PROVISIONS ON ADMINISTRATION OF FOREIGN INVESTMENT IN INTERNATIONAL MARITIME TRANSPORTATION (来源：英语杂志 http://www.EnglishCN.com)

(Promulgated by Decree No. 1 of the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Commerce on March 2nd, 2004, and effective as of June 1st, 2004)

Article 1 These Provisions are formulated in accordance with the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on International Maritime Transportation (hereinafter referred to as the Maritime Transportation Regulations) and the relevant laws and administrative regulations of the People’s Republic of China on foreign investment, for the purposes of regulating the establishment of foreign-funded enterprises by foreign investors to engage in international maritime transportation business and auxiliary business relating thereto and safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of Chinese and foreign investors.

Article 2 These Provisions are applicable to the investment in and operation of international maritime transportation business and auxiliary businesses relating thereto (hereinafter referred to as international maritime transportation) by foreign investors within the territory of China.

Article 3 The Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China as well as their authorized agencies are responsible for the approval and administration of the establishment of foreign-funded enterprises within the territory of the People’s Republic of China by foreign investors to engage in international maritime transportation.

Article 4 With the approval of the Ministry of Communications and the Ministry of Commerce, a foreign investor may invest in and operate international maritime transportation in the following forms:

(1) to establish a Chinese-foreign equity joint venture or a Chinese-foreign contractual joint venture to engage in international shipping services, international shipping agency services, international ship management services, loading and unloading of international shipments and international maritime container freight station and container yard services;

(2) to establish a Chinese-foreign equity joint venture, a Chinese-foreign contractual joint venture or a wholly foreign-owned enterprise to engage in international maritime cargo warehousing services;

(3) to establish a Chinese-foreign equity joint venture, a Chinese-foreign contractual joint venture or a wholly foreign-owned enterprise to offer routine services for the vessels owned or operated by the investor.

Article 5 A foreign-funded international shipping enterprise to be established shall meet the following conditions:

(1) having vessels suitable for employment in international maritime transportation, among which there must be vessels of Chinese nationality;

(2) vessels under employment shall be in compliance with the technical standards for maritime traffic safety as set forth by the State;

(3) having bills of lading, passenger tickets or multimodal transportation documents;

(4) having senior executives with the professional qualifications as set forth by the Ministry of Communications;

(5) in case of establishing a Chinese-foreign equity joint venture or a Chinese-foreign contractual joint venture, the proportion of investment made by foreign investors shall not exceed 49%;

(6) the chairperson of the board of directors and the general manager shall be appointed by the Chinese side after consultation between the both sides;

(7) other conditions specified by laws or administrative regulations.

Article 6 Where anyone is to establish a foreign-funded enterprise to engage in international shipping services, it shall firstly make an application to the Ministry of Communications in accordance with the provisions of the Maritime Transportation Regulations and the Implementing Rules of the Regulations of the People’s Republic of China on International Maritime Transportation (hereinafter referred to as the Implementing Rules of the Maritime Transportation Regulations); if such application is approved by the Ministry of Communications, the applicant shall, in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations on foreign investment of the State and on the strength of the approval document issued by the Ministry of Communications, go through the approval procedures for establishing a foreign-funded enterprise with the Ministry of Commerce by submitting the documents specified in Article 15 of these Provisions and obtain the Approval Certificate for Foreign-funded Enterprise.

The applicant shall, by presenting the approval document issued by the Ministry of Communications, the Approval Certificate for Foreign-funded Enterprise issued by the Ministry of Commerce and other relevant documents, go through the industrial and commercial registration formalities with the administrative department for industry and commerce according to law and obtain the business license.

After the establishment of a foreign-funded international shipping enterprise, the applicant shall, by presenting the business license issued by the administrative department for industry and commerce, apply to the Ministry of Communications for obtaining the Permit for Operation of International Shipping Services. Only those that have obtained such Permit may engage international shipping services.

Article 7 A foreign-funded international shipping agency enterprise to be established shall meet the following conditions:

(1) having at least two senior executives with no less than three years’ experience in international maritime transportation business operations. The term “senior executives” refers to Chinese citizens who have secondary or higher technical or academic titles and serve as department managers or above in enterprises engaging in international maritime transportation business or the auxiliary business relating thereto;

(2) having a fixed place of business and necessary business facilities, including the ability to have electronic data interchange (EDI) with ports, the Customs and other departments;

(3) in case of establishing a Chinese-foreign equity joint venture or a Chinese-foreign contractual joint venture, the proportion of investment made by foreign investors shall not exceed 49%;

(4) other conditions specified by laws or administrative regulations.

Article 8 Where anyone is to establish a foreign-funded enterprise to engage in international shipping agency services, it shall firstly make an application to the Ministry of Communications in accordance with the provisions of the Maritime Transportation Regulations and the Implementing Rules of the Maritime Transportation Regulations; if such application is approved by the Ministry of Communications, the applicant shall, in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations on foreign investment of the State and on the strength of the approval document issued by the Ministry of Communications, go through the approval procedures for establishing a foreign-funded enterprise with the Ministry of Commerce by submitting the documents specified in Article 15 of these Provisions and obtain the Approval Certificate for Foreign-funded Enterprise.