四川省巴中市人民政府


巴中市人民政府关于印发巴中市使用国家开发银行政策性专项贷款监督管理办法的通知

各县（区）人民政府，市政府各部门，市经济技术开发区商贸园、工业园管委会：
为切实加强国家开发银行对我市10亿元政策性专项贷款的监督管理，保证按时偿还，防范财政风险，发挥出贷款资金使用的最大效益，特制定《巴中市使用国家开发银行政策性专项贷款监督管理办法》，并经2005年5月30日市政府第二十二次常务会议审议通过，现印发各县（区），市政府各部门，请认真遵照执行。



二○○五年六月二日
巴中市使用国家开发银行
政策性专项贷款监督管理办法

第一章 总 则
第一条 为全面落实科学发展观，打造诚信巴中，促进全市经济社会事业快速发展和投融资体制改革，加强对国家开发银行贷款项目专项资金的管理，提高资金使用效益，确保按时偿还贷款本息，根据巴中市人民政府与国家开发银行签订的《开发性金融合作协议》，特制定本办法。
第二条 本办法仅适用于巴中市人民政府与国家开发银行签订的《开发性金融合作协议》中巴中市政府以政府增信方式向国家开发银行取得的政府信用贷款。
第三条 国家开发银行贷款项目专项资金主要用于交通、城市基础设施、精品旅游、社会事业、农业产业化等重点领域。
第四条 市政府指定市交通局、市城市建设投资公司为贷款融资平台（以下简称平台），作为借款主体。平台要自觉接受市项目管理办公室、市发改委、市财政局、市审计局等部门的监督、管理和指导。
第五条 贷款使用坚持分级负责、法人负责、诚信至上和谁使用贷款谁负责偿还的原则。实行项目所有权属地管理，市、县（区）政府负责各自管辖范围内项目的推荐、审查，项目的组织实施，项目贷款本息的归还和贷款风险的防范；项目法人负责项目的申报、建设、管理和贷款本息的偿还；建立严格的失信惩戒机制，将项目贷款与法人信用严格挂钩，对申报项目的法人及其法定代表人的信誉进行严格考核评级，凡信誉达不到贷款要求的项目，一律不向省开行推荐。所有贷款项目必须把是否具有偿还贷款本息的能力作为首要条件，凡经济效益不能达到自身还本付息能力的项目，一律不向省开行推荐。

第二章 组织机构和管理职责
第六条 根据市人民政府与国家开发银行《开发性金融合作协议》约定，由巴中市人民政府和国家开发银行四川省分行共同组建巴中市使用国家开发银行贷款监管工作领导小组（以下简称领导小组），为政策性专项贷款的组织、管理和协调机构，其职责是：
（一）制定贷款使用和管理相关政策、办法；
（二）负责贷款项目的审定和调整；
（三）协调处理贷款使用和偿还中出现的重大问题；
（四）责成项目管理办公室组织有关部门共同对申报的项目进行切合实际的科学论证、评估、评审和预算审查。
第七条 领导小组下设项目管理办公室，为项目管理常设机构，其具体职责是：负责贷款项目的审查把关、资金使用管理、还本付息资金的归集、贷款使用、项目建设的监督和审计等协调督查工作。
第八条 在项目管理办公室的协调指导下，平台的职责是：
（一）根据本办法制定融资贷款使用细则；
（二）负责项目的筛选和初审并向项目管理办公室推荐；
（三）依据市项目管理办公室下发的《项目推荐文件》和《贷款使用方案批准通知书》向省开发银行提出贷款申请，与省开发银行签订《项目借款合同》，负责贷款的借入，并按合同约定履行有关义务；
（四）与项目法人签订《贷款使用协议》，并对项目单位贷款使用、本息偿还及风险防范行使监管职责；
（五）审查并批复项目法人的用款和偿还计划，向市项目管理办公室和省开发银行上报贷款执行情况。
（六）督促、归集并及时向市财政专户上划项目法人及县（区）财政筹措的还本付息资金。
第九条 项目法人的职责是：
（一）负责项目的论证评估和申报；
（二）按批复的项目计划组织项目的实施，对项目的建设质量、安全和效益负责；
（三）编制用款和还本付息计划，及时筹措还本付息资金，确保按期还本付息。
第十条 各县(区)人民政府及市政府相关部门负责项目的选择和推荐，协调解决贷款协议执行过程中出现的问题，建立本级项目贷款的风险防范和还本付息保障机制，坚持健全工程招投标、工程监理、竣工验收等规章制度。
第十一条 为了保证资金安全，防范财政风险，市项目管理办公室组织有关部门加强对资金使用、项目实施的全方位监督。市、县（区）审计局、财政局、监察局对贷款项目建设过程中的招投标、设备、材料采购等工作情况进行全过程的跟踪、监督、检查。市、县（区）审计局对贷款投资项目的资金使用情况进行监督、检查，市审计局对全市所有项目工程竣工决算进行审计，并向市人民政府和市监管工作领导小组提交专项审计报告。
第十二条 市人民政府将各县(区)人民政府及市级相关部门对项目建设进度、质量、监管、项目投产效益、还本付息等相关工作纳入年度目标考核内容。

第三章 项目的确定、申报和招投标
第十三条 申请使用贷款投资的项目必须符合下列条件：
　　（一）具有还本付息能力；
（二）项目法人具有良好的信誉；
（三）符合城市规划、土地利用规划和环保等建设条件，申报项目年度内能够开工建设；
（四）完成由国家或省、市投资主管部门规定的项目审批、备案程序；
（五）前期工作条件成熟；
（六）落实相应的担保和抵质押措施；
（七）其它应具备的条件。
第十四条 项目申报单位须向有关部门提供以下材料：
　　（一）项目单位使用贷款投资的申请书，内容包括：项目名称、需要贷款投资的数额、贷款投资产权回购计划及资金来源；
　　（二）经批准的项目建议书和可行性论证报告；
（三）项目单位的营业执照复印件（加盖批准部门印章）；
（四）其它应提供的材料。
第十五条 申请使用贷款投资的程序：
（一）县（区）级项目上报程序是：1、项目法人报县（区）业务主管部门审查；2、业务主管部门报县（区）发改委审查；3、县（区）发改委委托法定资质等级的中介机构进行项目可行性评估，会同县（区）财政部门进行还本付息能力评估和用款计划审查；4、县（区）发改委将评审后的方案报县（区）人民政府研究决定后，以县（区）人民政府名义报市相关平台。
（二）市级项目上报的程序是：1、项目法人报业务主管部门审查（需可行性评估的项目由相关部门委托法定资质等级的中介机构进行可行性评估）；2、主管部门报市相关平台审查。
（三）平台将县（区）人民政府和平台自身上报的项目汇总后报市项目管理办公室。
（四）市项目管理办公室报送市财政局进行偿债能力评估和用款计划审查。
（五）市财政局报领导小组审定。
（六）经领导小组审定的项目由市项目管理办公室报开发银行核准。
第十六条 标的额达到《四川省工程建设项目招标投标管理若干规定》（川府发[2001]9号）标准必须进行招标的项目，必须采取公开招投标方式确定施工单位，主要材料、设备必须实行招标采购。各项目单位在施工单位和材料供应商确定后，应根据项目管辖权向有关部门报送项目采购清单、采购合同（包括材料、土地及咨询服务）。县（区）管理的项目，经县（区）发改委、审计局、财政局审查同意后分别报市相关平台、市项目管理办公室、市审计局、市财政局备案。市管理的项目，经市项目管理办公室、市审计局、市财政局审查同意后实施。全市所有招投标项目送省开发银行备案，以加强对项目资金支付的监督。
第十七条 招标采购工作由项目单位按照国家有关法律法规规定的程序办理，须委托招标代理机构代理招标的，其招标代理费由项目单位承担。

第四章 贷款资金的管理和偿还
第十八条 项目贷款必须专款专用，不得截留、挪用，严禁用于修建广场、办公楼、职工宿舍、购买轿车和非工程用越野车。
第十九条 项目法人在项目实施前，应根据投资项目的实施计划、采购合同等有关协议按进度编制分年度用款计划，经县(区)人民政府和市相关平台、市项目管理办公室、市财政局审查后报省开发银行核准。用款计划经省开发银行核准后，项目实施单位必须严格执行。
第二十条 资金的借入。平台具体负责项目贷款的借入，在向项目法人进行投资的过程中，应根据项目的性质、特点和投资回收期的不同，分期限进行投资。贷款投资的期限，原则上按照项目可行性研究报告中的建设期和投资回收期进行确定。
第二十一条 资金的支付。由施工单位或供应商提出申请，项目法人填制《国家开发银行贷款实施项目工程款支付凭证》（以下简称支付凭证），经工程监理单位、县（区）财政局、相关贷款平台、市项目管理办公室和市财政局、省开发银行审查签章后，由省开发银行通过贷款平台专户将资金直接支付给施工单位或供货商。项目实施单位所需的部分零星管理费用通过市、县（区）财政局在省开发银行开设的过渡专户划拨，并由市、县（区）财政局监督使用。
第二十二条 资金的结算。使用贷款项目的工程款，每次付款额不得超过付款期内已完工程量的70%，其余30%的工程款待工程竣工决算后，按审计确认金额扣除规定的质量保证金后一年内付清。
第二十三条 民工工资的支付。项目主管部门和项目法人要督促施工单位开设民工工资支付专户，按月兑现各工程项目的民工工资。
第二十四条 项目法人是负责偿还贷款的最终债务人，必须按照 “谁用款、谁负责偿还”原则和《贷款协议》的约定，办理贷款抵、质押等担保手续，积极筹措并主动偿还贷款本息。
第二十五条 偿债资金的来源。公益性项目偿债资金，在将项目收益归集偿债专户的同时，由同级政府按综合预算的办法安排；经营性项目由项目法人筹集还本付息资金（收费公路项目的偿债资金按现行道路交通管理体制，由项目法人承贷承还）；平台在与项目单位签订资金使用协议时，应确定项目收益权划转、资产抵押等保证措施。
第二十六条 偿债资金的保证措施。市、县(区)人民政府都必须建立偿债保证机制。市、县（区）财政在确保财政供给人员工资兑现、机构正常运转和社会事业投入的前提下，根据年度应偿还贷款本息的数额，按照综合预算，安排偿债保障金。市财政局负责将全市预算的偿债保证资金划入在省开发银行开设的“偿债保证专户”，当“还本付息归集专户”中的资金不足以偿还贷款本息时，用“偿债保证专户”中的资金进行垫付，确保按期足额偿还本息。
第二十七条 市、县（区）编制的还本付息风险保证金预算方案应报请同级人大常委会或人民代表大会审议批准后执行。
第二十八条 对确定的用财政专项拨款作为偿债来源的贷款项目，各级财政部门在收到上级财政部门下达的专项资金后要及时商项目主管部门提出意见并报同级政府批准，将政府批准的允许用于归还贷款本息的专项资金数额划入“还本付息过渡专户”。
第二十九条 市、县(区)财政部门要督促项目主管部门或实施单位建立贷款风险防范机制。加强贷款使用监测，科学测算贷款项目实施效益，根据项目实施进度和收益情况采取缩短使用年限或提前回收本金等办法，加速贷款的回收，确保贷款安全有效使用。市项目管理办公室和市财政局要加强对到期贷款的催收，确保到期贷款的及时收回与归还。提前收回的本金在商得省开发银行同意后，可以用于提前还贷，也可作为偿债保证金，待贷款到期时再归还。
第三十条 偿债资金的归集和划转。平台在省开发银行指定的代理银行开设“还本付息过渡专户”，督促项目法人按时将应还贷款本息资金划入专户，并按时将专户资金划转给市财政在省开发银行开设的“还本付息归集专户”。
第三十一条 项目法人及主管部门因各种原因关闭、撤销、破产、合并、兼并、分立、改制、改变隶属关系和预算体制时，应告知市、县（区）财政部门及国家开发银行四川省分行，并按国家有关法律法规落实偿债责任。

第五章 项目的监督和管理
第三十二条 为加强项目实施和资金使用的廉政保障，市、县（区）监察机关要根据有关纪律要求和廉政规定，加强监督检查，对违纪者从严处理。
第三十三条 市人民政府报请市人大、市政协组织市人大代表、市政协委员定期和不定期对项目实施、资金管理等情况进行视察和监督检查。
第三十四条 项目法人应当严格按照经过批准的建设规模和标准、投资概算，认真组织项目实施，不准调整和变动，不准弄虚作假，严格控制项目建设成本，确保资金的使用效益。
第三十五条 所有项目法人必须配备专职会计人员对贷款投资的项目进行单独核算，确保贷款专款专用，定期向省开发银行、市相关平台和市、县(区)财政局、审计局报送有关会计报表和财务报告，并接受其监督。
第三十六条 项目完工后，相关职能部门要依法组织验收，并将验收结果和项目决算报市项目管理办公室，市、县（区）发改委、财政局、审计局和市相关平台。
第三十七条 项目专项资金形成的资产，属于国有的应按规定纳入国有资产管理范围进行管理。

第六章 责任和义务
第三十八条 各县（区）政府、相关部门、项目法人必须严格执行本办法各项规定，对违反本办法规定的行为，责令纠正，并视其情节，依纪依法追究有关责任人的责任。
第三十九条 对截留、挤占和挪用项目资金，弄虚作假骗取贷款和造成国有资产流失等行为，将停止办理相关单位的贷款提取手续，按照国家有关规定进行处理、处罚，并依法追究项目单位和有关人员的责任，有关项目单位承担由此造成的一切损失。
第四十条 任何组织和个人不得以任何方式妨碍本办法的实施，凡妨碍本办法实施的行为给国家造成损失的，要依法追究有关单位和责任人的责任。

第七章 附 则
第四十一条 各县（区）人民政府和市政府相关部门要依据本办法的规定制定相应的资金使用监督管理办法。
第四十二条 本办法自发布之日起施行。
第四十三条 本办法由巴中市人民政府法制办公室负责解释。


世界贸易组织法律文件



REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY

ON THE ACCESSION OF CHINA



TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
1. Documentation Provided 1
2. Introductory Statements 1
II. ECONOMIC POLICIES 3
1. Non-Discrimination (including national treatment) 3
2. Monetary and Fiscal Policy 5
3. Foreign Exchange and Payments 5
4. Balance-of-Payments Measures 7
5. Investment Regime 8
6. State-Owned and State-Invested Enterprises 8
7. Pricing Policies 10
8. Competition Policy 12
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES 12
1. Structure and Powers of the Government 12
2. Authority of Sub-National Governments 13
3. Uniform Administration of the Trade Regime 14
4. Judicial Review 14
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS 15
A. TRADING RIGHTS 15
1. General 15
2. Designated Trading 17
B. IMPORT REGULATION 17
1. Ordinary Customs Duties 17
2. Other Duties and Charges 19
3. Rules of Origin 19
4. Fees and Charges for Services Rendered 19
5. Application of Internal Taxes to Imports 19
6. Tariff Exemptions 20
7. Tariff Rate Quotas 21
8. Quantitative Import Restrictions, including Prohibitions and Quotas 23
9. Import Licensing 26
10. Customs Valuation 27
11. Other Customs Formalities 28
12. Preshipment Inspection 28
13. Anti-Dumping, Countervailing Duties 29
14. Safeguards 31
C. EXPORT REGULATIONS 31
1. Customs Tariffs, Fees and Charges for Services Rendered, Application of Internal Taxes to Exports 31
2. Export Licensing and Export Restrictions 31
3. Export Subsidies 33
D. INTERNAL POLICIES AFFECTING FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS 33
1. Taxes and Charges Levied on Imports and Exports 33
2. Industrial Policy, including Subsidies 33
3. Technical Barriers to Trade 35
4. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 39
5. Trade-Related Investment Measures 40
6. State Trading Entities 40
7. Special Economic Areas 42
8. Transit 43
9. Agricultural Policies 43
10. Trade in Civil Aircraft 45
11. Textiles 45
12. Measures Maintained Against China 46
13. Transitional Safeguards 46
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME 48
A. GENERAL 48
1. Overview 48
2. Responsible agencies for policy formulation and implementation 52
3. Participation in international intellectual property agreements 53
4. Application of national and MFN treatment to foreign nationals 53
B. SUBSTANTIVE STANDARDS OF PROTECTION, INCLUDING PROCEDURES FOR THE ACQUISITION AND MAINTENANCE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 54
1. Copyright protection 54
2. Trademarks, including service marks 54
3. Geographical indications, including appellations of origin 55
4. Industrial designs 55
5. Patents 56
6. Plant variety protection 58
7. Layout designs of integrated circuits 59
8. Requirements on undisclosed information, including trade secrets and test data 59
C. MEASURES TO CONTROL ABUSE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 60
D. ENFORCEMENT 60
1. General 60
2. Civil judicial procedures and remedies 61
3. Provisional measures 61
4. Administrative procedures and remedies 62
5. Special border measures 63
6. Criminal procedures 63
VI. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN SERVICES 63
1. Licensing 63
2. Choice of Partner 66
3. Modification of the Equity Interest 67
4. Prior Experience Requirement for Establishment in Insurance Sector 67
5. Inspection Services 67
6. Market Research 67
7. Legal Services 67
8. Minority Shareholder Rights 67
9. Schedule of Specific Commitments 68
VII. OTHER ISSUES 68
1. Notifications 68
2. Special Trade Arrangements 68
3. Transparency 68
4. Government Procurement 70
VIII. CONCLUSIONS 71



I. INTRODUCTION
1. At its meeting on 4 March 1987, the Council established a Working Party to examine the request of the Government of the People's Republic of China ("China") (L/6017, submitted on 10 July 1986) for resumption of its status as a GATT contracting party, and to submit to the Council recommendations which may include a Protocol on the Status of China. In a communication dated 7 December 1995, the Government of China applied for accession to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization ("WTO Agreement") pursuant to Article XII of the WTO Agreement. Following China's application and pursuant to the decision of the General Council on 31 January 1995, the existing Working Party on China's Status as a GATT 1947 Contracting Party was transformed into a WTO Accession Working Party, effective from 7 December 1995. The terms of reference and the membership of the Working Party are reproduced in document WT/ACC/CHN/2/Rev.11 and Corr.1.
2. The Working Party on China's Status as a Contracting Party met on 20 occasions between 1987 and 1995 under the Chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Pierre-Louis Girard (Switzerland). The Working Party on the Accession of China met on 22 March 1996, 1 November 1996, 6 March 1997, 23 May 1997, 1 August 1997, 5 December 1997, 8 April 1998, 24 July 1998, 21 March 2000, 23 June 2000, 27 July 2000, 28 September 2000, 9 November 2000, 8 December 2000, 17 January 2001, 4 July 2001, 20 July 2001 and 17 September 2001 under the same Chairman. At meetings held on 9 November 2000, 8 December 2000 and 17 January 2001, Mr. Paul-Henri Ravier, Deputy Director-General of the WTO, served as Acting Chairman.
1. Documentation Provided
3. The Working Party had before it, to serve as a basis for its discussion, a Memorandum on China's Foreign Trade Regime (L/6125) and questions posed by members of the Working Party on the foreign trade regime of China, together with replies of the Chinese authorities thereto. In addition, the Government of China made available to the Working Party a substantial amount of documentation, which is listed in document WT/ACC/CHN/23/Rev.1.
2. Introductory Statements
4. In statements to the GATT 1947 Working Party and subsequently to the Working Party on the Accession of China, the representative of China stated that China's consistent efforts to resume its status as a contracting party to GATT and accession to the WTO Agreement were in line with its objective of economic reform to establish a socialist market economy as well as its basic national policy of opening to the outside world. China's WTO accession would increase its economic growth and enhance its economic and trade relations with WTO Members.
5. Members of the Working Party welcomed China's accession to the WTO Agreement and considered that its accession would contribute to a strengthening of the multilateral trading system, enhancing the universality of the WTO, bringing mutual benefits to China and to the other Members of the WTO, and ensuring the steady development of the world economy.
6. The representative of China said that China had a territory of 9.6 million square kilometres and, at the end of 1998 a population of 1.25 billion. Since 1979, China had been progressively reforming its economic system, with the objective of establishing and improving the socialist market economy. The reform package introduced in 1994, covering the banking, finance, taxation, investment, foreign exchange ("forex") and foreign trade sectors, had brought about major breakthroughs in China's socialist market economy. State-owned enterprises had been reformed by a clear definition of property rights and responsibilities, a separation of government from enterprise, and scientific management. A modern enterprise system had been created for the state-owned sector, and the latter was gradually getting on the track of growth through independent operation, responsible for its own profits and losses. A nation-wide unified and open market system had been developed. An improved macroeconomic regulatory system used indirect means and market forces to play a central role in economic management and the allocation of resources. A new tax and financial system was functioning effectively. Financial policy had been separated from commercial operations of the central bank, which now focussed on financial regulation and supervision. The exchange rate of the Chinese currency Renminbi (also "RMB") had been unified and remained stable. The Renminbi had been made convertible on current account. Further liberalization of pricing policy had resulted in the majority of consumer and producer products being subject to market prices. The market now played a much more significant role in boosting supply and meeting demand.
7. The representative of China further noted that as a result, in 1999, the Gross Domestic Product ("GDP") of China totaled RMB 8.2054 trillion yuan (approximately US$ 990 billion). In 1998, the net per capita income for rural residents was RMB 2,160 yuan (approximately US$ 260), and the per capita dispensable income for urban dwellers was RMB 5,425 yuan (approximately US$ 655). In recent years, foreign trade had grown substantially. In 1999, total imports and exports of goods reached US$ 360.65 billion, of which exports stood at US$ 194.93 billion, and imports, US$ 165.72 billion. Exports from China in 1998 accounted for 3.4 per cent of the world's total.
8. The representative of China stated that although important achievements have been made in its economic development, China was still a developing country and therefore should have the right to enjoy all the differential and more favourable treatment accorded to developing country Members pursuant to the WTO Agreement.
9. Some members of the Working Party indicated that because of the significant size, rapid growth and transitional nature of the Chinese economy, a pragmatic approach should be taken in determining China's need for recourse to transitional periods and other special provisions in the WTO Agreement available to developing country WTO Members. Each agreement and China's situation should be carefully considered and specifically addressed. In this regard it was stressed that this pragmatic approach would be tailored to fit the specific cases of China's accession in a few areas, which were reflected in the relevant provisions set forth in China's Protocol and Working Party Report. Noting the preceding statements, Members reiterated that all commitments taken by China in her accession process were solely those of China and would prejudice neither existing rights and obligations of Members under the WTO Agreement nor on-going and future WTO negotiations and any other process of accession. While noting the pragmatic approach taken in China's case in a few areas, Members also recognized the importance of differential and more favourable treatment for developing countries embodied in the WTO Agreement.
10. At the request of interested members of the Working Party, the representative of China agreed that China would undertake bilateral market access negotiations with respect to industrial and agricultural products, and initial commitments in services.
11. Some members of the Working Party stated that in addition to undertaking market access negotiations in goods and services, close attention should also be paid to China's multilateral commitments, in particular China's future obligations under the Multilateral Agreements on Trade in Goods and the General Agreement on Trade in Services ("GATS"). This was of vital importance to ensure that China would be able to take full benefit of WTO membership as quickly as possible, as well as to ensure that the value of any market access conditions undertaken were not adversely affected by inconsistent measures such as some types of non-tariff measures.
12. The representative of China stated that the achievement of balance between rights and obligations was the basic principle in its negotiation of WTO accession.
13. Some members of the Working Party expressed concern over discrepancies in statistical information supplied by the Government of China on trade volume/value. Members and China pursued this issue separately in an Informal Group of Experts on Export Statistics.
14. The Working Party reviewed the foreign trade regime of China. The discussions and commitments resulting therefrom are contained in paragraphs 15-342 below and in the Protocol of Accession ("Protocol"), including the annexes.
II. ECONOMIC POLICIES
1. Non-Discrimination (including national treatment)
15. Some members expressed concern regarding the application of the principle of non-discrimination in relation to foreign individuals and enterprises (whether wholly or partly foreign funded). Those members stated that China should enter a commitment to accord non-discriminatory treatment to all foreign individuals and enterprises and foreign-funded enterprises in respect of the procurement of inputs and goods and services necessary for production of goods and the conditions under which their goods were produced, marketed or sold, in the domestic market and for export. In addition, those members said that China should also enter a commitment to guarantee non-discriminatory treatment in respect of the prices and availability of goods and services supplied by national and sub-national authorities and public or state enterprises, in areas including transportation, energy, basic telecommunications, other utilities and factors of production.
16. Some members of the Working Party also raised concerns over China's practice of conditioning or imposing restrictions upon participation in the Chinese economy based upon the nationality of the entity concerned. Those members in particular raised concerns over such practices in relation to the pricing and procurement of goods and services, and the distribution of import and export licences. Members of the Working Party requested that China enter into a commitment not to condition such practices on the nationality of the entity concerned.
17. In response, the representative of China emphasized the importance of the commitments that the government was undertaking on non-discrimination. The representative of China noted, however, that any commitment to provide non-discriminatory treatment to Chinese enterprises, including foreign-funded enterprises, and foreign enterprises and individuals in China, would be subject to other provisions of the Protocol and, in particular, would not prejudice China's rights under the GATS, China's Schedule of Specific Commitments or commitments undertaken in relation to trade-related investment measures.
18. The representative of China further confirmed that China would provide the same treatment to Chinese enterprises, including foreign-funded enterprises, and foreign enterprises and individuals in China. China would eliminate dual pricing practices as well as differences in treatment accorded to goods produced for sale in China in comparison to those produced for export. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
19. The representative of China confirmed that, consistent with China's rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement and the Protocol, China would provide non-discriminatory treatment to all WTO Members, including Members of the WTO that were separate customs territories. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
20. Some members of the Working Party expressed concern about certain provisions of Chinese laws, regulations, administrative notices and other requirements which could, directly or indirectly, result in less favourable treatment of imported products in contravention of Article III of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade ("GATT 1994"). Such requirements included product registration and certification, internal taxation, price and profit controls and all distinct forms of licensing for imports, and distribution or sale of imported goods. Even where such requirements existed in relation to domestically produced goods, those members reiterated that any de facto or de jure less favourable treatment of imported goods had to be eliminated in order to ensure full conformity with the principle of national treatment.
21. Some members of the Working Party drew China's attention to the variety of types of requirements which could contravene Article III of the GATT 1994. Specific reference was made to the procedures, charges and conditions for granting of business licences, whether to import, distribute, re-sell or retail goods of non-Chinese origin. Reference was also made to taxes and fiscal provisions whose impact depended, directly or indirectly, upon the Chinese or non-Chinese origin of the goods imported or traded. Those members drew the attention of China to its obligation to ensure that product testing and certification requirements, including procedures for in situ inspections, posed no greater burden - whether financial or practical - on goods of non-Chinese origin than on domestic goods. Those members underlined that conformity assessment procedures and standards, including safety and other compliance requirements, had to respect the terms of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade ("TBT Agreement") as well as Article III of the GATT 1994.
22. The representative of China confirmed that the full respect of all laws, regulations and administrative requirements with the principle of non-discrimination between domestically produced and imported products would be ensured and enforced by the date of China's accession unless otherwise provided in the Protocol or Report. The representative of China declared that, by accession, China would repeal and cease to apply all such existing laws, regulations and other measures whose effect was inconsistent with WTO rules on national treatment. This commitment was made in relation to final or interim laws, administrative measures, rules and notices, or any other form of stipulation or guideline. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
23. In particular, the representative of China confirmed that measures would be taken at national and sub-national level, including repeal or modification of legislation, to provide full GATT national treatment in respect of laws, regulations and other measures applying to internal sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use of the following:
- After sales service (repair, maintenance and assistance), including any conditions applying to its provision, such as the MOFTEC third Decree of 6 September 1993, imposing mandatory licensing procedures for the supply of after-sales service on various imported products;
- Pharmaceutical products, including regulations, notices and measures which subjected imported pharmaceuticals to distinct procedures and formulas for pricing and classification, or which set limits on profit margins attainable and imports, or which created any other conditions regarding price or local content which could result in less favourable treatment of imported products;
- Cigarettes, including unification of the licensing requirements so that a single licence authorized the sale of all cigarettes, irrespective of their country of origin, and elimination of any other restrictions regarding points of sale for imported products, such as could be imposed by the China National Tobacco Corporation ("CNTC"). It was understood that in the case of cigarettes, China could avail itself of a transitional period of two years to fully unify the licensing requirements. Immediately upon accession, and during the two year transitional period, the number of retail outlets selling imported cigarettes would be substantially increased throughout the territory of China;
- Spirits, including requirements applied under China's "Administrative Measures on Imported Spirits in the Domestic Market", and other provisions which imposed distinct criteria and licensing for the distribution and sale of different categories of spirits, including unification of the licensing requirements so that a single licence authorized the sale of all spirits irrespective of their country of origin;
- Chemicals, including registration procedures applicable to imported products, such as those applied under China's "Provisions on the Environmental Administration of Initial Imports of Chemical Products and Imports and Exports of Toxic Chemical Products";
- Boilers and pressure vessels, including certification and inspection procedures which had to be no less favourable than those applied to goods of Chinese origin, and fees applied by the relevant agencies or administrative bodies, which had to be equitable in relation to those chargeable for like products of domestic origin.
The representative of China stated that in the cases of pharmaceuticals, spirits and chemicals cited above, China would reserve the right to use a transitional period of one year from the date of accession in order to amend or repeal the relevant legislation. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
2. Monetary and Fiscal Policy
24. The representative of China stated that through the reform and opening up in the last two decades, China had established a fiscal management system which was compatible with the principles of a market economy. With respect to fiscal revenue, a taxation system with a value-added tax as the main element had been established since the taxation reform in 1994. With respect to fiscal expenditure, over recent years the government had, in line with the public fiscal requirement generally exercised by market economies, strengthened its adjustment of the structure of expenditure and given priority to public needs so as to ensure the normal operations of the government.
25. The representative of China further stated that in recent years, while pursuing proactive fiscal policy, China had implemented proper monetary policy and had taken a series of adjusting and reform measures which included lowering the interest rate for loans from financial institutions, improving the system of required deposit reserves and lowering the ratio of required reserves, positively increasing the input of base money and encouraging the commercial banks to expand their credit.
26. In respect of future fiscal policy, the representative of China noted that the Government of China would further improve its taxation system and would continue to improve the efficiency of fiscal expenditure through implementing reform measures such as sectoral budget, centralized payment by the national treasury and zero base budget, as well as improving management of fiscal expenditure. With respect to future monetary policy, the central bank would continue to pursue a prudent policy, maintain the stability of RMB, promote interest rate liberalization and establish a modern commercial banking system.
3. Foreign Exchange and Payments
27. Some members of the Working Party raised concerns about China's use of forex controls to regulate the level and composition of trade in goods and services. In response, the representative of China stated that China was now a member of the International Monetary Fund ("IMF") and that recently its system of forex had undergone rapid change. Significant moves had been taken to reform, rationalize and liberalize the forex market. The practice of multiple exchange rates in swap centres had been abolished. China had already unified its forex market and removed many of the restrictions on the use of forex.
28. Outlining the historical development of China's forex reform, the representative of China stated that the purpose of China's forex reform was to reduce administrative intervention and increase the role of market forces. From 1979, a forex retention system was applied in China, although forex swap was gradually developing. In early 1994, official RMB exchange rates were unified with the market rates. The banking exchange system was adopted and a nationwide unified inter-bank forex market was established, with conditional convertibility of the Renminbi on current accounts. Since 1996, foreign invested enterprises ("FIEs") were also permitted into the banking exchange system, and the remaining exchange restrictions on current accounts were eliminated. On 1 December 1996, China had formally accepted the obligations of Article VIII of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, removing exchange restrictions on current account transactions. Accordingly, since then the Renminbi had been fully convertible on current accounts. It was confirmed by the IMF in its Staff Report on Article IV Consultations with China in 2000 that China had no existing forex restrictions for current account transactions.
29. The representative of China stated that the State Administration of Foreign Exchange ("SAFE") was under the auspices of the People's Bank of China ("PBC"), and was the administrative organ empowered to regulate forex. Its main functions were to monitor and advise on balance-of-payments and forex matters. SAFE was also required to draft appropriate regulations and monitor compliance. He further noted that domestic and foreign banks, and financial institutions could engage in forex business, with the approval of the PBC.
30. In response to requests from members of the Working Party for further information, the representative of China added that for forex payments under current accounts, domestic entities (including FIEs) could purchase forex at market exchange rates from designated banks or debit their forex accounts directly upon presentation of valid documents. For payments such as pre-payment, commission, etc., exceeding the proportion or limit, the entities could also purchase forex from the banks upon meeting the bona fide test administered by SAFE. Forex for personal use by individuals could be purchased directly from the banks upon presentation of valid documents (within a specified limit). For amounts exceeding the limit, individuals able to prove their need for additional forex could purchase it from the banks. He also noted that current account forex receipts owned by domestic entities had to be repatriated into China, some of which could be retained and some sold to the designated banks at market rates. A verification system for forex payment (imports) and forex receipt (exports) had also been adopted.
31. Concerning the exchange rate regime in particular, the representative of China noted that since the unification of exchange rates on 1 January 1994, China had adopted a single and managed floating exchange rate regime based on supply and demand. PBC published the reference rates of RMB against the US dollar, the HK dollar and Japanese yen based on the weighted average prices of forex transactions at the interbank forex market during the previous day's trading. The buying and selling rates of RMB against the US dollar on the inter-bank forex market could fluctuate within 0.3 per cent of the reference rate. For the HK dollar and Japanese yen, the permitted range was 1 per cent. Designated forex banks could deal with their clients at an agreed rate. Under such contracts the exchange rate of the US dollar was required to be within 0.15 per cent of the reference rate, whereas for the HK dollar and Japanese yen, the permitted range was 1 per cent. The exchange rates for other foreign currencies were based on the rates of RMB against the US dollar and cross-exchange rates of other foreign currency on the international market. The permitted margin between the buying and selling rate could not exceed 0.5 per cent.
32. The representative of China further noted that since 1 January 1994, designated forex banks had become major participants in forex transactions. On 1 April 1994, the China Foreign Exchange Trading System was set up in Shanghai and branches were opened in dozens of cities. The Foreign Exchange Trading System had adopted a system of membership, respective quotation, concentrated trading and forex market settlement. Designated forex banks dealt on the inter-bank market according to the turnover position limit on banking exchange stipulated by SAFE and covered the position on the market. Depending on its macro-economic objectives, the PBC could intervene in the forex open market in order to regulate market supply and demand, and maintain the stability of the RMB exchange rate.
33. The representative of China noted that since 1 July 1996, forex dealing of the FIEs was carried out through the banking exchange system. He further noted that to encourage foreign direct investment, China had granted national treatment to FIEs in exchange administration. Accordingly, FIEs were allowed to open and hold forex settlement accounts to retain receipts under current accounts, up to a maximum amount stipulated by SAFE. Receipts in excess of the maximum amount were required to be sold to designated forex banks. No restrictions were maintained on the payment and transfer of current transactions by FIEs, and FIEs could purchase forex from designated forex banks or debit their forex accounts for any payment under current transactions, upon the presentation of valid documents to the designated forex banks or SAFE for the bona fide test. FIEs could also open forex accounts to hold foreign-invested capital, and they could sell from these accounts upon the approval of SAFE. FIEs could also borrow forex directly from domestic and overseas banks, but were required to register with SAFE afterwards, and obtain approval by SAFE for debt repayment and services. FIEs could make payments from their forex accounts or in forex purchased from designated forex banks after liquidation, upon approval by SAFE according to law.
34. The representative of China further noted that the laws and regulations mentioned above were: Law of the People's Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Venture; Law of the People's Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Venture; Regulations on the Exchange System of the People's Republic of China; and Regulations on the Sale and Purchase of and Payment in Foreign Exchange.
35. The representative of China stated that China would implement its obligations with respect to forex matters in accordance with the provisions of the WTO Agreement and related declarations and decisions of the WTO that concerned the IMF. The representative further recalled China's acceptance of Article VIII of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, which provided that "no member shall, without the approval of the Fund, impose restrictions on the making of payments and transfers for current international transactions". He stated that, in accordance with these obligations, and unless otherwise provided for in the IMF's Articles of Agreement, China would not resort to any laws, regulations or other measures, including any requirements with respect to contractual terms, that would restrict the availability to any individual or enterprise of forex for current international transactions within its customs territory to an amount related to the forex inflows attributable to that individual or enterprise. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
36. In addition, the representative of China stated that China would provide information on exchange measures as required under Article VIII, Section 5 of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, and such other information on its exchange measures as was deemed necessary in the context of the transitional review mechanism. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
4. Balance-of-Payments Measures
37. Some members of the Working Party stated that China should apply balance-of-payments ("BOPs") measures only under the circumstances provided for in the WTO Agreement and not as a justification for imposition of restrictions on imports for other protectionist purposes. Those members stated that measures taken for BOPs reasons should have the least trade disruptive effect possible and should be limited to temporary import surcharges, import deposit requirements or other equivalent price-based trade measures, and those measures should not be used to provide import protection for specific sectors, industries or products.
38. Those members of the Working Party further stated that any such measures should be notified pursuant to the Understanding on the Balance-of-Payments Provisions of the GATT 1994 ("BOPs Understanding") to the General Council not later than the imposition of the measures, together with a time schedule for their elimination and a programme of external and domestic policy measures to be used to restore BOPs equilibrium. Those members also stated that following deposit of such a notification, the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions ("BOPs Committee") should meet to examine the notification. It was noted that paragraph 4 of the BOPs Understanding would be available to China in the case of "essential products". Some members stated that the BOPs Committee should review the operation of any BOPs measures taken by China, if so requested by China or a WTO Member.
39. Some other members of the Working Party considered that, in respect of measures taken for BOP purposes, China should enjoy the same rights as those accorded to other developing country WTO Members, as provided in GATT Article XVIII:B and the BOPs Understanding.
40. In response, the representative of China stated that China considered that it should have the right to make full use of WTO BOPs provisions to protect, if necessary, its BOPs situation. He confirmed that China would fully comply with the provisions of the GATT 1994 and the BOPs Understanding. Further to such compliance, China would give preference to application of price-based measures as set forth in the BOPs Understanding. If China resorted to measures that were not price-based, it would transform such measures into price-based measures as soon as possible. Any measures taken would be maintained strictly in accordance with the GATT 1994 and the BOPs Understanding, and would not exceed what was necessary to address the particular BOPs situation. The representative of China also confirmed that measures taken for BOPs reasons would only be applied to control the general level of imports and not to protect specific sectors, industries or products, except as noted in paragraph 38. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
5. Investment Regime
41. The representative of China stated that since the inception of the reform and opening up policy in the late 1970's, China had carried out a series of reforms of its investment regime. The highly centralized investment administration under the planned economy had been progressively transformed into a new pattern of diversification of investors, multi-channelling of capital sources and diversification of investment modalities. The government encouraged foreign investment into the Chinese market and had uninterruptedly opened and expanded the scope for investment. At the same time, the Government of China also encouraged the development of the non-state-operated economy and was speeding up the opening of areas for non-state investment. With China's programme in the establishment of its market economy, the construction projects of various enterprises utilizing free capital and financed by the credit of the enterprise would be fully subject to the decision-making of the enterprise concerned and at their own risk. The commercial banks' credit activities to all kinds of investors would be based on their own evaluation and decision-making, and would be at their own risk. The business activities of intermediate investment agencies would be fully subject to the market and would provide service at the instruction of the investors. These agencies would break up their administrative relations with government agencies and the service activities financed by the government would also be subject to the terms and conditions agreed in the contracts concerned.
42. The representative of China further stated that China had promulgated investment guidelines and that the Government of China was in the process of revising and completing these guidelines. Responding to concerns raised by certain members of the Working Party, he confirmed that these investment guidelines and their implementation would be in full conformity with the WTO Agreement. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
6. State-Owned and State-Invested Enterprises
43. The representative of China stated that the state-owned enterprises of China basically operated in accordance with rules of market economy. The government would no longer directly administer the human, finance and material resources, and operational activities such as production, supply and marketing. The prices of commodities produced by state-owned enterprises were decided by the market and resources in operational areas were fundamentally allocated by the market. The state-owned banks had been commercialized and lending to state-owned enterprises took place exclusively under market conditions. China was furthering its reform of state-owned enterprises and establishing a modern enterprise system.
44. In light of the role that state-owned and state-invested enterprises played in China's economy, some members of the Working Party expressed concerns about the continuing governmental influence and guidance of the decisions and activities of such enterprises relating to the purchase and sale of goods and services. Such purchases and sales should be based solely on commercial considerations, without any governmental influence or application of discriminatory measures. In addition, those members indicated the need for China to clarify its understanding of the types of activities that would not come within the scope of Article III:8(a) of GATT 1994. For example, any measure relating to state-owned and state-invested enterprises importing materials and machinery used in the assembly of goods, which were then exported or otherwise made available for commercial sale or use or for non-governmental purposes, would not be considered to be a measure relating to government procurement.
45. The representative of China emphasized the evolving nature of China's economy and the significant role of FIEs and the private sector in the economy. Given the increasing need and desirability of competing with private enterprises in the market, decisions by state-owned and state-invested enterprises had to be based on commercial considerations as provided in the WTO Agreement.
46. The representative of China further confirmed that China would ensure that all state-owned and state-invested enterprises would make purchases and sales based solely on commercial considerations, e.g., price, quality, marketability and availability, and that the enterprises of other WTO Members would have an adequate opportunity to compete for sales to and purchases from these enterprises on non-discriminatory terms and conditions. In addition, the Government of China would not influence, directly or indirectly, commercial decisions on the part of state-owned or state-invested enterprises, including on the quantity, value or country of origin of any goods purchased or sold, except in a manner consistent with the WTO Agreement. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
47. The representative of China confirmed that, without prejudice to China's rights in future negotiations in the Government Procurement Agreement, all laws, regulations and measures relating to the procurement by state-owned and state-invested enterprises of goods and services for commercial sale, production of goods or supply of services for commercial sale, or for non-governmental purposes would not be considered to be laws, regulations and measures relating to government procurement. Thus, such purchases or sales would be subject to the provisions of Articles II, XVI and XVII of the GATS and Article III of the GATT 1994. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
48. Certain members of the Working Party expressed concern about laws, regulations and measures in China affecting the transfer of technology, in particular in the context of investment decisions. Moreover, these members expressed concern about measures conditioning the receipt of benefits, including investment approvals, upon technology transfer. In their view, the terms and conditions of technology transfer, particularly in the context of an investment, should be agreed between the parties to the investment without government interference. The government should not, for example, condition investment approval upon technology transfer.
49. The representative of China confirmed that China would only impose, apply or enforce laws, regulations or measures relating to the transfer of technology, production processes, or other proprietary knowledge to an individual or enterprise in its territory that were not inconsistent with the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ("TRIPS Agreement") and the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures ("TRIMs Agreement"). He confirmed that the terms and conditions of technology transfer, production processes or other proprietary knowledge, particularly in the context of an investment, would only require agreement between the parties to the investment. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
7. Pricing Policies
50. Some members of the Working Party noted that China had made extensive use of price controls, for example in the agricultural sector. Those members requested that China undertake specific commitments concerning its system of state pricing. In particular, those members stated that China should allow prices for traded goods and services in every sector to be determined by market forces, and multi-tier pricing practices for such goods and services should be eliminated. Those members noted, however, that China expected to maintain price controls on the goods and services listed in Annex 4 to the Protocol, and stated that any such controls should be maintained in a manner consistent with the WTO Agreement, in particular Article III of the GATT 1994 and Annex 2, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Agreement on Agriculture. Those members noted that except in exceptional circumstances, and subject to notification to the WTO Secretariat, price controls should not be extended to goods or services beyond those listed in Annex 4, and China should make its best efforts to reduce and eliminate those controls. They also asked that China publish in the appropriate official journal the list of goods and services subject to state pricing and changes thereto.
51. Some members of the Working Party expressed the view that price controls and state pricing in China also encompassed "guidance pricing" and regulation of the range of profits that enterprises could enjoy. Such policies and practices would also be subject to China's commitments. In their view, price controls should be adopted only in extraordinary circumstances and should be removed as soon as the circumstances justifying their adoption were addressed.
52. The representative of China said that China currently applied a mechanism of market-based pricing under macro-economic adjustment. He noted that national treatment was applied in the areas of government pricing for all imported goods. There were presently three types of prices: government price, government guidance price and market-regulated price. The government price was set by price administration authorities and could not be changed without the approval of these authorities. Products and services subject to government pricing were those having a direct bearing on the national economy and the basic needs of the people's livelihood, including those products that were scarce in China.
53. The representative of China stated that when government prices or government guidance prices needed to be adjusted or reset, the agencies or operators concerned should apply or propose to the competent pricing authorities for that purpose. There was not a fixed time frame for the adjustment of government prices or government guidance prices. Competent agencies or operators could, in the light of market changes and according to relevant provisions of the Price Law, submit applications or proposals to the competent pricing authorities for pricing or adjustment of the original prices. The government pricing authorities would, in the light of such factors as market demand and supply, operational costs, effect on consumers as well as the quality of services, determine specific prices for the services concerned, or set guidance prices and floating ranges within which operators could determine specific prices. When setting prices for public utilities, important public welfare services and goods subject to natural monopolies and services which were of vital interest to the general public, government pricing authorities would hold public hearings and invite consumers, operators and other concerned parties to comment and debate on the necessity and impact of a price adjustment. The prices of important services were subject to the approval of the State Council. This mechanism had helped to significantly improve the rationality and transparency of government pricing. All enterprises, regardless of their nature and ownership, were free to participate in such hearings and voice their opinions and concerns which would be taken into consideration by the competent pricing authorities. Meanwhile, government pricing was product- or service-specific, regardless of the ownership of the enterprises concerned. All the enterprises and individuals enjoyed the same treatment in terms of participating in the process of setting government prices and government guidance prices.
54. The representative of China added that the government guidance price mechanism was a more flexible form of pricing. The price administration authorities stipulated either a basic price or floating ranges. The floating range of guidance pricing was generally 5 per cent to 15 per cent. Enterprises could, within the limits of the guidance and taking into account the market situation, make their own decisions on prices. With market-regulated prices, enterprises were free to set prices in accordance with supply and demand to the extent permitted by generally applicable laws, regulations and policies concerning prices.
55. The representative of China stated that in formulating government prices and government guidance prices, the following criteria were taken into account: normal production costs, supply and demand situation, relevant government policies and prices of related products. When fixing prices of consumer goods, consideration was given to the limits of consumers' purchasing power. He noted that due to the continued reform of China's price system, the share of government prices had dropped substantially and that of market-regulated prices had increased; of social retailing products, the share of government prices was about 4 per cent, that of government guidance prices 1.2 per cent, and that of market-regulated prices 94.7 per cent. For agricultural products, the share of government prices was 9.1 per cent, government guidance prices 7.1 per cent, and market-regulated 83.3 per cent. For production inputs, the share of government prices was 9.6 per cent, that of government guidance prices 4.4 per cent, and market-regulated prices 86 per cent. The share of directly government-controlled prices had been much reduced. China's price system was becoming increasingly rationalized, creating a relatively fair marketplace for all enterprises to compete on an equal footing.
56. The representative of China recalled that Annex 4 of the Protocol contained a comprehensive listing of all products and services presently subject to government guidance pricing and government pricing. He stated that the services subject to price controls were listed in Annex 4 by their respective CPC codes.
57. Some members of the Working Party requested additional information on the specific activities subject to government pricing or government guidance pricing. In particular, those members requested information on professional services, educational services, and charges for settlement clearing and transmission services of banks. In response, the representative of China stated that "The Administrative Rules on Intermediate Services" promulgated in 1999 by six central government agencies led by the State Development and Planning Commission ("SDPC") dealt with government pricing on intermediate services such as inspection authentication, notarization and arbitration and services which were in limited supply due to their special requirements. For legal services, the Interim Regulation on Charges and Fees of Legal Services, jointly promulgated by the SDPC and the Ministry of Justice stipulated that for law firms practising Chinese law, charges and fees for the following activities were subject to the approval of the SDPC: (1) representing a client in a civil case, including an appeal; (2) representing a client in a case contesting an administrative agency's decision; (3) providing legal advice to criminal suspects, acting for a client in connection with an appeal or prosecution, applying for bail, representing a defendant or victim in a criminal case; and (4) representing a client in an arbitration. For foreign legal service providers engaged in activities such as those listed in China's GATS schedule, the foreign legal service providers would determine the appropriate charges and fees which would not be subject to government pricing or guidance pricing.
58. The representative of China noted that regulations also existed for the other services included in Annex 4. Government pricing and guidance pricing covered auditing services. For architectural services, advisory and pre-design architectural services and contract administration activities were subject to government pricing or government guidance pricing. For engineering services, advisory and consultative services, engineering design services for the construction of foundations and building structures, design services for mechanical and electrical installations for buildings, construction of civil engineering works, and industrial processes and production were subject to government pricing or government guidance pricing. Primary, secondary and higher education services were subject to government pricing.
59. The representative of China further explained that charges for settlement, clearing and transmission services of banks referred to in Annex 4 related to the charges and fees collected by banks for the services provided to enterprises and individuals when the banks conducted currency payments and transmission and fund settlements by using clearance methods such as bills and notes, collections and acceptances. These mainly included commission charges of bills, cashier's cheques, cheques, remittances, entrusted collections of payment, and collections and acceptances of banks.
60. The representative of China confirmed that it would publish in the official journal the list of goods and services subject to state pricing and changes thereto, together with price-setting mechanisms and policies. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
61. The representative of China confirmed that the official journal providing price information was the Pricing Monthly of the People's Republic of China, published in Beijing. It was a monthly magazine listing all products and services priced by the State. He further stated that China would continue to further its price reform, adjusting the catalogue subject to state pricing and further liberalize its pricing policies.
62. The representative of China further confirmed that price controls would not be used for purposes of affording protection to domestic industries or services providers. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
63. Some members of the Working Party expressed a concern that China could maintain prices below market-based ones in order to limit imports.
64. In response, the representative of China confirmed that China would apply its current price controls and any other price controls upon accession in a WTO-consistent fashion, and would take account of the interests of exporting WTO Members as provided for in Article III:9 of the GATT 1994. He also confirmed that price controls would not have the effect of limiting or otherwise impairing China's market-access commitments on goods and services. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
8. Competition Policy
65. The representative of China noted that the Government of China encouraged fair competition and was against acts of unfair competition of all kinds. The Law of the People's Republic of China on Combating Unfair Competition, promulgated on 2 September 1993 and implemented on 1 December 1993, was the basic law to maintain the order of competition in the market. In addition, the Price Law, the Law on Tendering and Bidding, the Criminal Law and other relevant laws also contained provisions on anti-monopoly and unfair competition. China was now formulating the Law on Anti-Monopoly.
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES
1. Structure and Powers of the Government
66. The representative of China informed members of the Working Party that in accordance with the Constitution and the Law on Legislation of the People's Republic of China, the National People's Congress was the highest organ of state power. Its permanent body was its Standing Committee. The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee exercised the legislative power of the State. They had the power to formulate the Constitution and laws. The State Council, i.e., the Central People's Government of China, was the executive body of the highest organ of state power. The State Council, in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws, was entrusted with the power to formulate administrative regulations. The ministries, commissions and other competent departments (collectively referred to as "departments'') of the State Council could issue departmental rules within the jurisdiction of their respective departments and in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations. The provincial people's congresses and their standing committees could adopt local regulations. The provincial governments had the power to make local government rules. The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee had the power to annul the administrative regulations that contradicted the Constitution and laws as well as the local regulations that contradicted the Constitution, laws and administrative regulations. The State Council had the power to annul departmental rules and local government rules that were inconsistent with the Constitution, laws or administrative regulations. These features of the Chinese legal system would ensure an effective and uniform implementation of the obligations after China's accession.
67. The representative of China stated that China had been consistently performing its international treaty obligations in good faith. According to the Constitution and the Law on the Procedures of Conclusion of Treaties, the WTO Agreement fell within the category of "important international agreements" subject to the ratification by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. China would ensure that its laws and regulations pertaining to or affecting trade were in conformity with the WTO Agreement and with its commitments so as to fully perform its international obligations. For this purpose, China had commenced a plan to systematically revise its relevant domestic laws. Therefore, the WTO Agreement would be implemented by China in an effective and uniform manner through revising its existing domestic laws and enacting new ones fully in compliance with the WTO Agreement.
68. The representative of China confirmed that administrative regulations, departmental rules and other central government measures would be promulgated in a timely manner so that China's commitments would be fully implemented within the relevant time frames. If administrative regulations, departmental rules or other measures were not in place within such time frames, authorities would still honour China's obligations under the WTO Agreement and Protocol. The representative of China further confirmed that the central government would undertake in a timely manner to revise or annul administrative regulations or departmental rules if they were inconsistent with China's obligations under the WTO Agreement and Protocol. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
2. Authority of Sub-National Governments
69. Several members of the Working Party raised concerns about the continued presence of multiple trade instruments used by different levels of government within China. Those members considered that this situation resulted in a lessening of the security and predictability of access to the Chinese market. These Members raised specific concerns regarding the authority of sub-national governments in the areas of fiscal, financial and budgetary activities, specifically with respect to subsidies, taxation, trade policy and other issues covered by the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. In addition, some members expressed concerns about whether the central government could effectively ensure that trade-related measures introduced at the sub-national level would conform to China's commitments in the WTO Agreement and the Protocol.
70. The representative of China stated that sub-national governments had no autonomous authority over issues of trade policy to the extent that they were related to the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. The representative of China confirmed that China would in a timely manner annul local regulations, government rules and other local measures that were inconsistent with China's obligations. The representative of China further confirmed that the central government would ensure that China's laws, regulations and other measures, including those of local governments at the sub-national level, conformed to China's obligations undertaken in the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
3. Uniform Administration of the Trade Regime
71. Some members of the Working Party stated that it should be made clear that China would apply the requirements of the WTO Agreement and its other accession commitments throughout China's entire customs territory, including border trade regions, minority autonomous areas, Special Economic Zones ("SEZs"), open coastal cities, economic and technical development zones and other special economic areas and at all levels of government.
72. Those members of the Working Party also raised concerns about whether China's central government would be sufficiently informed about non-uniform practices and would take necessary enforcement actions. Those members stated that China should establish a mechanism by which any concerned person could bring to the attention of the central government cases of non-uniform application of the trade regime and receive prompt and effective action to address situations in which non-uniform application was established.
73. The representative of China confirmed that the provisions of the WTO Agreement, including the Protocol, would be applied uniformly throughout its customs territory, including in SEZs and other areas where special regimes for tariffs, taxes and regulations were established and at all levels of government. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
74. In response to questions from certain members of the Working Party, the representative of China confirmed that laws, regulations and other measures included decrees, orders, directives, administrative guidance and provisional and interim measures. He stated that in China, local governments included provincial governments, including autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, cities, counties and townships. The representative of China further stated that local regulations, rules and other measures were issued by local governments at the provincial, city and county levels acting within their respective constitutional powers and functions and applied at their corresponding local level. Townships were only authorized to implement measures. Special economic areas were also authorized to issue and implement local rules and regulations.
75. The representative of China further confirmed that the mechanism established pursuant to Section 2(A) of the Protocol would be operative upon accession. All individuals and entities could bring to the attention of central government authorities cases of non-uniform application of China's trade regime, including its commitments under the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. Such cases would be referred promptly to the responsible government agency, and when non-uniform application was established, the authorities would act promptly to address the situation utilizing the remedies available under China's laws, taking into consideration China's international obligations and the need to provide a meaningful remedy. The individual or entity notifying China's authorities would be informed promptly in writing of any decision and action taken. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
4. Judicial Review
76. Some members of the Working Party stated that China should designate independent tribunals, contact points, and procedures for the prompt review of all administrative actions relating to the implementation of laws, regulations, judicial decisions and administrative rulings of general application referred to in Article X:1 of the GATT 1994, including administrative actions relating to import or export licences, non-tariff measures and tariff-rate quota administration, conformity assessment procedures and other measures. These members sought explicit confirmation that certain types of measures, such as decisions relating to standards and chemical registration, would be subject to judicial review. Some members of the Working Party also stated that the administrative actions subject to review should also include any actions required to be reviewed under the relevant provisions of the TRIPS Agreement and the GATS. These members stated that such tribunals should be independent of the agencies entrusted with administrative enforcement of the matter and should not have any substantial interest in the outcome of the matter.
77. Those members of the Working Party stated that such review procedures should include the opportunity for appeal, without penalty, by individuals or enterprises affected by any administrative action subject to review. If an initial right of appeal were to an administrative body, there should be an opportunity to choose to make a further appeal to a judicial body. Any decision by any appellate body and the reasons therefore would be communicated in writing to the appellant, together with notification of any right to further appeal.
78. The representative of China confirmed that it would revise its relevant laws and regulations so that its relevant domestic laws and regulations would be consistent with the requirements of the WTO Agreement and the Protocol on procedures for judicial review of administrative actions. He further stated that the tribunals responsible for such reviews would be impartial and independent of the agency entrusted with administrative enforcement, and would not have any substantial interest in the outcome of the matter. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
79. In response to questions from certain members of the Working Party, the representative of China confirmed that administrative actions related to the implementation of laws, regulations, judicial decisions and administrative rulings of general application referred to in Article X:1 of the GATT 1994, Article VI of the GATS and the relevant provisions of the TRIPS Agreement included those relating to the implementation of national treatment, conformity assessment, the regulation, control, supply or promotion of a service, including the grant or denial of a licence to provide a service and other matters, and that such administrative actions would be subject to the procedures established for prompt review under Section 2(D)(2) of the Protocol, and information on such procedures would be a