Decision of the Standing¹ Committee of the National people's Congress on Revising the Company Law of the people's Republic of China 全国人民代表大会常务委员会关于修改《中华人民共和国公司法》的决定　附：第二次修正本

（Adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National people's Congress on August 28， 2004）

时效性：已被修正　 颁布日期：20040828 　实施日期：20040828 　失效日期：20060101 　颁布单位：全国人大常委会

　　Order of the President of the people's Republic of China

　　No.20

　　The Decision of the Standing Committee of the National people's Congress on Amending³ the Company Law of the People's Republic of China， adopted at the 11th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress of the people's Republic of China on August 28， 2004， is hereby promulgated⁴ and it shall go into effect as of the data of its promulgation⁵.

　　Hu Jintao

　　President of the people's Republic of China

　　August 28， 2004

　　At its 11th Meeting， The Standing Committee of the Tenth National people's Congress decides to make the following amendments⁷ to the Company Law of the people's Republic of China：

　　The second paragraph of Article 131 is deleted.

　　This Decision shall go into effect as of the date of its promulgation.

　　The Company law of the people's Republic of China shall be promulgated anew after it is amended⁸ according to this Decision.

　　Company law of the people's of the people's Republic of China

　　（Adopted at the Fifth Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National people's Congress on December 29， 1993， amended for the first time at the 13th Meeting the Ninth National people's Congress on December 25， 1999 in accordance with the Decision on Revising the Company Law of the people's Republic of China， and amended for the second time at the 11th Meeting of the Tenth National people's Congress on August 28， 2004 in accordance with the Decision on Revising the Company Law of the people's Republic of China ）

　　Contents

　　Chapter ⅠGeneral Provisions

　　Chapter ⅡIncorporation and Organizational Structure of Limited Liability Companies

　　Section 1 Incorporation⁹

　　Section 2 Organizational Structure

　　Section 3 Wholly State-owned Companies

　　Chapter ⅢIncorporation and Organizational Structure of Joint¹⁰ Stock Limited Companies

　　Section 1 Incorporation

　　Section 2 Shareholders¹²' General Meetings

　　Section 3 Board of Directors， and the Manager

　　Section 4 Supervisory Board

　　Chapter ⅣIssue and Transfer of Shares of Joint Stock Limited Companies

　　Section 1 Issue of Shares

　　Section 2 Transfer of Shares

　　Section 3 Listed Companies

　　Chapter ⅤCompany Bonds

　　Chapter ⅥFinancial Affairs and Accounting¹⁴ of Companies

　　Chapter ⅦMerger¹⁵ and Division of Companies

　　Chapter ⅧBankruptcy， Dissolution and Liquidation¹⁷ of Companies

　　Chapter ⅨBranches of Foreign Companies

　　Chapter ⅩLegal Responsibility

　　Chapter ⅪSupplementary Provisions

　　Chapter Ⅰ

　　General Provisions

　　Article 1 This Law is formulated²⁰ in accordance with the Constitution of the people's Republic of China in order to meet the needs of establishing a modern enterprise system， to standardize²¹ the organization and activities of companies， to protect the legitimate²² rights and interests of companies， shareholders and creditors²³， to maintain socio-economic order and to promote the development of the socialist²⁴ market economy.

　　Article 2 The term “company” mentioned in this law refers to a limited liability company or a joint stock limited company incorporated within the territory of the people's Republic of China in accordance with this Law.

　　Article 3 A “limited liability company” or “joint stock limited company” is an enterprise legal person.

　　In the case of a limited liability company， shareholders shall assume liability towards the company to the extent of their respective capital contributions， and the company shall be liable for its debts to the extent of all its assets.

　　In the case of a joint stock limited company， its total capital shall be divided into equal shares， shareholders shall assume liability towards the company to the extent of their respective shareholdings， and the company shall be liable for its debts to the extent of all its assets.

　　Article 4 The shareholders of a company shall， in their capacity of capital contributors， enjoy such rights of owners as benefiting form assets of the company， making major decisions and selecting managerial personnel in accordance with the amount of their respective capital investment in the company.

　　A company shall enjoy the right to the entire property of the legal person formed by the investments of shareholders shall possess civil rights an bear the civil liabilities in accordance with law.

　　The ownership of State-owned assets in a company shall be vested in the State.

　　Article 5 A company shall， with all its legal person assets， operate independently and be responsible for its own profits and losses according to law.

　　A company shall， under the macro economic control of the State， organize its production and operation independently in accordance with market demand for the purpose of raising economic benefits and labour productivity and maintaining and increasing the value of its assets.

　　Article 6 An internal management mechanism²⁵ shall be implemented²⁷ within companies， which is characterized by clear definition of powers and responsibilities， scientific management and combination of encouragement and restraint.

　　Article 7 State-owned enterprises restructured to form companies must transform their operating mechanism， gradually produce and inventory²⁸ of their assets and verify their funds， delimit their property rights， clear off their claims and debts， evaluate their assets and establish a standard internal management mechanism in accordance with the conditions and requirements set by laws and administrative²⁹ regulations.

　　Article Incorporation of limited liability companies or joint stock limited companies must meet the conditions stipulated³⁰ by this law. Companies meeting the conditions set by this Law shall be registered as limited liability companies or joint stock limited companies； while companies failing to meet the conditions set by this Law shall be not be registered as limited liability companies or joint stock limited companies.

　　Where laws or administrative regulations provide that incorporation of companies must be subject to examination and approval， the procedures of examination and approval shall be completed according to law prior to the registration³¹ of such companies.

　　Article 9 A limited liability company established according to this Law must clearly indicate the words “limited liability company” in its name.

　　A joint stock limited company established according to this Law must clearly indicate the words “limited company” in its name.

　　Article 10 A company's domicile shall be the place where its main administrative organization is located.

　　Article 11 Articles of association must be formulated in accordance with this Law when a company is incorporated. A company's articles of association shall have binding³² force on the company， its shareholders， directors， supervisors³³ and managers.

　　A company's scope of business shall be defined in its articles of association and registered in accordance with law. Items within the company's scope of business“ that are subject to restrictions³⁴ under laws， administrative regulations shall be approved in accordance with law.

　　Companies shall engage in business activities within their registered scope of business. A company may change its scope of business by amending its articles of association in accordance with statutory procedures and making such amendments registered with the company registration authority.

　　Article 12 A company may invest in other limited liability companies or joint stock limited companies and shall assume liability towards the company so invested in to the extent of such capital contributions.

　　In case a company， other than an investment company or a holding company as specified³⁵ by the State Council， invests in other limited liability companies or joint stock limited companies， the aggregated³⁶ amount of such investments shall not exceed fifty percent of its net assets； after the initial investment， the increase therein resulting from capitalization of the profit derived³⁷ from the company invested in shall not be included.

　　Article 13 A company may establish branches， which shall not possess the status of enterprise legal persons and whose civil liabilities shall be borne by the company.

　　A company may establish subsidiaries， which shall possess the status of enterprise legal persons， and shall independently bear civil liabilities accordance to law.

　　Article 14 A company must， when engaging in business activities， abide³⁸ by laws， observe professional ethics³⁹， strengthen the construction of socialist culture and ideology⁴⁰ accept supervisions of the government and the public.

　　The legitimate rights and interests of companies shall be protected by law and shall be inviolable.

　　Article 15 Companies must protect the lawful⁴¹ rights and interests of their staff and workers， and strengthen labour protection so as to achieve safety in production.

　　Companies shall apply various forms to strengthen professional education and on-the-job training of their staff workers so as to improve their quality.

　　Article 16 Company's staff and workers shall， in accordance with law， organize a trade union to carry out the trade union activities and protect and lawful rights and interests of the staff and workers. The company shall provide its trade union with conditions necessary for carrying out its activities.

　　Wholly State-owned companies and limited liability companies invested in and established by two or more State-owned enterprises or by two or more other State-owned investment entities⁴² shall， through staff and workers' congresses or other forms， practise democratic management in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and relevant laws.

　　Article 17 The grass-root organizations of the Communist Party of China in companies shall carry out their activities in accordance with the Constitution of the Communist Party of China.

　　Article 18 This Law shall be applicable to limited liability companies with foreign investment. Where laws concerning Chinese-foreign equity⁴³ joint ventures， Chinese- foreign contractual joint ventures and foreign- funded enterprises provides otherwise， such provisions shall prevail.

　　Chapter Ⅱ

　　Incorporation and Organizational Structure of Limited Liability Companies

　　Section 1

　　Incorporation

　　Article 19 The following conditions must be fulfilled for the incorporation of a limited liability company：

　　（1）the number for shareholders conforms to the statutory number；

　　（2）the capital contributions of the shareholders reach the statutory minimum amount of capital；

　　（3）the shareholders have jointly⁴⁴ formulated the articles of association of the company；

　　（4）the company has a name and an organizational structure established in compliance⁴⁵ with the requirements for a limited liability company； and

　　（5）there are fixed⁴⁶ premises⁴⁷ and necessary conditions for production and operation.

　　Article 20 A limited liability company shall be jointly invested in and incorporated by not less than two and not more than fifty shareholders.

　　State-authorized⁴⁹ investment institutions or departments authorized by the State may independently invest in and establish wholly State-owned limited liability companies.

　　Article 21 If State-owned enterprises established prior to the implementation⁵⁰ of this law comply with the conditions stipulated in this Law for the incorporation of limited liability companies， they may， in the case of enterprises with a single investing entity⁵¹， be restructured as wholly State-owned limited liability companies in accordance with this law， or in the case of enterprises with multiple investing entities， be restructured as limited liability companies as specified in the first paragraph of the preceding Article.

　　The implementation procedures and specific measures for restructuring State-owned enterprises as companies shall be formulated separately by the State Council

　　Article 22 The articles of association of limited liability companies shall specify⁵² the following particulars：

　　（1）the name and domicile of the company；

　　（2）the scope of business of the company；

　　（3）the registered capital of the company；

　　（4）the names or titles of the shareholders；

　　（5）the rights and obligations of the shareholders；

　　（6）the method an amount of capital contributions by the shareholders；

　　（7）the conditions for transfer of capital contributions by shareholders；

　　（8）the organization of the company， its method of creation， functions an powers and the rules of procedure；

　　（9）the legal representative of the company；

　　（10）the reasons for dissolution of the company and method of liquidation； and

　　（11）other items which the shareholders deem necessary to the specified.

　　The shareholders shall and affix⁵³ their seals to the company's articles of association.

　　Article 23 The registered capital of a limited liability company shall be the amount of the paid-up capital contributions of all its shareholders as registered with the Company Registration Authority.

　　The registered capital of a limited liability company shall be no less than the following minima：

　　（1）RMB 500， 000 Yuan for a company engaged mainly in production and operation：

　　（2）500， 000 Yuan for a company engaged mainly in commodity wholesale⁵⁴；

　　（3）300， 000 Yuan for a company engaged mainly in commercial retailing⁵⁵； and

　　（4）100， 000 Yuan for a company engaged in science and technology development， consultancy or services.

　　Where the minimum registered capital of a limited liability company in specified trades needs to be higher than those stipulated in the preceding paragraph， it shall be stipulated by the laws and administrative regulations separately.

　　Article 24 A shareholder¹¹ may make its capital contributions to a company in currency or by contributing material objects， industrial property rights， non-patented technology and land-use rights at their appraised⁵⁶ value. The material objects， industrial property rights， non-patented technology or land-use rights to be contributed as capital must undergo an asset valuation and verification， and shall not be overvalued or undervalued. The appraisal⁵⁷ and valuation of land-use rights shall be handled in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations.

　　The investment in the form of industrial property rights and non-patented technology at their appraised value shall not exceed twenty percent of the registered capital of a limited liability company， except where special State regulations in respect of the application of high and new technological⁵⁸ achievement provide otherwise.

　　Article 25 Each shareholder shall make in the amount of the capital contribution subscribed⁶⁰ for under the articles of association of the company. Where a shareholder makes its capital contribution in currency， it shall deposit the full amount of such capital contribution in crurrency in the interim⁶¹ bank account opened by the limited liability company to the established. Where a shareholder makes its capital contribution in the form material objects， industrial property rights， non-patented technology or land-use rights， the transfer procedures for the property rights shall be handled in accordance with law.

　　Shareholders failing to make the capital contributions they subscribed fir in accordance with the preceding paragraph shall be liable for breach⁶² of contract towards shareholders who have make in full their capital contributions.

　　Article 26 After all shareholders have made their capital contributions in full， such contributions must be verified by a statutory capital verification institution which shall issue capital verification certificates.

　　Article 27 After the total capital contributions of the shareholders have been verified by a statutory capital verification institution， application shall be made to the company registration authority for registration of the incorporation or the company by a representative designated by all the shareholders or by an agent jointly entrusted⁶³ by them， who shall submit such documents as an application for registration， the articles for association and the capital verification certificate.

　　Where the examination and approval of the relevant authorities is required by the laws or administrative regulations， the approval documents shall be submitted on application for registration of incorporation.

　　The company registration authority shall grant registration and issue a business licence to a company that meets the requirements stipulated in this Law； the company registration authority shall not register a company failing to meet the requirements stipulated in this law.

　　The date of the issuance of the company business license⁶⁴ shall be the date of the incorporation of a limited liability company.

　　Article 28 Where， after the incorporation of a limited liability company， it is discovered that the actual value of the material objects， industrial property rights， non-patented technology or land-use rights contributed as capital is notably⁶⁵ less than the value stated in the articles of association， of shareholders that made such contributions shall made up the discrepancy⁶⁶. Those who are shareholders at the time of the incorporation of the company shall bear joint and several liability therefor.

　　Article 29 Where branches are established simultaneously⁶⁷ with the incorporation of a limited liability company， application for registration of the branches established shall be made to， and business licences shall be obtained from， the company registration authority.

　　Where a limited liability company establishes branches after its incorporation， the company's legal representative shall apply for the registration to， and obtain business licences from， the company registration authority.

　　Article 30 After a limited liability company has been incorporated， it shall issue capital contribution certificates to its shareholders.

　　A capital contribution certificate shall specify the following items：

　　（1）the name of the company：

　　（2）the registration date of the company；

　　（3）the registered capital of the company；

　　（4）the name of title of the shareholder， the amount and date of its capital contribution； and

　　（5）the serial⁶⁸ number of the capital contribution certificate and the date of its verification and issuance.

　　A capital contribution certificate shall bear the seal of the company on it.

　　Article 31 A limited liability company shall prepare a roster⁶⁹ of its shareholders with the following items therein：

　　（1）the names or titles and domiciles of the shareholders；

　　（2）the amounts of capital contributions of the shareholders； and

　　（3）the serial numbers of the capital contribution certificates.

　　Article 32 A shareholder shall have the right to look up the minutes of shareholders ' meetings and the financial and accounting reports of the company.

　　Article 33 Shareholders shall draw dividends⁷⁰ in proportion to their capital contributions. Where a company increases capital， the existing shareholders shall have priority in subscription⁷¹ for new shares.

　　Article 34 Once a company is registered， its shareholders may not withdraws their capital contributions.

　　Article 35 The shareholders of a company may assign among themselves all or part of their capital contributions.

　　Where a shareholder intends to assign its capital contribution to persons who are not shareholders， the consent of over half of all the shareholders must be secured. Those shareholders disapproving⁷² the assignment shall purchase the capital contribution to be assigned. If such shareholders to not make the purchase， they shall be deemed to have consented to the assignment.

　　Other shareholders shall， under identical terms， have the preemptive rights in purchasing the capital contribution to be assigned with the consent of the shareholders.

　　Article 36 After a shareholder has assigned its capital contribution according to law， the company shall record the name or title and domicile of the consignee⁷³ and the amount of the capital contribution assigned in the roster of the shareholders .

　　Section 2

　　Organizational Structure

　　Article 37 The shareholders' meeting of a limited liability company shall be composed of al the shareholders. The shareholders' meeting shall be the organ of power of the company and shall exercise its functions and powers in accordance with this Law.

　　Article 38 The shareholders' meeting shall exercise the following functions and powers：

　　（1）to decide on the business policy and investment plan of the company；

　　（2）to elect and recall members of the board of directors and to decide on matters concerning the remuneration of directors；

　　（3）to elect and recall supervisors appointed from among the shareholders' representatives， and to decide on matters concerning the remuneration of supervisors；

　　（4）to examine and approve reports of the board of directors；

　　（5）to examine and approve reports to the supervisory board or supervisors；

　　（6）to examine and approve the annual financial budget plan and final accounts plan of the company；

　　（7）to examine and approve plans for profit distribution of the company and plans for making up losses；

　　（8）t adopt resolutions on the increase or reduction of the registered capital of the company；

　　（9）to adopt resolutions on the issuance of company bonds；

　　（10）to adopt resolutions on the assignment of capital contribution by a shareholder to a person other than the shareholders；

　　（11）to adopt resolutions on matters such as the merger， division， transformation⁷⁴， dissolution and liquidation of the company； and

　　（12）to amend² the articles of association of the company.

　　Article 39 The rules of deliberation and voting procedures of the shareholders' meeting shall， except where provided for by this law， be stipulated by the articles of association of he company.

　　Resolutions of the shareholders' meeting on the increase or reduction of the registered capital， the division， merger， dissolution， or transformation of the company must be adopted by shareholders of the company representing two-thirds or more of the voting rights .

　　Article 40 A company may armed its articles of association. A resolution on the amendment⁶ to the article of association must be adopted by shareholders of the company representing two-thirds or more of the voting rights.

　　Article 41 Shareholders shall exercise their voting at the shareholders' meeting in proportion to their capital contributions.

　　Article 42 The first meeting of the shareholders of a company shall be convened⁷⁵ and presided over by the shareholder who has made the biggest capital contribution to the company and shall exercise its functions and powers in accordance with this Law.

　　Article 43 Shareholders' meetings shall be divided into regular meetings and interim meetings.

　　Regular shareholders' meetings shall be convened on time as stipulated by the articles of association of the company. Interim shareholders' meetings may be convened upon proposal made by shareholders representing one-fourth or more of the voting rights， or， by one-third or more of directors or supervisors.

　　Where a limited liability company has set up a board of directors， its shareholders' meetings shall be convened by the board of directors and presided over by the chairman of the board. Where special circumstances preclude⁷⁶ the chairman of the board from performing his function， the meeting shall be presided over by a vice-chairman or a director of the board designated by the chairman.

　　Article 44 All shareholders shall be notified fifteen days prior to the convening⁷⁷ of a shareholders' meeting.

　　Te shareholders' meeting shall keep minutes of their decisions on matters discussed at it； the shareholders present at the meeting shall sign the minutes.

　　Article 45 A limited liability company shall have a board of directors， which shall be composed for three to thirteen members.

　　The members of the board of directors of a limited liability company invested in and established by two or more State-owned enterprises， or by two or more other State-owned investment entities shall include representatives of the staff and workers of the company. Such representatives of the staff and workers shall be democratically elected by the staff and workers of the company.

　　A board of directors shall have a chairman and one or two vice-chairmen. The method for the creation of the chairman and vice-chairmen shall be stipulated in the articles of association of the company.

　　The chairman of the board of directors shall be the company's legal representative.

　　Article 46 The board of directors shall be responsible to the shareholders' meeting， and exercise the following functions and powers：

　　（1）to be responsible for convening shareholders' meetings and to report on its work to the shareholders' meetings；

　　（2）to implement²⁶ the resolutions of the shareholders' meetings；

　　（3）to decide on the business plans and investment plans of the company；

　　（4）to formulate¹⁹ the annual financial budget plan and final accounts plan of the company；

　　（5）to formulate plans for profit distribution and plans for making up losses of the company；

　　（6）to formulate plans for the increase or reduction of the registered capital of the company；

　　（7）to formulate plans for the merger， division， transformation and dissolution of the company；

　　（8）to decide on the establishment of the company's internal management；

　　（9）to appoint or dismiss the company's manager （general manager）（hereinafter referred to as “manager”）， and， upon recommendation of the manager， to appoint and dismiss the company's deputy manager（s） and persons in charge of the financial affairs of the company， and to decide on matters concerning their remuneration； and

　　（10）to formulate the basic management system of the company.

　　Article 47 The term of office of directors shall be stipulated by the articles of association of the company but may not exceed three years. A director may， if reelected upon expiration⁷⁸ of his term of office， serve consecutive⁷⁹ terms.

　　The shareholders' meeting of a company may not， without cause， dismiss a director of the board prior to the expiration of his term of office.

　　Article 48 Meetings of the board of directors shall be convened and presided over by the chairman of the board. Where special circumstances preclude the chairman from performing his function， the meeting shall be convened and presided over by a vice-chairman or a director of the board designated by the chairman. One-third or more of the members of the board of directors may propose the convening of a meeting of the board of directors.

　　Article 49 The rules of deliberation and voting procedures of the board of directors shall， expect where provided for by this Law， be stipulated by the articles of association of the company.

　　All directors shall be notified ten days prior to the convening of a board meeting.

　　The board meeting shall keep minutes of decisions on matters discussed at it； directors present at the meeting shall sing the minutes.

　　Article 50 A limited liability company shall have a manager， who shall be appointed or dismissed by the board of directors. The manager shall be responsible to the board of directors and shall exercise the following functions and powers：

　　（1）to be in charge of the production， operation and management of the company， and to organize the implementation of the resolutions of the board of directors；

　　（2）to organize the implementation of the annual business plans and investment plans of the company；

　　（3）to draw up plans on the establishment of the internal management of the company；

　　（4）to draw up the basic management system of the company；

　　（5）to formulate specific rules and regulations of the company；

　　（6）t recommend the appointment or dismissal of the deputy manager （s） and of persons in charge of the financial affairs of the company；

　　（7）to appoint or dismiss management personnel other than those to be appointed or dismissed by the board of directors； and

　　（8）other functions and powers granted by the articles of association of the company and the board of directors.

　　The manager shall attend meetings of the board of directors as a non-voting attendant.

　　Article 51 Where a limited liability company has a small number of shareholders and is comparatively small in scale， it may have an executive director instead of a board of directors. The executive director may concurrently⁸⁰ serve as the manager of the company.

　　The powers and functions of the executive director shall be stipulated by the articles of association of the company with reference to Article 46 of this Law.

　　Where a limited liability company does not have a board of directors， the executive director shall be legal representative of the company.

　　Article 52 A limited liability company with a relatively⁸¹ large-scale business shall have a supervisory board composed of no less than three members. The supervisory board shall elect a convener from among its members.

　　The supervisory board shall be composed of representatives of the shareholders and an appropriate of the staff and workers of the company， The exact proportion shall be stipulated in the articles of association. The representatives of the staff and workers in the supervisory board shall be democratically elected by the staff and workers of he company.

　　Where a limited liability company has a small number of shareholders and is comparatively small in scale， it may have one or two supervisors.

　　Directors， the manager or personnel in charge o financial affairs of the company may not concurrently serve as supervisors.

　　Article 53 The term of office of a supervisor¹³ shall be three years. A supervisor may， if reelected upon expiration of his term of office， serve consecutive terms.

　　Article 54 The supervisory board or the supervisors shall exercise the following functions and powers：

　　（1）to examine the financial affair of company；

　　（2）to supervise the acts of the directors and the manager violating the laws， administrative regulations or the articles of association of the company during the performance of their functions；

　　（3）to demand directors and the manager to make rectification⁸² if any of their acts is found to have impaired⁸⁴ the interests of the company；

　　（4）t propose the convening of interim shareholders' meetings； and

　　（5）other functions and powers as stipulated in the articles of association of the company.

　　The supervisors shall attend meetings of the board of directors as non-voting participants.

　　Article 55 A company shall， in studying and deciding on issues involving the immediate⁸⁵ interests of its staff and workers such as their salaries， welfare， safety in production， labour protection and labour insurance， solicit⁸⁶ in advance the opinions of the trade union and the staff and workers shall be invited to attend relevant meetings as non-voting participants.

　　Article 56 A company shall solicit the opinions and suggestions of the trade union and the staff and workers of the company when studying and deciding on major issues concerning production and operation， and formulating⁸⁷ important rules and regulations.

　　Article 57 None of the following persons may hold the position of director， supervisor or manager of a company：

　　（1）a person without capacity or with restricted capacity for civil acts；

　　（2）a person who was sentenced to criminal punishment for the crime of embezzlement⁸⁸， bribery⁸⁹， seizure⁹⁰ of property or misappropriation of property or for undermining the socio-economic order， where not more than five years have elapsed since the expiration of the enforcement period； or a person who was deprived of his political rights for committing a crime where not more than five years have elapsed since the expiration of the enforcement period；

　　（3）a director， r factory head or manager who was personally responsible for the bankruptcy¹⁶ liquidation of the company or enterprise due to mismanagement， where not more than three years have elapsed since the date of completion of the bankruptcy liquidation；

　　（4）a legal representative of the company or enterprise that had the business licence revoked⁹¹ for violation⁹² of the law， where such representative bear individual liability therefor and not more than three years have elapsed since the date of revocation⁹³ of the business license； and

　　（5）a person with relatively large amount of personal debts that have fallen due but haven's been settled.

　　Where a company elects or appoints a director or supervisor or engages the manager in violation of the preceding paragraph， such election， appointment or engagement shall be invalid⁹⁴.

　　Article 58 Public servants of the State may not concurrently serve as directors supervisors or managers of companies.

　　Article 59 Directors， supervisors and the manager of a company shall comply with the articles of association of the company， faithfully perform their duties and maintain the interests of company and shall not take advantage of their position， functions and powers in the company to seek personal gains.

　　Directors， supervisors and the manager of a company shall not， by taking advantage of their functions and powers， accept brides or other unlawful incomes， nor may they misappropriate the property of the company.

　　Article 60 Directors and the manager of a company shall not misappropriate company funds or lend company funds to others.

　　Directors and the manager shall not deposit company asset in their own personal accounts or in personal accounts of other individuals.

　　Directors and the manager shall not use company assets as security for the personal debts of shareholders of the company or of other individuals.

　　Article 61 Directors and the manager shall not operate for themselves， or for others， the same category of business as is operated by the company they are serving or， engage in activities which impair⁸³ the interests of the company. If a director or the manager engages in such business or activities， the incomes derived therefrom shall belong to the company.

　　Directors and the manager shall not enter into contracts or conduct transactions with the company except as provided for in the articles of association or approved by the shareholders' meeting.

　　Article 62 Directors， supervisors and the manager shall not disclose any company secrets except as provided for by law or approved by the shareholders' meeting.

　　Article 63 Directors， supervisors and the manager shall be liable for compensation， if they violate the laws， administrative regulations or the articles of association in performance of their duties and thus cause damage to the company.

　　Section 3

　　Wholly State-owned Companies

　　Article 64 A wholly State-owned company mentioned in this Law means a limited liability company invested in and established solely⁹⁵ by the State-authorized investment institution or a department authorized by the State.

　　Companies which manufacture special products as determined⁹⁶ by the State Council or companies that belong to the category of specialized⁹⁷ trades shall adopt the form of wholly State-owned companies.

　　Article 65 The articles of association of a wholly State-owned company shall be formulated by the State-authorized investment institution or a department authorized by the State in accordance with this Law， or be formulated by the board of directors of the company and submitted for the approval of the relevant State-authorized investment institution or the department authorized by the State.

　　Article 66 A wholly State-owned company shall not have a shareholders' meeting. The State-authorized investment institution or the department authorized by the State shall authorize⁴⁸ the board of directors of the company to exercise part of the functions and powers of the shareholders meeting and to make decisions on important matters of the company However， the merger， division， dissolution， increase and reduction of capital， and issuance of company bonds must be decided⁹⁸ by the State-authorized investment institution or by the department authorized by the State.

　　Article 67 The supervisory board of a wholly State-owned Company shall be mainly composed of members appointed by the State Council or by the institutions or departments authorized by the State Council， and shall include representatives of the staff and workers of the company. The component⁹⁹ members of the supervisory board shall be no less than three person， the supervisory board shall exercise the functions and powers specified in Subparagraph （1） and （2） of the first paragraph of Article 54of this Law and other functions and powers specified by the State Council.

　　The supervisors shall attend meetings of the board of the board of directors as non-voting participants.

　　Directors， the manager and persons in charge of financial affairs of the company may not concurrently serve as supervisors.

　　Article 68 A wholly State-owned company shall have a board of directors， which shall exercise its functions and powers in accordance with the provisions of Articles 46 and 66 of this Law. Each term of office of the board of directors shall be three years.

　　The board of directors shall be composed of three to nine members， who shall be appointed and replaced by the State-authorized investment institution or by the department authorized by the State in accordance with the term of office of the board of directors. The board of directors shall include representatives of the staff and workers of the company. The representatives of the staff and workers on the board of the board of directors shall be democratically elected by the staff and workers of the company.

　　The board of directors shall have a chairman and， if necessary， may have a vice-chairman. The chairman and vice-chairman shall be designated by the State-authorized investment institution or the department authorized by the State from among members of the board of directors.

　　The chairman of the board of directors shall be legal representative of the company.

　　Article 69 A wholly State-owned company shall have a manager， who shall be engaged and dismissed by the board of directors. The manager shall exercise his functions and powers in accordance with the provisions of Article 50 of this Law.

　　A members of the board of directors may， subject to the consent of the State-authorized investment institution or the department authorized by the State， serve concurrently as manager.

　　Article 70 The chairman， vice-chairman and director of the board， or the manager of a wholly State-owned company may not， without the consent of the State-authorized investment institution or the department authorized by the State， serve concurrently as a leading member in other limited liability companies， joint-stock limited companies or other business organizations.

　　Article 71 Where a wholly State-owned company transfers its assets， the procedures for examination and approval， and the transfer of property rights shall be handled by the State-authorized investment institution or the department authorized by the State in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations.

　　Article 72 Large-sized wholly State-owned companies with a sound business management system and relatively successful operations may be authorized by the State Council to exercise the right of asset owners.

　　Chapter Ⅲ

　　Incorporation and Organizational Structure of Joint Stock Limited Companies

　　Section 1

　　Incorporation

　　Article 73 To incorporate a joint stock limited company， the following conditions must be satisfied：

　　（1）the number of sponsors shall conform to the statutory number；

　　（2）the share capital subscribed for by the sponsors and raised from the general public shall reach the statutory minimum amount of capital；

　　（3）the issuance of shares and preparations for incorporation shall be in conformity¹⁰⁰ with the provisions of law；

　　（4） the articles of association of the company shall be formulated by the sponsors and adopted at the inaugural¹⁰¹ meeting；

　　（5）the company shall have a name and an organizational structure required for the incorporation of a joint stock limited company； and

　　（6）the company shall have fixed premises and the necessary conditions for production and operation.

　　Article 74 Joint stock limited companies may be incorporated by means of sponsorship or by means of share offer.

　　“Incorporation by means of sponsorship” means incorporation of a company by means of subscription by the sponsors for all the shares to be issued by the company.

　　“Incorporation by means of share offer” means incorporation of a company by means of subscription by the sponsors for a portion of the shares to be issued by the company and offer of the rest to the general public.

　　Article 75 To incorporate a joint stock limited company， there shall be five or more sponsors， of which more than half must have their domicile within the territory of the people's Republic of China.

　　Where a State-owned enterprise is restructured as a joint stock limited company， there may be less than five sponsors， however， such a company shall be incorporated by means of share offer.

　　Article 76 The sponsors of a joint stock limited company must subscribe⁵⁹ in accordance with this Law for the shares to be subscribed for by them， and shall undertake the matters concerning the preparation for the incorporation of the company.

　　Article 77 The incorporation of a joint stock limited company must be subject to the approval of a department authorized by the State Council or of a people's government at the provincial¹⁰² level.

　　Article 78 The registered capital of a joint stock limited company shall be the total amount f paid-up share capital as registered with the company registration authority.

　　The minimum registered capital of a joint stock limited company shall be RMB 10， 000， 000 Yuan. If the minimum registered capital of a joint stock limited company needs to be higher than the aforesaid amount， it shall be stipulated separately by laws or administrative regulations.

　　Article 79 The articles of association of a joint stock limited company shall specify the following items：

　　（1）the name and domicile of the company；

　　（2）the scope of business of the company；

　　（3）the method of incorporation of company；

　　（4）the total number of shares， the amount of each share and the registered capital of the company；

　　（5）the names or titles of the sponsors and the numbers of shares subscribed for by the sponsors；

　　（6）the right s and obligations of the shareholders；

　　（7）the compositition， functions and powers， the term of office and the deliberation rules of the board of directors；

　　（8）the legal representative of the company；

　　（9）the composition， functions and powers， the term of office and the deliberation rules of the supervisory board；

　　（10）methods for the distr4ibuton of the company's profit；

　　（11）the reasons for dissolution of the company and liquidation method；

　　（12）methods for notices and announcements of the company； and

　　（13）other matters that the shareholders' general meeting deems necessary to be specified.

　　Article 80 The sponsors may make their capital contributions in cash， or with material objects， industrial property rights， non-patented technology nor land-use rights at their appraised value. Material objects industrial property rights， non-patented technology or land-use rights contributed as capital must be appraised and valued， and such property must be verified and converted into shares. Such contributions may not be over-valued or under-valued. The appraisal and valuation of land-use rights shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and administrative regulations.

　　The amount of capital contributions made by sponsors in the form of industrial property rights and non-patented technology shall not exceed twenty percent of registered capital of a joint stock limited company.

　　Article 81 Where a State-owned enterprise is restructured as a joint stock limited company， it shall be strictly¹⁰³ prohibited to convert the State-owned assets into shares at a depressed¹⁰⁴ price or to sell off them at a depressed price， or to distribute them to individuals without charge.

　　Article 82 Where a joint stock limited company is incorporated by means of sponsorship， the sponsors shall pay in full for their shares immediately after confirming in writing their subscription of the shares to be issued according to the articles of association of the company. If material objects， industrial property rights， non-patented technology or land-use rights are invested as payment for shares， the sponsors shall undertake the transfer procedures for property rights therein in accordance with law.

　　After the sponsors make their capital contributions in full， they shall elect the board of directors and supervisory board. The board of directors shall submit to the company registration authority the documents such as approval document for the company's incorporation， articles of association and capital verification certificate of the company， and shall apply for registration of in incorporation.

　　Article 83 Where a joint stock limited company is incorporated by means of share offer， the sponsors shall not subscribe for less than thirty five percent of the total shares issued by the company， and the remaining shares shares be offered to the genera public.

　　Article 84 When offering shares to the general public for subscription， the sponsors must submit to the securities administration department under the State Council an application for offer along with the following main documents：

　　（1）the approval documents for the incorporation of the company；

　　（2）the articles of association of the company；

　　（3）a business forecast；

　　（4）the names， or titles of the sponsors， the number of shares subscribed for by the sponsors， the forms of capital contributions and the capital verification certificate；

　　（5）the prospectus¹⁰⁵ on share offer；

　　（6）the name and address of the bank accepting subscription money on behalf of the company； and

　　（7） the name of underwriters and related agreements.

　　The sponsors shall not offer shares to the general public without the approval of the securities administration department under the State Council.

　　Article 85 A joint stock limited company may， with the approval of the securities administration department under the State Council， offer its shares to the general public outside the territory of the people's Republic of China. The specific measures therefor shall be specially¹⁰⁶ stipulated by the State Council.

　　Article 86 The securities administration department under the State Council shall approve the applications for share offer which conform to the provisions of this Law， and disapprove¹⁰⁷ the applications which fail to conform to the provisions of this law.

　　If an approval is found to be inconsistent with the provisions of this Law after it has been granted， much approval shall be revoked. If the share offer has not yet been made， the offer shall be halted； if the share offer has already been make， the subscribers may claim a refund¹⁰⁸ from the sponsors according to their paid-up subscriptions¹⁰⁹ plus bank deposit interest calculated for the same period.

　　Article 87 A prospectus on share offer

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