国办发明电[1997]15号
颁布日期:19970504 实施日期:19970504 颁布单位:国务院办公厅
GuoBanFaMingDian [1997] No.15
May 4, 1997
People's governments of all provinces, autonomous1 regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, all ministries2, commissions and directly subordinate institutions of the State Council:
Since the decision of the State Council in July 1992 to set up Chinese-foreign equity3 joint4 ventures and Chinese-foreign contractual commercial retailers5 on a pilot basis, the work has been progressing smoothly6 and has exerted positive effects on the reform and development of Chinese commercial enterprises. However, some local governments, disregarding the provisions of the State Council, approved and opened some commercial enterprises with foreign investment without authorization7, which resulted in disorderly administration on the examination and approval of commercial projects foreign investment, disoriented development and mode of cooperation inconsistent with the state policies, etc. And it further brought confusion to and negative impact on the pilot work of foreign capital utilization8 in the commercial sector9. As agreed upon by the State Council, to safeguard the uniformity and solemnity of the state policies and to ensure further and sounder development of the pilot work in Chinese commercial sector in an orderly manner, the urgent notification is hereby given as follows:
1. Foreign capital utilization in the commercial sector is still at the pilot stage, the scope, number and the examination and approval of the pilot projects should still comply with the Reply of the State Council Concerning Foreign Capital Utilization in the Commercial Retailing10 Industry (GuoHan [1992] No.82)。 The State Council reiterates11 that the authority for the examination and approval of commercial enterprises with foreign investment belongs to the State council.
2. As of the issuing date of this circular, local governments at all levels should immediately terminate the practice of negotiating with commercial enterprises with foreign investment and conducting unauthorized examination and approval. Those that are in the process of examination and approval should cancel all ongoing12 procedures immediately. Those that are currently negotiating with foreign inventors should terminate the negotiation13 immediately. Without the approval of the State council, no administration of industry and commerce at any levels should conduct registration14 procedures for commercial enterprises with foreign investment.
3. The State Council has decided15 to conduct an overall review and rectification16 of commercial enterprises with foreign investment approved by local governments without authorization and those established locally in other ways. The specific measures hereof will be announced separately.
4. Local governments at all levels should strengthen their guidance and administration on foreign capital utilization in the commercial sector. Any new commercial enterprise with foreign investment is found to be established without the approval the State Council will be shut down and the involved government officials will be affixed17 due legal liability.