Newsletter
中国法律动态 (200901)
综述
2008年岁末，为降低全球金融危机对中国经济的影响，中国政府采取积极刺激经济的措施，如开放商业银行对并购的融资，推出稳定房地产市场的积极政策，放宽出口预收汇及进口延期付汇比例限制等。同时，中国政府亦在完善税制方面做出积极努力。
Overview
At the end of 2008, the Chinese government adopted several stimulus programs with a view to mitigating adverse impacts from the global financial crisis. These programs include allowing commercial banks to offer financing for Merger and Acquisition transactions, launching policies to bolster real estate markets, and easing restrictions on foreign exchange prepayment by exporters and foreign exchange deferral by importers. At the same time, the Chinese government took efforts to improve its tax system.
- 银监会允许商业银行为并购提供融资。
China Banking Regulatory Commission allowed commercial banks to offer financing for M&A transactions.
- 国税总局颁布增值税、营业税、消费税三条例实施细则，积极完善税制。
State Administration of Taxation promulgated three regulations on value-added tax, business tax and consumption tax, in order to fine-tune the tax system.
- 沪深证交所规范上市公司董事会秘书资格。
Stock exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen adopted rules on the qualification requirements for board secretaries of listed companies.
- 国家税务总局明确高新技术企业2008年度缴纳企业所得税相关问题。
State Administration of Taxation clarified issues on corporate income tax payable by high-tech enterprises for 2008.
- 国家外汇管理局规范关于服务贸易等项目对外付汇提交税务证明的要求。
State Administration of Foreign Exchange stipulated regulatory circular to require tax certificates for foreign exchange remittance of service fees, etc.
- 国务院出台政策，力促房地产市场发展。
State Council launched policies to bolster real estate markets.
- 银监会发布指引，规范银行与信托公司之间的合作。
China Banking Regulatory Commission promulgated guidelines to regulate cooperation between banks and trust companies.
- 大陆政府鼓励企业赴台湾地区投资，明确投资核准程序。
Chinese government encouraged domestic enterprises to invest in Taiwan, detailing investment approval procedures.
- 国家外汇管理局放宽出口预收汇及进口延期付汇限制。
State Administration of Foreign Exchange eased restrictions on foreign exchange prepayment for exports and deferred foreign exchange payment for imports.
- 大陆四部委联合发布关于外资非正常撤离中国的跨国追究与诉讼工作指引
Four Ministries jointly promulgated guidelines on cross-border legal actions against foreign entities unduly evacuated investments from China.
- 人大常委会通过专利法修正案。
The People's Congress passed amendments to the Patent Law.
- China Banking Regulatory Commission allows commercial banks to offer M&A financing
In 1996, the People's Bank of China promulgated the General Provisions on Loans, closing the door to leveraged buyouts in China. On December 6, 2008, the China Banking Regulatory Commission (“CBRC”) promulgated the Guidelines on Risk Management of M&A Financing by Commercial Banks (the “Guidelines”), offering qualified commercial banks new business opportunities to offer financing of Merger and Acquisition transactions.
Commercial banks are required to meet certain qualification requirements before offering M&A financing. They must have a sound risk management system established as well as an effective internal control mechanism. Their special reserve for loss in loans must be no less than 100%, their capital adequacy ratio no less than 10%, and the balance of their general reserve no less than 1% of the aggregate balance of their outstanding loans. Lastly, they must have a professional term capable of conducting due diligence investigation and risk evaluation for the M&A financing.
The Guidelines also provide rules on how commercial banks conduct comprehensive valuation of various risks related to M&A transactions, how the major issues in management and control of M&A financing should be dealt with, and what the guiding principles and supervision criteria for internal risk management should be.
继内、外资企业所得税并轨后，中国政府在2008年十一月和十二月推出一系列完善税制的举措。2008年11月5日，国务院颁布修订后的《中华人民共和国增值税暂行条例》、《中华人民共和国消费税暂行条例》和《中华人民共和国营业税暂行条例》。其中，最为显著的变化是在全国范围内全面实施增值税税制改革，由生产型增值税转为消费型增值税，即允许企业购入的机器设备所含进项税额在企业销项税额中抵扣。此举将降低生产型企业的增值税税负，从而提高其盈利的可能性。
为配合三个条例的修订，国家税务总局于2008年12月15日公布三个条例修订后的实施细则，对增值税转型改革、混合销售行为（就是一个销售行为同时涉及销售货物和非增值税应税劳务或营业税应税劳务）、境内营业税应税劳务界定、增值税小规模纳税人标准等相关重点问题做出明确规定。
此外，针对增值税改革的全面实施，国家税务总局、财政部于2008年12月19日联合发布《关于全国实施增值税转型改革若干问题的通知》。该《通知》规定，自2009年1月1日起，增值税一般纳税人购进或者自制固定资产发生的进项税额可从销项税额中抵扣；进口设备增值税免税政策和外商投资企业采购国产设备增值税退税政策停止执行。
- State Administration of Taxation actively improved the tax system by promulgating rules on value-added tax, business tax and consumption tax
Following the unification of corporate income tax for domestic and foreign-invested companies, in November and December 2008 the Chinese government launched a series of measures aiming to improve its tax system.
On November 5, 2008, the State Council promulgated amendments to the Provisional Regulations on Value-Added Tax, the Provisional Regulations on Business Tax, and the Provisional Regulations on Consumption Tax. The most significant change in these amendments is the countrywide application of the "consumption type of VAT," in place of the "production type of VAT" as initially provided in these regulations. The implementation of the "consumption type of VAT" allows an enterprise to deduct input VAT of its purchased equipment from its output VAT. The change will alleviate an enterprise's VAT liability and hence raise the possibility of its profitability.
To clarify the relevant issues in implementing these three amended regulations, the State Administration of Taxation issued the implementing rules on December 15, 2008. These implementing rules provide guidance on such major issues as the VAT reform, mixed sale (denoting to a sale transaction where products and non-VAT-leviable or business-tax-leviable services are concurrently sold), definition of onshore services subject to the business tax, and standards for small-scale VAT payers.
In addition, on December 19, 2008, the State Administration of Taxation and the Ministry of Finance jointly promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues in Country-wide Reform of Value Added Tax. According to the Circular, from January 1, 2009 onward, the input VAT of fixed assets purchased or manufactured by an ordinary VAT payer may be deducted from the output VAT, and the policy of VAT exemption for imported equipment and the policy of VAT rebate for domestically made equipment purchased by foreign-invested enterprises will cease to apply.
上海证券交易所和深圳证券交易所于2008年12月1日及3日分别出台《上海证券交易所上市公司董事会秘书资格管理办法》和《深圳证券交易所上市公司董事会秘书及证券事务代表资格管理办法》，对上市公司董事会秘书及证券事务代表的任职资格做出明确规范。两个《办法》要求，在沪深两地上市的公司聘任的董事会秘书或者证券事务代表应当通过交易所组织的考试，取得“董事会秘书资格证书”后方可担任相应职位。上述两个《办法》将于2009年1月1日起实施。
- Stock exchanges in Shanghai and Shenzhen adopted rules on qualification requirements of board secretaries of listed companies
Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange promulgated the Administrative Measures of Shanghai Stock Exchange on Qualification Requirements of Listed Company’s Board Secretary and the Administrative Measures of Shenzhen Stock Exchange on Qualification Requirements of Listed Company’s Board Secretary and Representative of Securities Related Matters, respectively. These two rules require the board secretaries and representatives of securities related matters of listed companies to have passed the exam organized by the stock exchanges and obtained the “Qualification Certificate of Board Secretary.” These two rules will come into effect on January 1, 2009.
国家税务总局2008年12月2日发布通知，对高新技术企业2008年企业所得税缴纳问题做出规定。根据该《通知》，已取得“高新技术企业证书”的企业应按15%的税率办理税款预缴；如果已取得“高新技术企业证书”的企业2008年以来已按25%税率预缴税款的，则可就25%与15%税率差计算的税额，在2008年12月份预缴时抵缴应预缴的税款。
- State Administration of Taxation clarified issues on corporate income tax payable by high-tech enterprises for 2008
The State Administration of Taxation promulgated a circular on December 2, 2008, which clarified issues on the payment of corporate income tax by high-tech enterprises for the year 2008. The circular states that the enterprises holding "High-tech Enterprise Certificate" shall be required to prepay corporate income tax at the tax rate of 15%; if such enterprises have prepaid the tax at the rate of 25% in 2008, the amount overpaid will be deducted from the income tax prepayment due in December of 2008.
国家外汇管理局、国家税务总局于2008年11月25日颁布《关于服务贸易等项目对外支付提交税务证明有关问题的通知》。该《通知》于2009年1月1日起实施。《通知》对其所适用的服务贸易、收益、经常转移、资本项目的范围加以明确，要求境内机构和个人向境外单笔支付等值3万美元以上（不含等值3万美元）的服务贸易、收益、经常转移和部分资本项目外汇资金，应向主管税务机关申请办理税务证明。
- State Administration of Foreign Exchange regulated on required tax certificate for foreign exchange remittance of service fee, etc.
The State Administration of Foreign Exchange and the State Administration of Taxation jointly promulgated the Circular on Relevant Issues regarding Submission of Tax Certificate for Outward Remittance for Trade in Service and Other Items, which will take effect on January 1, 2009. The Circular defines the scope of trade in service, incomes, transfers of amount under current accounts (such as donations, indemnifications, tax payments and other contingent payments) and certain capital items (such as rental from financing leases, proceeds from sale of real estate or equity). Accordingly, domestic institutions and individuals must apply to the competent tax authorities for tax certification when they make any single outward foreign exchange remittance in excess of USD30,000 in connection with trade in service, incomes, transfers of amount under current accounts, and certain capital items.
最近一段时期以来，中国房地产市场交易量萎缩，形势严峻。为此，中国政府出台一系列相关政策，以刺激房地产市场，拉动内需。2008年12月20日，国务院办公厅出台《关于促进房地产市场健康发展的若干意见》，提出数个扶持房地产市场发展的政策。 根据该《意见》，国家鼓励普通商品住房消费，暂定至2009年12月31日之前，对住房转让环节营业税实行减免政策。该《意见》还提出，支持房地产开发企业的合理融资需求，加大对中低价位、中小套型普通商品住房建设，特别是在建项目的信贷支持，对有实力有信誉的房地产开发企业兼并重组提供融资和相关金融服务。这是近一年对开发商合理信贷需求的首次明确表态支持。 此外，该意见宣布将取消适用于外商投资企业、外国企业和外籍个人的城市房地产税，对内外资企业和个人统一适用《中华人民共和国房产税暂行条例》，征收房产税。
- State Council launched policies to bolster real estate market
In the past several months, the Chinese real estate market has experienced steep decreases in trading volume. To cope with the severe situation, the Chinese government announced a series of policies to stimulate the real estate market and to promote domestic demand. On December 20, 2008, the General Office of the State Council issued the Several Opinions on Promoting Healthy Development of Real Estate Market, setting out several policies to aid the real estate market.
According to these opinions, the Chinese government encourages purchases of residential housing. For the period up to December 31, 2009, the business tax for purchases and sales of residential housing will be, on a tentative basis, reduced or exempted. According to these opinions, support will be granted to reasonable financing needs of the real estate development enterprises, more credits will be offered to the construction of residential housing with low or medium price and size, especially to the projects that are still in construction, and financing and other financial services will be offered to sound and reputable real estate development enterprises in connection with their M&A activities and restructuring. This is the first time that the Chinese government has provided explicit support to the reasonable financing needs of the real estate development enterprises in the past year.
Moreover, according to these opinions, the State Council will cancel the urban housing and land tax applicable to foreign invested enterprises, foreign enterprises and foreign citizens. After the cancellation, the real estate owned by domestic and foreign enterprises and individuals will be subject to the same urban housing tax.
中国银监会于2008年12月4日发布《银行与信托公司业务合作指引》，对商业银行等金融机构与信托公司之间业务合作的相关问题做出规范。该《指引》允许银行与信托公司可开展个人理财、资产证券化等方面的合作，并对合作中应遵循的原则及相关要求做出规定。 此外，根据该《指引》，信托公司可以将信托财产投资于金融机构股权，且如信托公司将信托财产投资于与自身存在关联关系的金融机构的股权时，应当以公平的市场价格进行，并向中国银监会报告。该《指引》特别规定银行不得为银信理财合作涉及的信托产品及该信托产品项下财产运用对象等提供任何形式担保。信托公司投资于银行所持的信贷资产、票据资产等资产的，应当采取买断方式，且银行不得以任何形式回购。
- China Banking Regulatory Commission promulgated guidelines to regulate cooperation between banks and trust companies
On December 4, 2008, China Banking Regulatory Commission promulgated the Guidelines on Business Cooperation between Banks and Trust Companies, which provide guidance on the relevant issues regarding business cooperation between banks (including commercial banks and certain other financial institutions) and trust companies. The guidelines allow banks and trust companies to cooperate in such business as provision of wealth management service, asset securitization and others. The guidelines also set out the principles and requirements concerning business cooperation between banks and trust companies.
In addition, the guidelines allow a trust company to use its trust property to invest in the equity of banks. If the target of such equity investment is an affiliate of the trust company, the transaction must be carried out at a fair market value basis, and be reported to the China Banking Regulatory Commission. The guidelines prohibit banks from providing any security for any trust products offered in the wealth management service cooperated by banks and trust companies or any projects on which the property of such trust products will be used. The guidelines further require any investment by trust companies in banks’ assets (such as loan assets, commercial paper assets, etc.) to be made by an outright sale without repurchase/buy-back arrangement.
随着两岸经济关系的发展，为推动两岸直接双向投资，大陆国家发展改革委员会及国务院台湾办公室于2008年12月15日联合发布《关于大陆企业赴台湾地区投资项目管理有关规定的通知》，鼓励大陆企业积极稳妥地赴台湾地区投资。 《通知》规定，大陆赴台投资主体是在大陆依法注册、经营的企业法人，且具备投资所申报项目的资金、行业背景、技术和管理实力。申请时，大陆企业需先向其注册所在地的省级发改委提出项目申请报告，经省级发改委与同级台办初审后，报国家发改委审核。国家发展改革委审核前，应征求国台办意见后。 目前，大陆对自然人如何赴台湾地区投资暂无规定。因此，大陆自然人赴台投资尚不可行。
- Mainland government encouraged domestic enterprises to invest in Taiwan, detailing investment approval procedures
Along with the positive development of the cross-strait economic relations, on December 15, 2008, the National Development and Reform Commission and Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council jointly issued the Circular on Administration of Investment in Taiwan by Mainland Enterprises, to promote two-way cross-strait direct investment. The Circular encourages mainland enterprises to invest in Taiwan in a proactive and steady manner.
According to the Circular, the Mainland enterprise investing in Taiwan must be a legal person registered and operated in the Mainland, and must have the capital, industrial background, and technology and management capability required for the investment project.
An investment project in Taiwan must be first reviewed and approved by the development and reform commission and Taiwan affairs office at the provincial level, and finally reviewed and approved by the National Development and Reform Commission. The National Development and Reform Commission will consult the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council on the proposed investment project before it makes the approval.
To date, there is no guidance addressing how the Mainland individuals can make investment in Taiwan. Therefore, it is not feasible at this moment for a Mainland individual to invest in Taiwan.
为缓解国际金融危机造成外贸进出口减缓的压力，国家外汇管理局于2008年12月23日发布《于完善企业货物贸易项下外债登记管理有关问题的通知》，放宽企业出口预收汇及进口延期付汇比例。根据该《通知》，企业出口货款预收汇及进口货款延期付汇比例限制均由原来的10%调整为25%。在贸易信贷登记管理系统中办理提款登记的等值30,000美元（含）以下的预收货款或延期付款，不受货款预收汇或延期付汇的比例限制。
此外，《通知》规定，对信用状况良好、无外汇管理违规记录、能够严格进行贸易信贷登记的企业，可申请调整货款预收汇或货款延期付汇比例。
- State Administration of Foreign Exchange eases restrictions on acceptance of foreign exchange prepayment for exports and deferred foreign exchange payment for imports
To alleviate the pressure of depression in import and export resulted from the international financial crisis, on December 23, 2008 the State Administration of Foreign Exchange issued the Circular on Improvement of Administration on Foreign Debt Registration of Trade in Goods, relaxing the restrictions on acceptance of foreign exchange prepayment for exports and deferred foreign exchange payment for imports.
The Circular allows exporters to accept foreign exchange prepayment, and importers to defer foreign exchange payment, both from original 10% to now 25% of the total transaction price. However, none of such restriction will be applicable if a prepayment or deferred payment subject to registration in the Trade Credit Registration System is below USD30,000 (or its equivalent amount in other foreign currencies).
In addition, an enterprise that maintains good credit standing, has no record of violation of foreign exchange regulations, and can implement strict trade credit registration may, upon application, obtain an approval to adjust the applicable percentage of the acceptance of foreign exchange prepayment and deferred foreign exchange payment.
为妥善解决外资非正常撤离后的相关问题（如中方相关利益方的严重经济损失），大陆商务部、外交部、公安部及司法部于2008年11月19日联合制订《外资非正常撤离中国的跨国追究与诉讼工作指引》，使中方相关利益方得以依据《指引》做好跨国追究及诉讼工作，并提供切实可行的司法协助，以追究外方逃逸者的法律责任，最大限度挽回当事人的经济损失。
《指引》中指出外资非正常撤离中国后，中方当事人要及时向司法主管部门(法院或侦查机关)申请立案，司法主管部门可依据与有关国家签订的司法协助条约向外国提出司法协助请求，外方根据条约的规定有义务向中方提供司法协助，包括送达法律文书、调取相关证据、搜查扣押相关物品等。
《指引》中规定，中方当事人在国内提起民事诉讼并胜诉后，如外国当事人在中国无可供执行的财产，中方当事人可依据中国与有关国家签订的司法协助条约的规定向有管辖权的外国法院申请承认与执行中国法院的判决。中方当事人也可以依据条约的规定，迳向缔约国有管辖权的法院提起民事诉讼。
《指引》中明确，公司不履行清算义务给债权人造成损失的，作为有限责任公司的股东、股份有限公司的控股股东和董事以及公司实际控制人的外国企业或个人仍应承担相应民事责任，对公司债务承担连带清偿责任。
《指引》还规定，对于因恶意逃避欠缴、税额巨大的犯罪嫌疑人，中国司法主管部门可依据与有关国家签订的司法协助条约的规定，向犯罪嫌疑人逃往国提出引渡请求或刑事诉讼移转请求，以确保犯罪嫌疑人受到法律追究。
- Four Ministries jointly promulgated guidelines on cross-border legal actions against foreign entities unduly evacuated investments from China
To properly address the problems caused by undue evacuation of foreign investments (such as severe economic losses suffered by Chinese interested parties), on November 19, 2008, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Justice jointly promulgated the Guidelines on Transnational Pursuits and Lawsuits Instituted by Chinese Interested Parties Due to Undue Evacuation of Foreign Investments. These Guidelines are purported to provide guidance for Chinese interested parties to initiate legal proceedings in foreign countries, and to offer feasible and practicable judicial assistances in their pursuit of claims against foreign investors who evacuated their investment from China, so that the recovery of the Chinese entities' economic losses can be optimized.
According to the Guidelines, Chinese investors shall, in a timely manner, file a civil or criminal action with competent judicial authorities (including court and investigation authority) whenever there is an undue evacuation of investments by foreign investors. The authority may request judicial assistance from the relevant foreign country, in accordance with the applicable agreements or treaties between that country and China for judicial assistances, under which the foreign country is obligated to provide judicial assistances to China, such as serving legal instruments, collecting evidences, searching and making attachments of properties.
Under the Guidelines, a prevailing Chinese party to a civil action filed in China is entitled to request for recognition and enforcement by a foreign court of jurisdiction of the Chinese court judgment in accordance with the applicable agreement or treaty for judicial assistance, if the defeated foreign party does not maintain any assets in China that may be subject to enforcement. Alternatively, the Chinese party may file a lawsuit with the court of jurisdiction in the relevant foreign country that is a signatory of the relevant agreement or treaty for judicial assistance.
The Guidelines further prescribe that, if the liquidation of an insolvent company is not consummated, the foreign enterprises or individuals who are (i) the shareholders of a limited liability company, (ii) the controlling shareholders or directors of the board of a company limited by shares, or (iii) the de facto controlling person of a company, shall take up the relevant civil liabilities, and shall be jointly and severally liable for all indebtedness of the company.
Under the Guidelines, the Chinese judicial authorities may request, in accordance with the relevant bilateral agreement or treaty for judicial assistance, extradition of or transfer of jurisdiction over any criminal suspects who maliciously evaded tax liability or who failed to settle a substantial sum of tax, so as to ensure that all criminal suspects will be pursued in accordance with the laws.
人大常委会于2008年12月27日通过修正《专利法》，这次修法的幅度和内容均牵涉甚广，包括对专利权授予的标准从相对新颖性改为绝对新颖性、删除了在中国境内完成的发明必须要先在中国提出专利申请的规定（但如先向外国申请，则应先经保密审查）、修正对外观设计的保护规定、增订对侵权诉讼中被告可以主张现有技术抗辩、修正专利强制许可的条件与国际接轨等。本次修法将于2009年10月1日生效。可以预见对技术创作与产业发展必有深刻的影响。
- The People's Congress passed amendments to the Patent Law.
The People's Congress passed the amendments to the Patent Law on December 27, 2008. The amendments are substantial in breadth and width, including changes to the requirements for granting of patents (i.e., from relative novelty to absolute novelty), deletion of the first filing requirement with respect to any invention made in China (although a classified review must be completed if the first application will be made in a foreign country), revision to the provisions for protection of design patents, admission of defense relied upon prior arts in patent infringement lawsuits, and amendment to the requirements of compulsory licensing that will conform to the Chinese obligations under the relevant international agreement. The amendments will become effective October 1, 2009. It is foreseeable that these amendments will bring forth significant impact on the technological innovation and industrial development.