a business license. The date of issue of the business license
shall be the date of the establishment of the enterprise.
Article 8
- An enterprise with foreign capital which meets the conditions for being considered a
legal person under Chinese law shall acquire the status of a Chinese legal person, in
accordance with the law.
Article 9
- An enterprise with foreign capital shall make investments in China within the period
approved by the authorities in charge of examination and approval. If it fails to do so,
the industry and commerce administration authorities may cancel its business license. The
industry and commerce administration authorities shall inspect and supervise the
investment situation of an enterprise with foreign capital.
Article 10
- In the event of a separation, merger or other major change, an enterprise with foreign
capital shall report to and seek approval from the authorities in charge of examination
and approval, and register the change with the industry and commerce administration
authorities.
Article 11
- The production and operation plans of enterprises with foreign capital shall be reported
to the competent authorities for the record. Enterprise with foreign capital shall conduct
their operations and management in accordance with the approved articles of association,
and shall be free from any interference.
Article 12
- When employing Chinese workers and staff, an enterprise with foreign capital shall
conclude contracts with them according to law, in which matters concerning employment,
dismissal, remuneration, welfare benefits, labor protection and labor insurance shall be
clearly prescribed.
Article 13
- Workers and staff of enterprises with foreign capital may organize trade unions in
accordance with the law, in order to conduct trade union activities and protect their
lawful rights and interests. The enterprises shall provide the necessary conditions for
the activities of the trade unions in their respective enterprises.
Article 14
- An enterprise with foreign capital must set up account books in China, conduct
independent accounting, submit the fiscal reports and statements as required and accept
supervision by the financial and tax authorities. If an enterprise with foreign capital
refuses to maintain account books in China, the financial and tax authorities may impose a
fine on it, and the industry and commerce administration authorities may order it to
suspend operation or may revoke its business license.
Article 15
- Within the scope of the operations approved, enterprises with foreign capital may
purchase, either in China or from the world market, raw and semi-processed materials,
fuels and other materials they need. When these materials are available from both sources
on similar terms, first priority should be given to purchases in China.
Article 16
- Enterprises with foreign capital shall apply for insurance companies in China for such
kinds of insurance coverage as are needed.
Article 17
- Enterprises with foreign capital shall pay taxes in accordance with relevant state
provisions for tax payment, and may enjoy preferential treatment for reduction of or
exemption from taxes. An enterprise that reinvests its profits in China after paying the
income tax, may in accordance with relevant state provisions, apply for refund of a part
of the income tax already paid on the reinvested amount.
Article 18
- Enterprises with foreign capital shall handle their foreign exchange transactions in
accordance with the state provisions for foreign exchange control. Enterprises with
foreign capital shall open an account with the Bank of China or with a bank designated by
the state agency exercising foreign exchange control. Enterprises with foreign capital
shall manage to balance their own foreign exchange receipts and payments. If, with the
approval of the competent authorities, the enterprises market their products in China and
consequently experience an imbalance in foreign exchange, the said authorities shall help
them correct the imbalance.
Article 19
- The foreign investor may remit abroad profits that are lawfully earned from an
enterprise with foreign capital, as well as other lawful earnings and any funds remaining
after the enterprise is liquidated. Wages, salaries and other legitimate, income earned by
foreign employees in an enterprise with foreign capital may be remitted abroad after the
payment of individual income tax in accordance with the law.
Article 20
- With respect to the period of operation of an enterprise with foreign capital, the
foreign investor shall report to and secure approval from the authorities in charge if
examination and approval. For an extension of the period of operation, an application
shall be submitted to the said authorities 180 days before the expiration of the period.
The authorities in charge of examination and approval shall,within 30 days from the date
such applications is received, decide whether or not to grant the extension.
Article 21
- When termination its operations, an enterprise with foreign capital shall promptly issue
a public notice and proceed with liquidation in accordance with legal procedure. Pending
the completion of liquidation, a foreign investor may not dispose of the assets of the
enterprise except for the purpose of liquidation.
Article 22
- At the termination of operations, the enterprise with foreign capital shall nullify its
registration with the industry and commerce administration authorities and hand in its
business license for cancellation.
Article 23
- The department under the State Council which is in charge of foreign economic relations
and trade shall, in accordance with this Law, formulate rules for its implementation,
which shall go into effect after being submitted to and approved by the State Council.
Article 24
- This Law shall go into effect on the day of its promulgation.
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