Administrative Provisions on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (Revised in 2016)

Administrative Provisions on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (Revised in 2016)
Administrative Provisions on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises (Revised in 2016)

Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 666

February 6, 2016

(Promulgated by Order of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No. 333 on December 11, 2001, first revised in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Revising the Administrative Provisions on Foreign-Invested Telecommunications Enterprises on September 10, 2008, and revised again in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Revising Some Administrative Measures on February 6, 2016)

Article 1 For the purpose of satisfying the need to open up the telecommunications industry to the outside world and promoting the development of the telecommunications industry, these Provisions are formulated in accordance with the relevant laws and administrative regulations concerning foreign investment and the Telecommunications Regulations of the People's Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the "Telecommunications Regulations").

Article 2 A foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise refers to an enterprise lawfully established by Chinese and foreign investors within the territory of the People's Republic of China by way of a Chinese-foreign equity joint venture to engage in telecommunications services.

Article 3 Foreign-invested telecommunications enterprises shall, in addition to observing these Provisions in their telecommunications business activities, abide by the provisions of the Telecommunications Regulations and other relevant laws and administrative regulations.

Article 4 Foreign-invested telecommunications enterprises may engage in basic telecommunications services and value-added telecommunications services, the specific business classifications for which shall be subject to the provisions of the Telecommunications Regulations.
The geographical areas in which foreign-invested telecommunications enterprises may conduct business shall be determined by the industry and information technology department under the State Council in accordance with the relevant provisions.

Article 5 The registered capital of a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise shall comply with the following provisions:
1. The minimum registered capital for any enterprise that provides basic telecommunications services throughout the country or across different provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the central government shall be CNY1 billion, and for any enterprise that provides value-added telecommunications services, shall be CNY10 million;
2. The minimum registered capital for any enterprise that provides basic telecommunications services within a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the central government shall be CNY100 million, and for any enterprise that provides value-added telecommunications services, shall be CNY1 million.

Article 6 The proportion of capital contributed by the foreign investor(s) in a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise that is engaged in basic telecommunications services (other than radio paging services) shall not ultimately exceed 49%.
The proportion of capital contributed by the foreign investor(s) in a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise that is engaged in value-added telecommunications services (including radio paging business as part of its basic telecommunications services) shall not ultimately exceed 50%.
The proportion of capital contributed by the Chinese and foreign investors in a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise at different stages shall be determined by the industry and information technology department under the State Council in accordance with the relevant provisions.

Article 7 In order to engage in telecommunications business, a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise shall not only meet the requirements specified in Articles 4, 5 and 6 of these Measures, but shall also meet those specified in the Telecommunications Regulations for engaging in basic telecommunications business or value-added telecommunications business.

Article 8 The major Chinese investor in a foreign-invested telecommunications enterprise that is engaged in basic telecommunications business shall meet the following requirements:
1.
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