Implementing Opinions on Several Issues Concerning the Application of the Law in the Administration of the Examination, Approval and Registration of Foreign-invested Companies

关于外商投资的公司审批登记管理法律适用若干问题的执行意见

The Opinion clarifies issues such as organizational structure, incorporation form, timing and documentary requirements pertaining to approval applications, registration and capital contributions of foreign-invested enterprises, reinvestment requirements as well as approvals and registration of amendment.

Clp Reference: 2300/06.04.24 Promulgated: 2006-04-24

(Issued by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce, the Ministry of Commerce, the General Administration of Customs and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange on April 24 2006.)

(国家工商行政管理总局、商务部、海关总署、国家外汇管理局于二零零六年四月二十四日发布。)

Gong Shang Wai Qi Zi [2006] No.81

工商外企字 [2006] 81号

With a view to accurately applying the law, carrying out the administration of the examination, approval and registration of foreign investment in a legally compliant and efficient manner that makes matters convenient for people, promoting the healthy development of foreign-invested enterprises and improving the quality and standards of use of foreign investment in China, we hereby set forth the following implementing opinions on how to apply the PRC Company Law (the Company Law), the PRC Regulations for the Administration of Company Registration (the Registration Regulations) and state laws, administrative regulations and policies on foreign investment in the administration of the examination, approval and registration of foreign-invested companies.

为了准确适用法律,规范、便民、高效地开展外资审批和登记管理工作,促进外商投资企业健康发展,提高我国利用外资的质量和水平,现就外商投资的公司审批和登记管理如何适用《中华人民共和国公司法》(以下简称《公司法》)、《中华人民共和国公司登记管理条例》(以下简称《公司登记管理条例》)以及国家关于外商投资的法律、行政法规和政策,提出以下执行意见。

1. The Company Law and Registration Regulations shall apply to the administration of the registration of foreign-invested companies, unless laws on foreign-invested enterprises provide otherwise, in which case the provisions of such laws shall apply. If the Company Law, Registration Regulations and laws on foreign-invested enterprises are silent on a matter, administrative regulations on foreign-invested enterprises, decisions of the State Council and other state provisions on foreign investment shall apply.

一、   外商投资的公司的登记管理适用《公司法》和《公司登记管理条例》;有关外商投资企业的法律另有规定的,适用其规定;《公司法》、《公司登记管理条例》、有关外商投资企业的法律没有规定的,适用有关外商投资企业的行政法规、国务院决定和国家有关外商投资的其他规定。

2. Foreign companies, enterprises, other economic organizations and natural persons (Foreign Investors) may, in accordance with the law, establish companies in the form of Sino-foreign equity and cooperative joint ventures with Chinese enterprises and other economic organizations or, alternatively, may, in accordance with the law, establish companies in the form of wholly foreign-owned equity joint ventures and wholly owned foreign-invested enterprises.

二、   外国公司、企业和其他经济组织或者自然人(以下简称外国投资者)可以同中国的企业、其他经济组织以中外合资、中外合作的形式依法设立公司,也可以外商合资、外商独资的形式依法设立公司。

If a one-person limited liability company is established in the form of a wholly owned foreign-invested enterprise, in accordance with the law, the minimum limit on its registered capital shall comply with the provisions of the Company Law on one-person limited liability companies. One-person limited liability companies established by foreign natural persons shall additionally comply with the provisions of the Company Law on the limits on investments of one-person limited liability companies in third parties. Matters shall remain unchanged for wholly owned foreign-invested companies established in accordance with the law before January 1 2006, however, changes in their registered capital and the investments that they make in third parties shall comply with the foregoing provisions.

      以外商独资的形式依法设立一人有限公司的,其注册资本最低限额应当符合《公司法》关于一人有限公司的规定;外国自然人设立一人有限公司的,还应当符合《公司法》关于一人有限公司对外投资限制的规定。2006年1月1日以前已经依法设立的外商独资的公司维持不变,但其变更注册资本和对外投资时应当符合上述规定。

3. The board of directors of a Sino-foreign equity or cooperative joint venture limited liability company shall be the company's highest authority. The organizational structures of such companies shall be specified by the company in its articles of association pursuant to the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law or the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law and the Company Law.

三、   中外合资、中外合作的有限责任公司的董事会是公司的权力机构,其组织机构由公司根据《中外合资经营企业法》、《中外合作经营企业法》和《公司法》通过公司章程规定。

The organizational structures of wholly foreign-owned equity joint venture and wholly owned foreign-invested limited liability companies and of foreign-invested companies limited by shares shall comply with the Company Law and the company's articles of association.

      外商合资、外商独资的有限责任公司以及外商投资的股份有限公司的组织机构应当符合《公司法》和公司章程的规定。

4. The time limit for the application for the registration of the establishment of a foreign-invested company shall comply with the Registration Regulations. However, if a company is established in the form of a Sino-foreign cooperative joint venture, wholly foreign-owned equity joint venture or wholly owned foreign-invested company, the application for registration of its establishment shall, in accordance with the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law or the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law, be made to the company registry within 30 days of the date of receipt of its approval document. If the application for the registration of establishment is made late, the applicant shall report to the examination and approval authority for confirmation of the validity of its original approval document or carry out the examination and approval procedures anew.

四、   外商投资的公司设立登记的申请期限应当符合《公司登记管理条例》规定。但是,以中外合作、外商合资、外商独资形式设立公司的,应当按照《中外合作经营企业法》和《外资企业法》的规定,自收到批准文件之日起30日内向公司登记机关申请设立登记。逾期申请设立登记的,申请人应当报审批机关确认原批准文件的效力或者另行报批。

5. The entity qualification certificate or proof of identity of a Foreign Investor submitted to the examination and approval authority, and the registry when applying for the examination and approval and the registration of establishment of a foreign-invested company shall have been notarized by a notary office in the country where the Foreign Investor is located and authenticated by the embassy or consulate of China in such country. A notarial deed from a local notary office shall be provided, in accordance with the law, together with the entity qualification certificate or proof of identity of an investor from Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan.

五、   申请外商投资的公司的审批和设立登记时向审批和登记机关提交的外国投资者的主体资格証明或身份証明应当经所在国家公証机关公証并经我国驻该国使(领)馆认証。香港、澳门和台湾地区投资者的主体资格証明或身份証明应当依法提供当地公証机构的公証文件。

When applying for the examination and approval of a foreign-invested company and registration of its establishment, in addition to the documents specified in Article 20 or 21 of the Registration Regulations, the Power of Attorney for Service of Legal Documents signed by the Foreign Investor (the authorizing party) and the domestic receiver of legal documents (the attorney) shall be submitted to the examination and approval authority and the registry. The power of attorney shall expressly authorize the domestic attorney to accept service of legal documents on the behalf of the authorizing party, and state the address and method of contacting the attorney. The attorney may be a branch or sub-branch established by the Foreign Investor, a company it intends to establish (if the attorney is a company that the Foreign Investor intends to establish, the power of attorney will enter into effect after the establishment of the company) or other relevant work unit or individual in China.

      申请外商投资的公司的审批和设立登记,除提交《公司登记管理条例》第二十条或第二十一条规定的相应文件外,还应当向审批和登记机关提交外国投资者(授权人)与境内法律文件送达接受人(被授权人)签署的《法律文件送达授权委托书》。该委托书应当明确授权境内被授权人代为接受法律文件送达,并载明被授权人地址、联系方式。被授权人可以是外国投资者设立的分支机构、拟设立的公司(被授权人为拟设立的公司的,公司设立后委托生效)或者其他境内有关单位或个人。

When a company adds a new overseas investor, it shall also submit the aforementioned documents to the examination and approval authority and the registry.

      公司增加新的境外投资者的,也应当向审批和登记机关提交上述文件。

When a foreign-invested company applies to the company registry for registration of its establishment or amendment of its registration after an equity transfer, it shall no longer be required to submit the equity or cooperative joint venture contract or the investors' certificates of creditworthiness.

      外商投资的公司向公司登记机关申请设立登记、股权转让变更登记时不再提交合资、合作合同和投资者的资信証明。

6. Based on the application, the company registry shall, in accordance with the law, register a foreign-invested company either as a "limited liability company" or a "company limited by shares" and, depending on the form in which it is established, add the words "(Sino-foreign equity joint venture)", "(Sino-foreign cooperative joint venture)", "(wholly foreign-owned equity joint venture)", "(wholly owned by a foreign legal person)", "(wholly owned by a foreign economic organization without legal personality)", "(wholly owned by a foreign natural person)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao investors and foreign investors)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao investors and domestic investors)", "(cooperative joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao investors and domestic investors)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong and/or Macao investors)", "(wholly owned by a Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao legal person)", "(wholly owned by a Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao economic organization without legal personality)", "(wholly owned by a Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao natural person)", etc. after "limited liability company", or the words "(Sino-foreign equity joint venture, unlisted)", "(Sino-foreign equity joint venture, listed)", "(wholly foreign-owned equity joint venture, unlisted)", "(wholly foreign-owned equity joint venture, listed)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao investors and foreign investors, unlisted)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao investors and foreign investors, listed)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao investors and domestic investors, unlisted)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macao investors and domestic investors, listed)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong and/or Macao investors, unlisted)", "(equity joint venture between Taiwan, Hong Kong and/or Macao investors, listed)" after "company limited by shares".

六、   公司登记机关应当根据申请,依法将外商投资的公司类型分别登记为“有限责任公司”或“股份有限公司”,并根据其设立形式在“有限责任公司”后相应加注“(中外合资)”、“(中外合作)”、“(外商合资)”、“(外国法人独资)”、“(外国非法人经济组织独资)”、“(外国自然人独资)”、“(台港澳与外国投资者合资)”、“(台港澳与境内合资)”、“(台港澳与境内合作)”、“(台港澳合资)”、“(台港澳法人独资)”、“(台港澳非法人经济组织独资)”、“(台港澳自然人独资)”等字样,在“股份有限公司”后相应加注“(中外合资,未上市)”、“(中外合资,上市)”、“(外商合资,未上市)”、“(外商合资,上市)”、“(台港澳与外国投资者合资,未上市)”、“(台港澳与外国投资者合资,上市)”、“(台港澳与境内合资,未上市)”、“(台港澳与境内合资,上市)”、“(台港澳合资,未上市)”、“(台港澳合资,上市)”等字样。

A company registry may, based on state policy on the use of foreign investment in industry and relevant provisions, add the relevant classification identifier after the company type (e.g. "(foreign investment percentage below 25%)", "(A-share merger/acquisition)", "(A-share merger/acquisition 25% or above)", etc.).

      公司登记机关可以根据国家利用外资产业政策及其相关规定,在公司类型后加注有关分类标识(如 “(外资比例低于25%)”、“(A股并购)”、“(A股并购25%或以上)”等)。

With respect to foreign-invested companies established before January 1 2006, company registries shall make the appropriate revisions in accordance with the foregoing provisions when such companies carry out the procedures for the amendment of their registration.

      对于2006年1月1日以前已经设立的外商投资的公司,公司登记机关应当在其变更登记时依上述规定做相应调整。

7. Once a foreign-invested company is established, it may make domestic investments in accordance with the law. The company registry shall not longer issue relevant proof of qualifications to make domestic investments.

七、   外商投资的公司设立以后,可以依法开展境内投资。公司登记机关不再出具相应的境内投资资格証明。

If the detailed company type is not indicated on the business licence of a foreign-invested company as specified in Article 6 hereof and such company applies to establish a one-person limited liability company, the company registry shall issue a certificate of its being "wholly owned by a person other than a natural person".

      外商投资的公司营业执照尚未按本意见第六条载明公司详细类型,且又申请设立一人有限公司的,由公司登记机关出具“非自然人独资”的証明。

8. The registered capital of a foreign-invested company may be expressed either in renminbi or a freely convertible currency. The translation of the foreign currency part of the registered capital of a company into renminbi or between two currencies shall be made at the median of the exchange rates posted by the People's Bank of China on the date of payment.

八、   外商投资的公司的注册资本可以用人民币表示,也可以用其他可自由兑换的外币表示。作为公司注册资本的外币与人民币或者外币与外币之间的折算,应按发生(缴款)当日中国人民银行公布的汇率的中间价计算。

9. The first instalment of the capital contributions of the shareholders of a foreign-invested limited liability company (including one-person limited liability companies) shall comply with laws and administrative regulations. If the entire amount of a capital contribution is to be paid in, in one lump sum, the full amount shall be paid within six months of the date of establishment of the company. If the capital contributions are to be paid in, in instalments, the amount of the initial instalments may not be less than 15% of the capital contributions subscribed to, nor lower than the statutory minimum registered capital, and shall be paid in within three months of the date of establishment of the company. The time limits for the remainder of the capital contributions shall comply with the Company Law, laws on foreign investment and the Registration Regulations. If other laws or administrative regulations require the shareholders to pay in the entire amounts of their capital contributions at the time of establishment of the company, such requirements shall apply.

九、   外商投资的有限责任公司(含一人有限公司)的股东首次出资额应当符合法律、行政法规的规定,一次性缴付全部出资的,应当在公司成立之日起六个月内缴足;分期缴付的,首次出资额不得低于其认缴出资额的百分之十五,也不得低于法定的注册资本最低限额,并应当在公司成立之日起三个月内缴足,其余部分的出资时间应符合《公司法》、有关外商投资的法律和《公司登记管理条例》的规定。其他法律、行政法规要求股东应当在公司成立时缴付全部出资的,从其规定。

The capital contributions to a foreign-invested company limited by shares shall comply with the Company Law.

      外商投资的股份有限公司的出资应当符合《公司法》的规定。

10. The capital contribution methods of the shareholders of a foreign-invested company shall comply with Article 27 of the Company Law, Article 14 of the Registration Regulations and the Provisions for the Administration of Registration of the Registered Capital of Companies. Until the State Administration for Industry and Commerce together with relevant departments formulate provisions on capital contributions made in the form of property other than cash, physical goods, intellectual property rights and leaseholds, if a shareholder is to make its capital contribution in the form of property other than the property specified in the second paragraph of Article 14 of the Registration Regulations, such property shall be subject to appraisal and valuation by an appraisal institution lawfully established in China. When the property is verified, its value may not be over or underestimated. When the capital contribution is actually made, a capital verification must be carried out by a capital verification institution lawfully established in China, which shall issue a capital verification certificate.

十、   外商投资的公司的股东的出资方式应当符合《公司法》第二十七条、《公司登记管理条例》第十四条和《公司注册资本登记管理规定》的规定。在国家工商行政管理总局会同有关部门就货币、实物、知识产权、土地使用权以外的其他财产出资作出规定以前,股东以《公司登记管理条例》第十四条第二款所列财产以外的其他财产出资的,应当经境内依法设立的评估机构评估作价,核实财产,不得高估或者低估作价。实缴出资时还必须经境内依法设立的验资机构验资并出具验资証明。

When a shareholder of a Sino-foreign equity joint venture limited liability company is to make its capital contribution in the form of non-monetary property (excluding leaseholds), such as physical goods (including equipment), industrial property rights, etc., as specified in the Sino-foreign Equity Joint Venture Law, the value thereof may be discussed and determined by the parties.

     中外合资的有限责任公司的股东以《中外合资经营企业法》规定的实物(含设备)、工业产权等非货币财产(土地使用权除外)出资的,其价格可以由合营各方评议商定。

11. The funds raised by a shareholder of a foreign-invested company in the form of a loan, etc. taken out in its own name shall be deemed funds owned by such shareholder and, after issuance of a capital verification certificate by a capital verification institution, may serve as such shareholder's capital contribution.

十一、 外商投资的公司的股东以自己的名义通过借贷等方式筹措的资金应当视为自己所有的资金,经验资机构出具验资証明以后可以作为该股东的出资。

12. The time limit for a foreign-invested company to apply for amendment of its registration shall comply with the Registration Regulations. If laws or administrative regulations specify or if the State Council decides that a company and its registered particulars require approval before amendment of registration, the company shall carry out the procedures for the amendment of its registration within 30 days of the date of approval by the examination and approval authority. If the application is made late, the applicant shall report to the original examination and approval authority for confirmation of the validity of its document or carry out examination and approval procedures anew.

十二、 外商投资的公司申请变更登记的期限应当符合《公司登记管理条例》的规定。法律、行政法规规定或者国务院决定公司和公司登记事项在变更登记前须经批准的,应当自审批机关批准之日起30日内申请办理变更登记。逾期申请的,申请人应当报原审批机关确认文件效力或者另行报批。

13. When a foreign-invested company applies for amendment of its registration it shall submit the relevant documents as specified in Article 27 and Article 29, 31, 32, 33, 34 or 35 of the Registration Regulations. When carrying out the procedures for the amendment of registration for a change in the registered particulars set forth below, the examination and approval document issued by the original examination and approval authority and the amended approval certificate shall additionally be submitted:

十三、 外商投资的公司申请变更登记应当依照《公司登记管理条例》第二十七条、第二十九条、第三十一条、第三十二条、第三十三条、第三十四条、第三十五条规定提交相应的文件。因下列情形办理有关登记事项变更登记时还应当提交原审批机关的审批文件以及变更后的批准証书:

(1) registered capital;

(一)  注册资本;

(2) company type;

(二)  公司类型;

(3) scope of business;

(三)  经营范围;

(4) term of operation;

(四)  营业期限;

(5) the capital contribution amount subscribed to by a shareholder or promoter, or the capital contribution method;

(五)  股东或发起人认缴的出资额、出资方式;

(6) the merger or division of the foreign-invested company;

(六)  外商投资的公司合并、分立;

(7) a change of address that crosses the jurisdiction of the examination and approval authority; or

(七)  跨审批机关管辖的地址变更;

(8) a transfer of the equity of a limited liability company or shares in a company limited by shares (unless the particulars recorded on the business licence and approval certificate are not affected).

(八)  有限责任公司股权转让或股份有限公司股份转让(不涉及营业执照和批准証书载明事项的除外)。

In circumstances other than those specified in the preceding paragraph, if the registered particulars of a foreign-invested company are changed such that amendment of the company's articles of association is involved, amendment procedures shall be carried out with the examination and approval authority within 30 days after carrying out the procedures for the amendment of registration.

      除前款规定情形以外,外商投资的公司登记事项变更涉及公司章程修改的,应当在办理变更登记手续后30日内依法向审批机关办理变更手续。

14. If a foreign-invested company is to be relocated (beyond the jurisdiction of the original company registry), the procedures for relocation shall be carried out with the original company registry. If the relocation crosses examination and approval authority jurisdictions, an application shall be submitted to the examination and approval authority of the place to where the company is relocating. The examination and approval authority of the place to where the company is relocating shall seek the opinion of the examination and approval authority of the place from where the company is relocating within five working days of receipt of the application. The examination and approval authority of the place from where the company is relocating shall reply within five working days of receipt of the letter seeking its opinion. The examination and approval authority of the place to where the company is relocating shall issue its official reply within three working days of receipt of the opinion. The original company registry shall seek the opinion of the company registry of the place to where the company is relocating within five working days of receipt of the application. The registry of the place to where the company is relocating shall reply within five working days. The original company registry shall recover the business licence and issue a relocation certificate based on the opinions consenting to the relocation issued by the company registry and the examination and approval authority of the place to where the company is relocating and, within 10 working days, forward the application materials and the company registration file to the company registry of the place to where the company is relocating. The company applying for relocation shall return its approval certificate to the examination and approval authority of the place from where it is relocating on the strength of the relocation certificate and the approval document of the examination and approval authority, collect its approval certificate from the examination and approval authority of the place to where it is relocating and apply to the company registry of the place to where it is relocating for amendment of its registration and collect its business licence.

十四、 外商投资的公司迁移(跨原公司登记机关管辖的),应当向原公司登记机关申请办理迁移手续。跨审批机关管辖的,应当向迁入地审批机关提出申请。迁入地审批机关收到申请后,应当在5个工作日内征求迁出地审批机关意见;迁出地审批机关应当在收到征求意见函后的5个工作日内回复;迁入地审批机关收到意见后,应当在3个工作日内作出批复。原公司登记机关收到申请后,应当在5个工作日内征求迁入地登记机关意见;迁入地登记机关应当在5个工作日内回复;原公司登记机关根据迁入地公司登记机关和审批机关同意迁入的意见,收缴营业执照,出具迁移証明,并在10个工作日内将申请材料和公司登记档案移送迁入地的公司登记机关。申请迁移的公司凭迁移証明和审批机关的批准文件,向迁出地审批机关缴销批准証书,到迁入地审批机关领取批准証书,向迁入地的公司登记机关申请变更登记,领取营业执照。

15. If a foreign-invested company increases its registered capital, and the company is a limited liability company (including a one-person limited liability company) or a company limited by shares established through promotion, the shareholders shall pay in 20% of the capital increase at the time the company applies for amendment of the registration of its registered capital. The schedule for the payment of the remainder shall comply with theCompany Law, laws on foreign investment and the Registration Regulations. If other laws or administrative regulations provide otherwise, such provisions shall prevail.

十五、 外商投资的公司增加注册资本,有限责任公司(含一人有限公司)和以发起方式设立的股份有限公司的股东应当在公司申请注册资本变更登记时缴付不低于百分之二十的新增注册资本,其余部分的出资时间应符合《公司法》、有关外商投资的法律和《公司登记管理条例》的规定。其他法律、行政法规另有规定的,从其规定。

When a company limited by shares issues new shares to increase its registered capital, the subscription for new shares by shareholders shall be handled in accordance with provisions on the payment of subscription moneys for the establishment of a company limited by shares.

      股份有限公司为增加注册资本发行新股时,股东认购新股,依照设立股份有限公司缴纳股款的有关规定执行。

16. When an applicant applies for a change in its registered capital under the circumstances set forth below, if imported goods that are to serve as a capital contribution, made in the form of physical goods, may be exempted from duties and tax in accordance with provisions, the applicant shall explain the relevant circumstances to customs in writing and shall first carry out the procedures for the release on bond of imported equipment on the strength of a Confirmation as a Domestic or Foreign-invested Project Whose Development is Encouraged by the State and, after obtaining its amended business licence, carry out the relevant duty and tax reduction or exemption procedures:

十六、 申请人在下列情况下申请注册资本变更时,对于作为实物出资的进口货物按规定可以免税的,申请人应当向海关书面说明有关情况,并先凭《国家鼓励发展的内外资项目确认书》申请办理进口设备的凭保放行手续,在取得变更后的公司营业执照后,再办理相关的减免税手续:

(1) when a foreign-invested company is to increase its registered capital, it applies to have a capital contribution made in the form of imported physical goods and receives the approval of the examination and approval authority therefor;

(一)  外商投资的公司增加注册资本时申请以进口实物出资并经审批机关批准的;

(2) when a Foreign Investor or a foreign-invested company acquires a domestic enterprise and is to increase its registered capital, it applies to have a capital contribution made in the form of imported physical goods and receives the approval of the examination and approval authority therefor; or

(二)  外国投资者或者外商投资的公司并购境内企业同时增加注册资本时申请以进口实物出资并经审批机关批准的;

(3) a foreign-invested company applies for the import of physical goods in connection with another change in its registered capital and receives the approval of the examination and approval authority therefor.

(三)  外商投资的公司因注册资本的其他变动申请实物进口并经审批机关批准的。

17. The foreign exchange departments shall no longer require the applicant to submit its amended business licence when handling the following matters:

十七、 外汇管理部门在办理以下业务时,不再要求申请人提供变更后的公司营业执照:

(1) when a foreign-invested company increases its registered capital and applies for amendment of its foreign exchange registration or for the opening or changing of a capital account;

(一)  外商投资的公司增加注册资本时申请变更外汇登记或者开立、变更资本金账户;

(2) when a Foreign Investor or a foreign-invested company acquires a domestic enterprise, increases its registered capital and applies for foreign exchange registration or for the opening of a capital account;

(二)  外国投资者或外商投资的公司并购境内企业同时增加注册资本时申请办理外汇登记或开立资本金账户;

(3) when a foreign-invested company reduces its registered capital and carries out the procedures with the foreign exchange department for a capital reduction approval document; or

(三)  外商投资的公司减少注册资本而向外汇管理部门申请办理减资核准件;

(4) when a foreign-invested company carries out the procedures for other amendments to its foreign exchange registration due to a change in its capital.

(四)  外商投资的公司因资本变动而办理其他变更外汇登记。

18. The following particulars of a foreign-invested company and changes thereto shall be reported to the company registry for the record:

十八、 外商投资的公司的下列事项及其变更应当向公司登记机关备案:

(1) proposed amendments to the company's articles of association or the amended articles of association of the company that do not involve registered particulars and that were approved by the examination and approval authority (including changes to the total investment);

(一)  经审批机关批准的不涉及登记事项的公司章程修正案或修改后的公司章程(含投资总额的变更);

(2) the company's directors, supervisors or managers;

(二)  公司董事、监事、经理;

(3) the establishment or closing down of branches of the company; and

(三)  公司分公司的设立和注销;

(4) the list of the members and person in charge of the company's liquidation committee.

(四)  公司清算组成员、清算组负责人名单。

The carrying out of record filing procedures shall no longer be required for extensions granted to shareholders of a foreign-invested company to make their capital contributions or the paid-in registered capital of such company, rather, the relevant procedures for amendment of registration shall be carried out in accordance with the Registration Regulations.

      外商投资的公司的股东延期出资、实缴注册资本,不再办理备案手续,而应当按照《公司登记管理条例》办理相应的变更登记。

When a foreign-invested company carries out the procedures for the record filing of a matter, it shall submit to the company registry a record filing application signed by its legal representative (or the person in charge of its liquidation committee) and relevant documents evidencing the occurrence of the matter to be recorded. Once the record filing documents are complete, the company registry shall grant record filing and, as required by the applicant, issue a record filing certificate.

      外商投资的公司办理备案事项,应当向公司登记机关提交由公司法定代表人(清算组负责人)签署的备案报告、証明备案事项发生的相关文件。备案文件齐备的,公司登记机关予以备案,并应申请人的要求,出具备案証明。

19. When a Foreign Investor (authorizing party) changes its domestic receiver of legal documents (attorney), it shall sign a new Power of Attorney for Service of Legal Documents, and report the same to the company registry for the record in a timely manner. If such particulars as the name or address of the attorney change, the same shall likewise be reported to the company registry for the record in a timely manner. The company registry shall record such particulars in the company's registration file.

十九、 外国投资者(授权人)变更境内法律文件送达接受人(被授权人)的,应当签署新的《法律文件送达授权委托书》,并及时向公司登记机关备案。被委托人名称、地址等事项发生变更的,也应当及时向公司登记机关备案。公司登记机关应当在公司登记档案中记载。

If a Foreign Investor fails to carry out the aforementioned record filing procedures, when the company registry serves a domestic legal document on the attorney recorded by the company registry, the same shall be deemed to have been served on the Foreign Investor.

      外国投资者没有办理上述备案的,公司登记机关将境内法律文件送达公司登记机关记载的被授权人,视为向外国投资者送达。

20. When a shareholder of a foreign-invested company carries out the procedures for the record filing of a pledge of its equity, it shall submit to the company registry the application for record filing of a pledge of equity issued by the company, the approval document from the examination and approval authority and the pledge contract. After the company registry accepts the same for record filing, it may, at the request of the applicant, issue a record filing certificate that records such particulars as the name of the shareholder making the pledge, the percentage of the enterprise's equity accounted for by the pledged equity, the name of the pledgee, the pledge term, the examination and approval authority for the pledge contract, etc. During the pledge term, the shareholder that made the pledge may not transfer or re-pledge the pledged equity without the consent of the pledgee and may not reduce its corresponding capital contribution amount.

二十、 外商投资的公司的股东办理股权质押备案,应当向公司登记机关提交公司出具的股权质押备案申请书、审批机关的批准文件、质押合同。公司登记机关接受备案后,应申请人的要求,可出具载明出质股东名称、出质股权占所在企业股权的比例、质权人名称或姓名、质押期限、质押合同的审批机关等事项的备案証明。在质押期间,未经质权人同意,出质股东不得转让或再质押已经出质的股权,也不得减少相应的出资额。

21. If a foreign-invested company applies for cancellation of the amendment of its registration pursuant to Article 22 of the Company Law, it shall submit an application for cancellation of the amendment of its registration and the judgement or ruling of the people's court to the company registry. If approved foreign investment particulars were involved, the approval document of the examination and approval authority shall additionally be submitted. If the same comply with the Company Law, the company registry shall render a decision permitting the cancellation of the amendment of registration, and, if particulars recorded on the business licence were involved, it shall replace the business licence.

二十一、      外商投资的公司根据《公司法》第二十二条的规定申请撤销变更登记,应当向公司登记机关提交撤销变更登记申请书和人民法院的裁判文书。涉及外资审批事项的,还应当提交审批机关的批准文件。符合《公司法》规定的,公司登记机关作出准予撤销变更登记的决定,涉及营业执照记载事项的,应当换发营业执照。

22. If a foreign-invested company fails to establish a liquidation committee within the time limit specified in the Company Law to liquidate the company after grounds for liquidation have arisen and its creditors fail to apply to a people's court to appoint a liquidation committee to liquidate the company, the highest authority of the company, its shareholders or its creditors may apply, in accordance with the Measures for the Liquidation of Foreign-invested Enterprises, to the examination and approval authority for the carrying out of special liquidation. The customs procedures for goods under customs surveillance shall be carried out first, and the relevant duties and taxes paid retroactively.

二十二、      外商投资的公司解散事由出现以后,公司未在《公司法》规定的期限内成立清算组进行清算,债权人也不向人民法院申请指定清算组进行清算的,外商投资的公司的权力机构、股东、债权人可以根据《外商投资企业清算办法》的规定向审批机关申请进行特别清算。海关监管货物应当先办结海关手续,并补交相应税款。

23. When a foreign-invested company applies for de-registration, it shall submit the relevant documents in accordance with Article 44 of the Registration Regulations. The liquidation report shall be accompanied by the proofs of de-registration issued by the tax authorities and proof issued by customs that the customs procedures have been carried out or proof that customs registration procedures were not carried out. If a foreign-invested company terminates its business operations early and applies for de-registration, it shall additionally submit the approval document issued by the examination and approval authority (unless it was ordered to dissolve or declared bankrupt by a court, or was ordered to close down, had its business licence revoked, had its establishment permission revoked or had its establishment registration cancelled by an administrative authority).

二十三、      外商投资的公司申请注销登记,应当依照《公司登记管理条例》第四十四条提交相应文件。其中,清算报告还应当附税务机关的注销証明、海关出具的办结海关手续証明或者未办理海关登记手续的証明;外商投资的公司提前终止经营活动申请注销登记的,还应当提交审批机关的批准文件(法院裁定解散、破产或行政机关责令关闭、吊销营业执照、吊销设立许可或撤销公司设立登记的除外)。

24. When a foreign-invested company establishes or closes down a branch, it shall apply for registration directly to the foreign-invested company registry of the place where the branch is located without passing through its original company registry.

二十四、      外商投资的公司设立或撤销分公司,无须原公司登记机关核转,直接向分公司所在地的外商投资的公司登记机关申请登记。

If, pursuant to laws, administrative regulations, a decision of the State Council or special state provisions on foreign investment in projects in the restricted category or on the trade in services sector, the establishment or closing down of a branch requires the approval of the relevant departments, the registration application shall be made within 30 days of the approval date. If the application is made late, the applicant shall report to the original examination and approval authority for confirmation of the validity of its document or carry out examination and approval procedures anew.

      根据法律、行政法规、国务院决定或者国家有关外商投资限制类项目以及服务贸易领域的专项规定,设立和撤销分公司需经有关部门批准的,应当自批准之日起30日内申请登记。逾期申请的,申请人应当报原审批机关确认文件效力或者另行报批。

25. Company registries shall no longer carry out registration procedures for the offices of foreign-invested companies. Procedures for the amendment of the registration or the renewal of the term of offices that have previously been registered shall no longer be carried out. Upon expiration of their terms, they shall either carry out de-registration procedures or, as required, apply for establishment as a branch. The branches of a foreign-invested company may engage in liaison, consulting and other such business within the scope of business of the company.

二十五、      公司登记机关不再办理外商投资的公司办事机构的登记。原已登记的办事机构,不再办理变更或者延期手续。期限届满以后,应当办理注销登记或根据需要申请设立分公司。外商投资的公司的分公司可以从事公司经营范围内的联络、咨询等业务。

Company registries shall investigate and handle business activities engaged in ostensibly as an office.

      以办事机构名义从事经营活动的,由公司登记机关依法查处。

26. If a shareholder or promoter of a foreign-invested company fails to make or fails to make on time its cash capital contribution or capital contribution in the form of non-monetary property, the company registry shall impose penalties in accordance with the applicable principles of the Provisions for the Administration of Registration of the Registered Capital of Companies. For companies established prior to January 1 2006, the capital contribution deadlines applicable at the time of the registration of their establishment shall prevail.

二十六、      外商投资的公司的股东、发起人未交付或者未按期交付作为出资的货币或者非货币财产的,由公司登记机关按照《公司注册资本登记管理规定》的适用原则实施处罚。2006年1月1日以前设立的公司,其出资时间以设立登记时为准。

If a shareholder in a Sino-foreign cooperative joint venture company fails to perform its capital contribution obligation on schedule, the company registry shall order it to perform such obligation within a specified period of time in accordance with Article 9 of the Sino-foreign Cooperative Joint Venture Law. If it still fails to perform its obligation, the matter shall be handled in accordance with the first paragraph of this Article. If a shareholder in a wholly foreign-owned equity joint venture or wholly owned foreign-invested company fails to make payment on schedule, the company registry may, in addition to handling the matter in accordance with the first paragraph of this Article, revoke the company's business licence in accordance with Article 9 of the Wholly Foreign-owned Enterprise Law.

      对于中外合作的公司,逾期不履行出资义务的,按照《中外合作经营企业法》第九条规定,由公司登记机关责令其限期履行;逾期仍不履行的,按本条第一款处理;对于外商合资或外商独资的公司,逾期不缴付的,公司登记机关除了按本条第一款处理,还可以按照《外资企业法》第九条规定,吊销其营业执照。

27. If a foreign-invested company exceeds its approved scope of business to engage in business activities in the encouraged or permitted categories of the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue without authorization, the company registry shall apply Article 73 of the Registration Regulations in imposing penalties.

二十七、      外商投资的公司超出核准登记的经营范围,擅自从事《外商投资产业指导目录》鼓励类、允许类项目经营活动的,公司登记机关适用《公司登记管理条例》第七十三条规定处罚。

If a foreign-invested company exceeds its approved scope of business to engage in business activities in the restricted or prohibited categories of the Foreign Investment Industrial Guidance Catalogue without authorization, the company registry may determine that it has "operated in violation of the law by exceeding its approved and registered scope of business in engaging, without authorization, in business activities that may only be engaged in after obtaining a permit or other approval document", and apply the Measures for Investigating, Handling and Shutting Down Unlicensed Business Operations in imposing penalties. If a criminal offence is established, the company's criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law.

      外商投资的公司超出核准登记的经营范围,擅自从事《外商投资产业指导目录》限制类、禁止类项目经营活动的,公司登记机关可以认定为“超出核准登记的经营范围,擅自从事应当取得许可証或者其他批准文件方可从事的经营活动的违法经营行为”,适用《无照经营查处取缔办法》的规定予以处罚。构成犯罪的,依法追究其刑事责任。

28. The administration of the examination, approval and registration of companies invested in and established by investors from Taiwan, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Macao Special Administrative Region, Chinese citizens resident abroad (overseas Chinese), as well as foreign-invested investment companies and companies invested in and established by foreign-invested venture investment companies shall, mutatis mutandis, be governed in accordance with these Opinions.

clp reference:2300/06.04.24prc reference:工商外企字 [2006] 81号promulgated:2006-04-24

二十八、      台湾地区、香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区的投资者、定居在国外的中国公民(华侨)投资设立的公司,以及外商投资的投资性公司、外商投资的创业投资公司投资设立的公司,其审批登记管理参照适用本意见。

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