有关外国企业常驻代表机构登记、审批、管理的法律规范汇总

外国企业常驻代表机构登记管理条例

中华人民共和国国务院令

第584号

　　《外国企业常驻代表机构登记管理条例》已经2010年11月10日国务院第132次常务会议通过，现予公布，自2011年3月1日起施行。

　　                                              总理　 温家宝

　                                            　二○一○年十一月十九日

第一章 　总　则

　　第一条　为了规范外国企业常驻代表机构的设立及其业务活动，制定本条例。

　　第二条　本条例所称外国企业常驻代表机构（以下简称代表机构），是指外国企业依照本条例规定，在中国境内设立的从事与该外国企业业务有关的非营利性活动的办事机构。代表机构不具有法人资格。

　　第三条　代表机构应当遵守中国法律，不得损害中国国家安全和社会公共利益。

　　第四条　代表机构设立、变更、终止，应当依照本条例规定办理登记。

　　外国企业申请办理代表机构登记，应当对申请文件、材料的真实性负责。

　　第五条　国家工商行政管理总局及其授权的地方工商行政管理局是代表机构的登记和管理机关(以下简称登记机关)。

　　登记机关应当与其他有关部门建立信息共享机制，相互提供有关代表机构的信息。

　　第六条　代表机构应当于每年3月1日至6月30日向登记机关提交年度报告。年度报告的内容包括外国企业的合法存续情况、代表机构的业务活动开展情况及其经会计师事务所审计的费用收支情况等相关情况。

　　第七条　代表机构应当依法设置会计账簿，真实记载外国企业经费拨付和代表机构费用收支情况，并置于代表机构驻在场所。

　　代表机构不得使用其他企业、组织或者个人的账户。

第八条　外国企业委派的首席代表、代表以及代表机构的工作人员应当遵守法律、行政法规关于出入境、居留、就业、纳税、外汇登记等规定；违反规定的，由有关部门依照法律、行政法规的相关规定予以处理。

第二章　登记事项

　　第九条　代表机构的登记事项包括：代表机构名称、首席代表姓名、业务范围、驻在场所、驻在期限、外国企业名称及其住所。

　　第十条　代表机构名称应当由以下部分依次组成：外国企业国籍、外国企业中文名称、驻在城市名称以及“代表处”字样，并不得含有下列内容和文字：

　　（一）有损于中国国家安全或者社会公共利益的；

　　（二）国际组织名称；

　　（三）法律、行政法规或者国务院规定禁止的。

　　代表机构应当以登记机关登记的名称从事业务活动。

　　第十一条　外国企业应当委派一名首席代表。首席代表在外国企业书面授权范围内，可以代表外国企业签署代表机构登记申请文件。

　　外国企业可以根据业务需要，委派1至3名代表。

　　第十二条　有下列情形之一的，不得担任首席代表、代表：

　　（一）因损害中国国家安全或者社会公共利益，被判处刑罚的；

　　（二）因从事损害中国国家安全或者社会公共利益等违法活动，依法被撤销设立登记、吊销登记证或者被有关部门依法责令关闭的代表机构的首席代表、代表，自被撤销、吊销或者责令关闭之日起未逾5年的；

　　（三）国家工商行政管理总局规定的其他情形。

　　第十三条　代表机构不得从事营利性活动。

　　中国缔结或者参加的国际条约、协定另有规定的，从其规定，但是中国声明保留的条款除外。

　　第十四条　代表机构可以从事与外国企业业务有关的下列活动：

　　（一）与外国企业产品或者服务有关的市场调查、展示、宣传活动；

　　（二）与外国企业产品销售、服务提供、境内采购、境内投资有关的联络活动。

　　法律、行政法规或者国务院规定代表机构从事前款规定的业务活动须经批准的，应当取得批准。

　　第十五条　代表机构的驻在场所由外国企业自行选择。

　　根据国家安全和社会公共利益需要，有关部门可以要求代表机构调整驻在场所，并及时通知登记机关。

　　第十六条　代表机构的驻在期限不得超过外国企业的存续期限。

　　第十七条　登记机关应当将代表机构登记事项记载于代表机构登记簿，供社会公众查阅、复制。

　　第十八条　代表机构应当将登记机关颁发的外国企业常驻代表机构登记证（以下简称登记证）置于代表机构驻在场所的显著位置。

　　第十九条　任何单位和个人不得伪造、涂改、出租、出借、转让登记证和首席代表、代表的代表证（以下简称代表证）。

　　登记证和代表证遗失或者毁坏的，代表机构应当在指定的媒体上声明作废，申请补领。

　　登记机关依法作出准予变更登记、准予注销登记、撤销变更登记、吊销登记证决定的，代表机构原登记证和原首席代表、代表的代表证自动失效。

　　第二十条　代表机构设立、变更，外国企业应当在登记机关指定的媒体上向社会公告。

　　代表机构注销或者被依法撤销设立登记、吊销登记证的，由登记机关进行公告。

　　第二十一条　登记机关对代表机构涉嫌违反本条例的行为进行查处，可以依法行使下列职权：

　　（一）向有关的单位和个人调查、了解情况；

　　（二）查阅、复制、查封、扣押与违法行为有关的合同、票据、账簿以及其他资料；

　　（三）查封、扣押专门用于从事违法行为的工具、设备、原材料、产品（商品）等财物；

（四）查询从事违法行为的代表机构的账户以及与存款有关的会计凭证、账簿、对账单等。

第三章 　设立登记

　　第二十二条　设立代表机构应当向登记机关申请设立登记。

　　第二十三条　外国企业申请设立代表机构，应当向登记机关提交下列文件、材料：

　　（一）代表机构设立登记申请书；

　　（二）外国企业住所证明和存续2年以上的合法营业证明；

　　（三）外国企业章程或者组织协议；

　　（四）外国企业对首席代表、代表的任命文件；

　　（五）首席代表、代表的身份证明和简历；

　　（六）同外国企业有业务往来的金融机构出具的资金信用证明；

　　（七）代表机构驻在场所的合法使用证明。

　　法律、行政法规或者国务院规定设立代表机构须经批准的，外国企业应当自批准之日起90日内向登记机关申请设立登记，并提交有关批准文件。

　　中国缔结或者参加的国际条约、协定规定可以设立从事营利性活动的代表机构的，还应当依照法律、行政法规或者国务院规定提交相应文件。

　　第二十四条　登记机关应当自受理申请之日起15日内作出是否准予登记的决定，作出决定前可以根据需要征求有关部门的意见。作出准予登记决定的，应当自作出决定之日起5日内向申请人颁发登记证和代表证；作出不予登记决定的，应当自作出决定之日起5日内向申请人出具登记驳回通知书，说明不予登记的理由。

　　登记证签发日期为代表机构成立日期。

第二十五条　代表机构、首席代表和代表凭登记证、代表证申请办理居留、就业、纳税、外汇登记等有关手续。

第四章 　变更登记

　　第二十六条　代表机构登记事项发生变更，外国企业应当向登记机关申请变更登记。

　　第二十七条　变更登记事项的，应当自登记事项发生变更之日起60日内申请变更登记。

变更登记事项依照法律、行政法规或者国务院规定在登记前须经批准的，应当自批准之日起30日内申请变更登记。

　　第二十八条　代表机构驻在期限届满后继续从事业务活动的，外国企业应当在驻在期限届满前60日内向登记机关申请变更登记。

　　第二十九条　申请代表机构变更登记，应当提交代表机构变更登记申请书以及国家工商行政管理总局规定提交的相关文件。

　　变更登记事项依照法律、行政法规或者国务院规定在登记前须经批准的，还应当提交有关批准文件。

　　第三十条　登记机关应当自受理申请之日起10日内作出是否准予变更登记的决定。作出准予变更登记决定的，应当自作出决定之日起5日内换发登记证和代表证；作出不予变更登记决定的，应当自作出决定之日起5日内向申请人出具变更登记驳回通知书，说明不予变更登记的理由。

第三十一条　外国企业的有权签字人、企业责任形式、资本（资产）、经营范围以及代表发生变更的，外国企业应当自上述事项发生变更之日起60日内向登记机关备案。

第五章 　注销登记

　　第三十二条　有下列情形之一的，外国企业应当在下列事项发生之日起60日内向登记机关申请注销登记：

　　（一）外国企业撤销代表机构；

　　（二）代表机构驻在期限届满不再继续从事业务活动；

　　（三）外国企业终止；

　　（四）代表机构依法被撤销批准或者责令关闭。

　　第三十三条　外国企业申请代表机构注销登记，应当向登记机关提交下列文件：

　　（一）代表机构注销登记申请书；

　　（二）代表机构税务登记注销证明；

　　（三）海关、外汇部门出具的相关事宜已清理完结或者该代表机构未办理相关手续的证明；

　　（四）国家工商行政管理总局规定提交的其他文件。

　　法律、行政法规或者国务院规定代表机构终止活动须经批准的，还应当提交有关批准文件。

第三十四条　登记机关应当自受理申请之日起10日内作出是否准予注销登记的决定。作出准予注销决定的，应当自作出决定之日起5日内出具准予注销通知书，收缴登记证和代表证；作出不予注销登记决定的，应当自作出决定之日起5日内向申请人出具注销登记驳回通知书，说明不予注销登记的理由。

第六章 　法律责任

　　第三十五条　未经登记，擅自设立代表机构或者从事代表机构业务活动的，由登记机关责令停止活动，处以5万元以上20万元以下的罚款。

　　代表机构违反本条例规定从事营利性活动的，由登记机关责令改正，没收违法所得，没收专门用于从事营利性活动的工具、设备、原材料、产品（商品）等财物，处以5万元以上50万元以下罚款；情节严重的，吊销登记证。

　　第三十六条　提交虚假材料或者采取其他欺诈手段隐瞒真实情况，取得代表机构登记或者备案的，由登记机关责令改正，对代表机构处以2万元以上20万元以下的罚款，对直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员处以1000元以上1万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，由登记机关撤销登记或者吊销登记证，缴销代表证。

　　代表机构提交的年度报告隐瞒真实情况、弄虚作假的，由登记机关责令改正，对代表机构处以2万元以上20万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，吊销登记证。

　　伪造、涂改、出租、出借、转让登记证、代表证的，由登记机关对代表机构处以1万元以上10万元以下的罚款；对直接负责的主管人员和其他直接责任人员处以1000元以上1万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，吊销登记证，缴销代表证。

　　第三十七条　代表机构违反本条例第十四条规定从事业务活动以外活动的，由登记机关责令限期改正；逾期未改正的，处以1万元以上10万元以下的罚款；情节严重的，吊销登记证。

　　第三十八条　有下列情形之一的，由登记机关责令限期改正，处以1万元以上3万元以下的罚款；逾期未改正的，吊销登记证：

　　（一）未依照本条例规定提交年度报告的；

　　（二）未按照登记机关登记的名称从事业务活动的；

　　（三）未按照中国政府有关部门要求调整驻在场所的；

　　（四）未依照本条例规定公告其设立、变更情况的；

　　（五）未依照本条例规定办理有关变更登记、注销登记或者备案的。

　　第三十九条　代表机构从事危害中国国家安全或者社会公共利益等严重违法活动的，由登记机关吊销登记证。

　　代表机构违反本条例规定被撤销设立登记、吊销登记证，或者被中国政府有关部门依法责令关闭的，自被撤销、吊销或者责令关闭之日起5年内，设立该代表机构的外国企业不得在中国境内设立代表机构。

　　第四十条　登记机关及其工作人员滥用职权、玩忽职守、徇私舞弊，未依照本条例规定办理登记、查处违法行为，或者支持、包庇、纵容违法行为的，依法给予处分。

第四十一条　违反本条例规定，构成违反治安管理行为的，依照《中华人民共和国治安管理处罚法》的规定予以处罚；构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。

第七章　 附　则

　　第四十二条　本条例所称外国企业，是指依照外国法律在中国境外设立的营利性组织。

　　第四十三条　代表机构登记的收费项目依照国务院财政部门、价格主管部门的有关规定执行，代表机构登记的收费标准依照国务院价格主管部门、财政部门的有关规定执行。

　　第四十四条　香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区和台湾地区企业在中国境内设立代表机构的，参照本条例规定进行登记管理。

　　第四十五条　本条例自2011年3月1日起施行。1983年3月5日经国务院批准，1983年3月15日原国家工商行政管理局发布的《关于外国企业常驻代表机构登记管理办法》同时废止。　

关于审批和管理外国企业在华常驻代表机构的实施细则(附英文)

（　1995年2月13日，中华人民共和国对外贸易经济合作部）

第一章 总 则

　　第一条 为发展我国的对外贸易，促进国际间经济技术合作，加强对外国公司、企业和其他经济组织在中华人民共和国境内设立的常驻代表机构的管理，根据中华人民共和国国务院1980年10月30日发布的《关于管理外国企业常驻代表机构的暂行规定》，特制定本实施细则。

　　第二条 本实施细则适用于外国贸易商、制造厂商、货运代理商、承包商、咨询公司、广告公司、投资公司、租赁公司和其他经济贸易组织（以下简称外国企业）在中华人民共和国境内设立常驻代表机构。

　　第三条 外国企业申请在中华人民共和国境内设立常驻代表机构，必须经中华人民共和国对外贸易经济合作部或其授权的各省、自治区、直辖市及计划单列市对外经济贸易委员会（厅）（以下简称审批机关）批准，并在中华人民共和国国家工商行政管理局或其授权的各省、自治区、直

　　辖市及计划单列市工商行政管理局（以下简称登记机关）办理登记手续。

　　第四条 外国企业常驻代表机构可以在中华人民共和国境内从事非直接经营性活动，代表该企业进行其经营范围内的业务联络、产品介绍、市场调研、技术交流等业务活动。

　　第五条 外国企业未经批准和登记不得在中华人民共和国境内设立常驻代表机构，不得开展本实施细则允许从事的各项业务活动。

　　第六条 外国企业常驻代表机构及其成员必须遵守中华人民共和国的法律和法规，不得损害中华人民共和国安全和社会公共利益。

　　第七条 外国企业常驻代表机构及其成员，在本实施细则范围内从事的各项业务活动，受中华人民共和国法律的保护。

　　第八条 外国企业申请设立常驻代表机构的基本条件：

　　一、该外国企业必须在所在国合法注册；

　　二、该外国企业必须具有良好的商业信誉；

　　三、该外国企业必须提供真实可靠的本实施细则规定的各类材料；

　　四、该外国企业必须按照本实施细则的规定办理申报手续。

第二章 设立、延期、变更和终止

　　第九条 外国企业申请在中华人民共和国境内设立常驻代表机构，须向审批机关提出书面申请，审批机关对其申请进行审查，在30个工作日内作出批准或不予批准的决定，并及时通知该外国企业。

　　第十条 外国企业申请设立常驻代表机构必须委托一家经中华人民共和国政府主管部门批准的、享有对外经济贸易经营权的公司或经审批机关认可的对外经济贸易组织和外事服务单位作为承办单位，由承办单位代外国企业向审批机关报送各类材料，办理申报手续。

　　第十一条 由中华人民共和国各部委所属公司、对外经济贸易组织和外事服务单位承办的外国企业常驻代表机构报对外贸易经济合作部审批；由各省、自治区、直辖市及计划单列市所属公司、对外经济贸易组织和外事服务单位承办的外国企业常驻代表机构报各省、自治区、直辖市及计

　　划单列市对外经济贸易委员会（厅）审批。

　　第十二条 外国企业申请设立常驻代表机构，须向审批机关提供下列材料：

　　一、由该企业董事长或总经理签署的申请书，内容包括：该企业简况、设立常驻代表机构的目的、常驻代表机构的名称、派驻人员（首席代表、代表）、业务范围、驻在期限、办公地址等；

　　二、由该企业所在国的有关当局出具的开业合法证书（副本）；

　　三、由同该企业有业务往来的银行出具的资本信用证明书（正本）；

　　四、由该企业董事长或总经理签署的委任常驻代表机构首席代表和代表的授权书、首席代表和代表的简历及身份证件（复印件）。如董事长任首席代表或代表，其授权书必须由该企业董事会两名以上董事签署。不设董事会的企业可由执行董事签署有关文件；

　　五、填写《外国企业常驻代表机构设立申报表》和《外国企业常驻代表机构人员申报表》（样表见附件一、二）；

　　六、审批机关认为有必要提供的其他申报材料。

　　第十三条 外国企业常驻代表机构的名称应以"国别＋企业名称＋城市名＋代表处"的方式确定。

　　第十四条 外国企业设立常驻代表机构的申请获得批准后，由常驻代表机构的首席代表向审批机关领取批准证书，并在批准之日起的30天内，持批准证书到登记机关办理登记手续。逾期不办理登记手续的，批准证书自行失效，由审批机关收回批准证书。

　　第十五条 外国企业设立常驻代表机构的申请获得批准和办理登记手续后，外国企业常驻代表机构必须在30天内持批准证书、登记证和代表证到公安机关、税务机关、海关、银行等部门办理有关手续。

　　第十六条 外国企业常驻代表机构一次批准的最长期限为3年，驻在期自审批机关颁发批准证书之日起算，驻在期满如需延期，外国企业须提前60天通过原承办单位向审批机关提出申请，办理延期手续。

　　第十七条 外国企业常驻代表机构申请延期，须向审批机关提供下列材料：

　　一、由该企业董事长或总经理签署的延期申请书；

　　二、该企业常驻代表机构前一个驻在期内的业务活动报告；

　　三、同该企业有业务往来的银行出具的资本信用证明书（正本）；

　　四、该企业所在国有关当局出具的开业合法证书（副本）；

　　五、该企业常驻代表机构的批准证书及登记证复印件；

　　六、填写《外国企业常驻代表机构延期申报表》（样表见附件三）。

　　第十八条 外国企业常驻代表机构的延期申请获得批准后，由审批机关颁发延期批准证书，外国企业常驻代表机构于批准后30天内持延期批准证书到登记机关办理延期登记手续及公安、税务、海关、银行等有关手续。

　　第十九条 外国企业要求变更常驻代表机构的名称，更换或增加首席代表或代表，变更常驻机构的业务范围、驻在期限和办公地址，须通过原承办单位向原审批机关提交由该企业董事长或总经理签署的申请书（变更办公地址的申请书可由首席代表签署）及与变更相关的材料，并填写《

　　外国企业常驻代表机构变更申报表》（样表见附件四）。变更申请获得批准后，外国企业常驻代表机构必须在30天内持变更批准证书向原登记机关办理变更登记手续及公安、税务、海关、银行等有关手续。

　　第二十条 外国企业常驻代表机构驻在期限届满或者提前终止业务活动，外国企业申请撤销其常驻机构，应在终止前30天，由该企业董事长或总经理签署撤销申请书，通过原承办单位报告原审批机关备案，并于清理债务、税务和其他有关事宜后，办理工商登记、长期居留及海关备案

　　等注销手续。

　　第二十一条 外国企业常驻代表机构设立、延期、变更和撤销的申请书和首席代表、代表的授权书应用中文书写；如用其他文字书写，必须附中文译本。其他申报材料如用中文以外的文字书写，必须附中文译本。

　　第二十二条 审批机关在必要时有权要求就外国企业设立常驻代表机构的全部或部分申报材料经所在国公证机关公证，并经中华人民共和国驻该国使领馆认证。

第三章 管 理

　　第二十三条 中华人民共和国对外贸易经济合作部及其授权的各省、自治区、直辖市及计划单列市对外经济贸易委员会（厅）依照中华人民共和国国务院1980年10月30日发布的《关于管理外国企业常驻代表机构的暂行规定》和本实施细则以及有关法律、法规，会同各有关部门

　　对外国企业常驻代表机构的业务活动进行管理、监督和检查。

　　第二十四条 外国企业常驻代表机构及其成员在出入境、居留、工商、税务、海关、外汇管理、聘请工作人员、租房以及其他方面的一切活动应当依照中华人民共和国的法律和法规进行，并接受中华人民共和国政府各有关主管机关的管理、监督和检查。

　　第二十五条 外国企业常驻代表机构进口用于在其办公场所内展示的展品，应向原审批机关提出申请并附进口展品清单，经批准后持批准文件和进口展品清单报请所在地海关核准具体品种和数量。海关按《中华人民共和国海关对暂时进口货物监管办法》和《中华人民共和国海关关于进

　　出口货物申请担保的管理办法》的规定，收取与税款等值的保证金后查验放行。展品在担保期限内须受海关监管，不得出售、转让或赠送。展品自进境之日起，6个月内须复运出境，逾期未能复运出境的，海关按有关规定处理。

　　第二十六条 外国企业对其设立的常驻代表机构在中华人民共和国境内的一切业务活动承担法律责任。

　　第二十七条 各省、自治区、直辖市及计划单列市对外经济贸易委员会（厅），须于每年1月和7月将其批准设立的外国企业常驻代表机构汇总报对外贸易经济合作部备案。

　　第二十八条 对外贸易经济合作部及其授权的各省、自治区、直辖市及计划单列市对外经济贸易委员会（厅）对违反中华人民共和国法律、法规和本实施细则规定的外国企业常驻代表机构，根据情节轻重，可给予警告、责令暂停业务直至撤销批准的处分。

第四章 首席代表和代表资格

　　第二十九条 外国企业常驻代表机构的首席代表和代表必须具

备下列资格：

　　一、持合法普通护照的外国公民（不含外国在中国的留学生）；

　　二、在境外已经获得外国长期居住资格的中国公民；

　　三、持有效证件的港澳同胞、台湾同胞；

　　四、外国企业聘请中国公民（不含本条第二款所指中国公民）任其常驻代表机构的首席代表或代表，必须委托当地外事服务单位或中华人民共和国政府指定的其他单位，根据中华人民共和国有关法律和法规办理申报手续。

第五章 附 则

　　第三十条 外国企业申请在中华人民共和国委派常驻代表，比照本实施细则执行。

　　第三十一条 本实施细则未尽事宜，应根据中华人民共和国有关法律和法规办理。

　　第三十二条 台湾、香港和澳门地区的企业申请在大陆设立常驻代表机构参照本实施细则执行。

　　第三十三条 本实施细则由中华人民共和国对外贸易经济合作部负责解释。

　　第三十四条 本实施细则自公布之日起施行。1992年8月11日《关于审批外国港澳企业常驻代表机构有关问题的规定》〔1992外经贸管发第272号〕同时废止。

　　Detailed Rules of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Co-operation for the Implementation of the Examination-Approval and Adminis-tration of the Resident Representative offices of Foreign Enterprises inChina

　　(Promulgated on February 13, 1995)

　　Whole document

　　Detailed Rules of the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation

　　for the Implementation of the Examination-Approval and Administration

　　of the Resident Representative offices of Foreign Enterprises in China

　　(Promulgated on February 13, 1995)

　　Chapter 1 General Principles

　　Article 1

　　With a view to developing China's foreign trade, promoting international economic cooperation and fortifying the administration of the resident representative offices of foreign companies, enterprises and other economic entitles in the People's Republic of China, the present Detailed Rules are formulated in accordance with the Interim Provisions Concerning the Administration of the Resident Representative Offices in China of Foreign Enterprises, which were promulgated by the State Council of the People's Republic of China on October 30, 1980.

　　Article 2

　　These Detailed Rules shall apply to the resident representative offices set up within the territory of the People's Republic of China by foreign traders, manufacturers, shipping agents, contractors, consultant companies, advertising agencies, investment companies, leasing companies and other economic entities (hereinafter called "foreign enterprises").

　　Article 3

　　A foreign enterprise which applies for the establishment of its resident representative office in the territory of the People's Republic of China shall, upon approval by the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation or its authorized commissions for foreign trade and economic relations (hereinafter called the "examination-approval authorities") of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and of cities with separate listing in the state plan, register with the State A, dministration for Industry and Commerce or its authorized administrations for industry and commerce (hereinafter called the "registration authorities") of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and of the cities with separate listing in the state plan.

　　Article 4

　　The resident representative office of a foreign enterprise may, on its behalf and within its business scope, be engaged in such indirect business activities as business liaison, products recommendation, market research, technological exchange, etc. in the territory of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 5

　　Without prior approval and registration, no foreign enterprise shall have its resident representative office or be engaged in any of the business activities set forth in these Rules in the territory of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 6

　　The resident representative office and its staff members of a foreign enterprise shall abide by the laws and regulations of, and shall not injure the national security and social public interests of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 7

　　The business activities conducted by the resident representative office and its staff members of a foreign enterprise pursuant to these Rules shall be prot

ected by law of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 8

　　The essential conditions and requirements for a foreign enterprise to apply for the establishment of a resident representative office are as follows:

　　(1) the enterprise must be legally registered in the country where it is located;

　　(2) the enterprise must enjoy a good commercial reputation;

　　(3) the enterprise must provide the authentic and reliable materials and documents required by these Rules; and

　　(4) the enterprise must go through the registration and application procedures as provided for in these Rules.

　　Chapter 2 Establishment, Extension, Alteration and Termination

　　Article 9

　　A foreign enterprise which applies for the establishment of a resident representative office in the territory of the People's Republic of China shall submit to the examination and approval authorities a written application. The examination and approval authorities shall, within thirty (30) working days, decide whether to approve or disapprove it, and inform the foreign enterprise in due course.

　　Article 10

　　A foreign enterprise which applies for the establishment of a resident representative office
shall commission as its undertaking agency a company which is approved by the competent authorities of the People's Republic of China and enjoys the right of foreign trade operation, or a foreign economic relations and trade entity or a service unit for foreigners recognized by the examination and approval authorities to submit, on its behalf, to the examination and approval authorities all the documents and materials and go through the application and registration procedures.

　　Article 11

　　Applications for the establishment of resident representative offices undertaken by the companies, foreign economic relations and trade entities, services units for foreigners directly under the ministries and commissions of the State Council shall be submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation for examination and approval; those undertaken by the companies, foreign economic relations and trade entities, service units for foreigners of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities with separate listing in the state plan shall be submitted to the local commissions (offices) for foreign economic relations and trade at the same level for examination and approval.

　　Article 12

　　A foreign enterprise which applies for the establishment of a resident representative office shall submit to the examination and approval authorities the following documents:

　　(1) an application signed by chairman of the board of directors or general manager of the enterprise with the inclusion of: a brief introduction of the enterprise, purpose of such establishment, and the name, personnel accredited (chief representative and representatives), scope of business, residence period, office location, etc. of the resident representative office;

　　(2) a certificate of legal operation (transcript) issued by the competent authority of the country where the enterprise is located;

　　(3) a certificate of credit (original) issued by a bank which has business relations with the enterprise;

　　(4) letters of authorization signed by the chairman of the board of directors or general manager of the enterprise for commissioning the chief representative and representative(s) of the resident representative office, and resumes of the chief representative and representatives and their identity cards (duplicate). If the chairman of the board of directors is appointed as the chief representative or representative, the letter of authorization shall be signed by no less than two members of the board of directors of the enterprise. In case there is no board of directors in the enterprise, relevant papers shall be signed b

y the executive director;

　　(5) a completed Application Form for the Establishment of Resident Representative Office of Foreign Enterprises and a completed Application Form for the Staff Members of Resident Representative Offices of Foreign Enterprises; and

　　(6) other application materials which the examination and approval authorities deem necessary.

　　Article 13

　　The resident representative office of a foreign enterprise shall be named in the form of Name of Origin Country + Name of Enterprise + Name of City + Representative Office.

　　Article 14

　　After the enterprise acquires the approval for establishment of a resident representative office, the chief representative of the office shall, within thirty days from the date of receipt of the approval, register with the registration authorities by producing the certificate of approval. In case of failure to go through the registration formalities within the time limit, the certificate of approval shall be invalid automatically and shall be revoked by the examination and approval authorities.

　　Article 15

　　The resident representative office of a foreign enterprise shall, within thirty days after it has acquired the approval of its application and conducted its registration, go through the formalities with the public security organs, tax authorities, customs administration and banking units by presenting the certificate of approval, registration certificate and certificate of representative.

　　Article 16

　　The maximum residence period of the resident representative office of a foreign enterprise by one approval shall be not longer than three years. The residence period shall begin on the day of the issuance of the certificate of approval. Where the foreign enterprise intends to extend the period, it shall, sixty days before the expiration of the period, submit an application to the examination and approval authorities through the original undertaking agency and go through formalities for the extension.

　　Article 17

　　The resident representative office of a foreign enterprise which applies for extension shall provide the examination and approval authorities with the following documents;

　　(1) an application for extension signed by the chairman or general manager of the enterprise;

　　(2) a business report of the resident representative office during the last residence period;

　　(3) a certificate of credit (original) issued by a bank which has business relations with the enterprise;

　　(4) a certificate of legal operation (transcript) issued by the competent authority of the country where the enterprise is located;

　　(5) a duplicate certificate of approval and a certificate of registration of the resident representative office; and

　　(6) an Application Form for Extension of Resident Representative Offices of Foreign Enterprises.

　　Article 18

　　The resident representative office of a foreign enterprise which had its application for extension approved and obtained a certificate of approval for extension issued by the examination and approval authorities shall, within thirty days after receipt of the approval and by presenting such certificate, go through the formalities with the registration authorities for extension and the formalities with the public security organs, tax authorities, customs administration, banking units, etc.

　　Article 19

　　Where a foreign enterprise requests for an alteration of its name, a replacement or an addition of the chief representative or representative (s), or an alteration of the business scope, residence period or office location of its resident representative office, it shall, through the original undertaking agency, provide the original examination and approval authorities with an application for alteration signed by the chairman or general manager of the enterprise together w

ith materials relevant to such alterations, and shall fill in the Application Form for Alteration of Resident Representative Offices of Foreign Enterprises. Upon the approval, the resident representative office shall, within thirty days and by presenting the certificate of approval for alteration, go through the formalities with the registration authorities for alteration and the formalities with the public security organs, tax authorities, customs administration, banking units, etc.

　　Article 20

　　Where a foreign enterprise applies for a revocation of its resident representative office due to the expiration of the residence period or for a termination of the business operation before such expiration, an application for cancellation signed by the chairman of the board of directors or general manager of the enterprise shall, thirty days before the expiration, be submitted by the original undertaking agency to the original examination and approval authorities for record, and the formalities of cancellation pertaining to registration of industry and commerce, permanent residence and record at customs shall be gone through after the clear-ups of debts and taxes and other issues.

　　Article 21

　　The applications concerning the establishment, extension, alteration and revocation as well as the letters of authorization for the chief representative and representative (s) of the resident representative office of a foreign enterprise shall be written in the Chinese language; if done in other languages, a translation in the Chinese language shall be attached hereto. Should languages other than the Chinese language be used in other materials for application, a translation in the Chinese language shall be attached hereto.

　　Article 22

　　The examination and approval authorities shall be entitled to, when it deems necessary, require the foreign enterprise which applies for the establishment of a resident representative office to have all or part of the materials for application notarized by the notary organ of the country where the enterprise is located, and to have them certified by the Chinese embassy or consulate in the country where the enterprise is located.

　　Chapter 3 Administration

　　Article 23

　　The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the People's Republic of China and its authorized commissions (offices) for foreign economic relations and trade of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities with separate listing in the state plan shall, in accordance with the Interim Provisions Concerning the Administration of the Resident Representative Offices of Foreign Enterprises in China promulgated by the State Council of the People's Republic of China on October 30, 1980 and the present Rules as well as relevant laws and regulations and jointly with other departments concerned, conduct administration, supervision and inspection of (over) the business activities of the resident representative offices of foreign enterprises.

　　Article 24

　　Resident representative offices of foreign enterprises and their staff members shall comply with the laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China in respect of entry and exit, residence, industry and commerce, taxation, customs, foreign exchange control, employment of staff members, house-renting and other matters and be subject to the administration, supervision and inspection from the competent departments of the Chinese Government.

　　Article 25

　　Resident representative offices of foreign enterprises which import exhibits for display on their business premises shall submit to the original examination and approval authorities an application attached with a list of import exhibits, and, upon approval, report to the Customs of the cities where the offices are located for varied and quantitative verification by presenting the

approval documents. The Customs shall, in accordance with the Measures of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on Control over Imports for Temporary Purpose and the Regulations of the Customs of the People's Republic of China on the Application for Guarantees for Import and Export Goods, give check and clearance of the exhibits after collecting guaranty money equivalent to the duties.

　　Exhibits in the guaranty period shall be subject to the Customs control, and shall not be sold, transferred or granted. The exhibits shall, within six months from the day on which they were imported, be re-exported; failure to do that within the period specified, they shall be dealt with in accordance with related provisions.

　　Article 26

　　A foreign enterprise shall be responsible legally for all the business activities conducted by its resident representative office within the territory of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 27

　　The commissions (offices) for foreign economic relations and trade of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities with separate listing in the state plan shall, in every January and July, present data concerning all the resident representative offices they approved in the year to the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation for record.

　　Article 28

　　The Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation and its authorized commissions (offices) for foreign economic relations and trade of the provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and cities with separate listing in the state plan shall, depending on the seriousness of the case, impose such sanctions as disciplinary warning, suspension of business upon instruction and revocation of the approval on the resident representative offices of foreign enterprises which violate laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China and the present Rules.

　　Chapter 4 Qualifications for Chief Representative and Repre- sentative(s)

　　Article 29

　　The chief representative and representative (s) of the resident offices of foreign enterprises shall meet one of the following qualifications:

　　(1) a foreign citizen with a legitimate passport (excluding foreign students studying in China);

　　(2) a Chinese citizen who has the right of permanent residence in a foreign country;

　　(3) compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao or Taiwan with valid credentials; or

　　(4) where a Chinese citizen (excluding Chinese citizens mentioned in Item 2 of this Article) is employed as the chief representative or representative of its resident representative office, a foreign enterprise shall entrust a local service unit for foreigners or other entity designated by the Government of the People's Republic of China to process the application and report in accordance with relevant laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China.

　　Chapter 5 Supplementary Provisions

　　Article 30

　　The present Rules shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to foreign enterprises which apply for the commission of their permanent representatives in China.

　　Article 31

　　Affairs not covered in these Rules shall be dealt with in accordance with related laws and regulations of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 32

　　The present Rules shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to enterprises in Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan which apply for the establishment of their resident representative offices in the mainland areas of China.

　　Article 33

　　The authorities of interpretation of the present Rules resides in the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation of the People's Republic of China.

　　Article 34

　　The present Rules shall enter into force as of the date of their promulgation, and the provisions pertaining to Issues fo

r the Examination and Approval of Resident Representative Offices of Foreign Enterprises and of Enterprises in Hong Kong and Macao (No. 272 by Wai Jing Mao Guan) shall be abrogated on the same day 。