山西省经济贸易委员会、大同市新荣区人民政府与大同市北方矿业有限责任公司吊销许可证纠纷上诉案
 
 

法公布(2000)第28号

中华人民共和国最高人民法院

行 政 判 决 书

(1999)行终字第11号

 

上诉人(一审被告)山西省经济贸易委员会,住所地:山西省太原市府东街。

  法定代表人张泽宇,该委员会主任。

  委托代理人温元伟,该委员会干部。

  委托代理人郭志甫,山西省泽华律师事务所律师。

  上诉人(一审第三人)山西省大同市新荣区人民政府,住所地:山西省大同市新荣区府西街。

  法定代表人董变英,该区区长。 委托代理人杨权,山西省大同市新荣区经济贸易委员会主任。

  委托代理人高志刚,大同市新荣区律师事务所律师。

  被上诉人(一审原告)大同市北方矿业有限责任公司,住所地:山西省大同市新荣区堡子湾。

  法定代表人姚玉士,该公司总经理。

  委托代理人顾玉玺,该公司职员。

  委托代理人武晓英,该公司职员。

  山西省经济贸易委员会(以下简称省经贸委)和山西省大同市新荣区人民政府(以下简称新荣区人民政府)不服山西省高级人民法院对大同市北方矿业有限责任公司(以下简称北方公司)诉省经贸委吊销许可证一案所作的(1998)晋行初字第1号行政判决,向本院提起上诉。本院依法组成由审判员周红耕担任审判长,代理审判员马永欣、杨临萍参加的合议庭,书记员王振宇担任记录,公开开庭审理了本案。上诉人省经贸委委托代理人温元伟、郭志甫,上诉人新荣区人民政府委托代理人高志刚,被上诉人北方公司法定代表人姚玉士及其委托代理人顾玉玺、武晓英到庭参加诉讼。本案现已审理终结。

  经审理查明:1997年7月2日,大同市联运总公司向山西省大同市经济委员会(以下简称市经委)和山西省大同市人民政府煤炭领导组(以下简称市煤炭领导组)申请成立"堡子湾发煤站"。同年9月9日,市煤炭领导组以同政煤字(1997)第15号文通知山西省大同市工商行政管理局,同意成立大同市堡子湾联运发煤站,明确发煤站为具有法人资格的股份制企业,并要求接到通知后尽快办理注册登记和有关手续。同年9月12日,大同市联运总公司(全民所有制企业)、大同市四海建筑防水工程处(集体所有制企业)、大同市新同工矿配件供应站(集体所有制企业)经协商,决定共同出资50万元组建股份制公司,经营煤炭、煤制品、非金属矿产品运销业务。

  根据当事人的申请,山西省大同市工商行政管理局依据《中华人民共和国公司法》和《中华人民共和国公司登记管理条例》的规定,将所申请成立的公司名称核准为"大同市北方矿业有限责任公司",同年9月26日,为该公司核发了《企业法人营业执照》,经营期限为一年。

  同年10月10日,大同市联运总公司向市煤炭领导组报送《关于成立"大同市北方矿业有限责任公司"并领取煤炭发运和经营许可证的报告》。同年10月15日,市煤炭领导组向山西省人民政府煤炭领导组(以下简称省煤炭领导组)报送了同政煤字(1997)第18号《关于领取堡子湾煤炭发运站和大同市北方矿业有限责任公司煤炭发运和经营许可证的报告》。同年10月29日,省经贸委作出晋经贸能字[1997]589号《关于同意大同市北方矿业有限责任公司领取〈煤炭经营许可证〉及堡子湾煤炭发运站〈煤炭发运许可证〉的批复》,主要内容是:根据山西省人民政府办公厅晋政办发[1995]7号、省煤炭领导组晋政煤字[1996]2号文件规定,经研究并报请省政府领导,同意北方公司通过铁路立户在呼和浩特铁路局堡子湾煤炭发运站发运煤炭并领取《煤炭经营许可证》和堡子湾煤炭发运站《煤炭发运许可证》,该发煤站租赁后由北方公司和大同市煤炭运销分公司按股份制进行经营管理,发煤站及北方公司煤炭运销计划纳入大同市煤炭运销分公司行业管理。次日,北方公司领取了晋经能证字(1997)第486号《煤炭经营许可证》和第481号《煤炭发运许可证》(以下简称"两证")。同年12月8日,大同市工商行政管理局为北方公司换发了《企业法人营业执照》,经营期限为五年。 北方公司成立后,在堡子湾煤炭发运站发煤时遭到新荣区煤炭运销公司的阻拦。1997年11月20日、26日,新荣区人民政府就北方公司在新荣区堡子湾乡设立发煤站一事,分别向山西省煤炭检查组和省煤炭领导组反映并提出异议称:堡子湾发煤站是由新荣区8个乡镇利用堡子湾车站在新荣区境内这一特有条件,共同与呼和浩特铁路局多种经营总公司集宁多种经营公司联营创办的,后又与山西省投资公司联营投资建设了900米的发煤专用线。堡子湾发煤站从开始运营至今已有9年时间,但由于该站发运手续不够齐全,从1996年底,开始进行停业整顿。整顿期间,实行"边运营、边规范、边补办手续"的政策,目前,该站运营的有关环节已逐步理顺。经征得山西省煤炭检查组的同意,将堡子湾发煤站划归新荣区煤炭运销公司托管和经营,由新荣区煤炭运销公司牵头,吸收8个乡镇入股,改制为股份制公司,有关证件正在办理。现北方公司在此设站,办理了营运手续,严重干扰了整顿秩序,影响了区、乡的既得利益,不利于煤炭市场的统一管理,伤害了所在地群众的感情。同年12月26日,市煤炭领导组向省煤炭领导组报送了同政煤字(1997)19号《关于领取大同市新荣区堡子湾发煤站"煤炭发运许可证"和"煤炭经营许可证"的报告》,申请为新荣区煤炭运销公司核发"两证"。同年12月29日,市经委向省经贸委报告称:因具体承办人员没能深入调查了解(有关情况),上报由北方公司租用堡子湾发煤站经营管理显然不妥,请求将堡子湾《煤炭发运许可证》更改为大同市新荣区堡子湾《煤炭发运许可证》,该站由新荣区煤炭运销公司直接经营管理。1998年1月,省经贸委经调查认为:由于市煤炭领导组事先未将情况核实清楚,批准为北方公司申领"两证",致使与新荣区的既得利益发生冲突,引发双方的矛盾纠纷。为此,提出为新荣区煤炭运销公司核发堡子湾发煤站的《煤炭发运许可证》,先收回为北方公司核发的《煤炭发运许可证》,待市煤炭领导组重新认定后原则同意北方公司可经营煤炭,由堡子湾站代发。因北方公司未交回《煤炭发运许可证》,1998年3月20日,省经贸委作出晋经贸能字(1998)90号《关于同意新荣区煤运公司经营管理堡子湾发煤站并领取该发煤站〈煤炭发运许可证〉的批复》(以下简称《批复》),以"鉴于堡子湾发煤站建站发煤的历史原因"为由,作出三条批复意见,其中第二条内容为:从发文之日起,吊销原发给北方公司的481号堡子湾煤炭发运站的《煤炭发运许可证》和486号《煤炭经营许可证》。有关工商行政管理部门据此核销该公司的煤炭运销经营资格;有关煤炭运销单位,铁路运输部门不得为其提报煤炭运输计划并安排运输。

  北方公司不服省经贸委晋经贸能字(1998)90号《批复》第二条中吊销"两证"的决定,向山西省高级人民法院提起行政诉讼。

  一审法院经审理认为,"暂扣或吊销许可证"是《中华人民共和国行政处罚法》(以下简称《行政处罚法》)明确设定的一种行政处罚,省经贸委及其代理人以吊销北方公司的许可证是自行纠正不当发证的行为,不属行政处罚为由进行辩解,没有法律依据,其理由不能成立。被告虽辩称"吊销许可证"是行文中"用词不当",但却不予纠正,故被告应对该处罚行为承担相应的法律责任。省经贸委所举证据证明,吊销北方公司的两证是"鉴于堡子湾发煤站建站发煤的历史原因",未能举出北方公司违法经营应予处罚的事实依据;在作出处罚之前未告知北方公司据以作出处罚的事实、理由、依据和北方公司依法享有的权利,亦未告知北方公司有要求听证的权利,且所作处罚未制作行政处罚决定书送达当事人,违反了法定程序,故该处罚行为不能成立,依法应予撤销。依据《中华人民共和国行政诉讼法》第五十四条第(二)项第1、2、3目、《行政处罚法》第三十条、第三十一条、第三十九条、第四十二条第一款之规定,判决撤销山西省经贸委晋经贸能字(1998)90号《关于同意新荣区煤运公司经营管理堡子湾发煤站并领取该发煤站〈煤炭发运许可证〉的批复》的第二条,一审诉讼费2490元,由山西省经济贸易委员会负担。

  上诉人省经贸委不服一审判决,向本院上诉称:省经贸委是山西省人民政府根据煤炭法授权审批煤炭经营和发煤站的行政部门,所作的晋经贸能字(1998)90号《批复》第二条中"吊销"二字是用词不规范;吊销原发给大同北方公司的"两证"是针对其领证前隐瞒事实真相,虚构审批条件,骗取"两证"行为的纠正,不是对北方公司领证后行为不规范的行政处罚。一审法院将该批复认定为行政处罚,并按行政处罚判决,是不当的。

上诉人新荣区人民政府上诉称:大同市新荣区在堡子湾已有九年的发煤历史,新荣区煤炭运销公司是堡子湾发煤站唯一合法的经营单位,北方公司申领"两证"不仅没有资格,而且采取了弄虚作假的手段,因此,省经贸委撤销原发给北方公司的"两证"是完全正确的;省经贸委撤销原错发给北方公司的"两证",误用"吊销"二字,一审法院将之认定为行政处罚行为显系不当,因而,一审判决适用《行政处罚法》第三十条、第三十一条、第三十九条、第四十二条第一款之规定都是错误的。

  被上诉人北方公司辩称:被上诉人依法获得批准并领取了"两证"。省经贸委作出的晋经贸能字(1998)90号《批复》,以"鉴于堡子湾发煤站建站发煤的历史原因"为由,吊销了发给被上诉人的"两证",违反了《行政处罚法》第三十条和第三十一条的规定。省经贸委在作出处罚之前,既未告知处罚被上诉人的事实、理由和依据,亦未告知被上诉人应有的陈述权、申辩权、要求听证权、请求复议权等依法享有的权利,更未制作也未送达行政处罚决定书,违反了《行政处罚法》第三十九条、第四十条、第四十一条、第四十二条规定的法定程序。一审判决并无不当,请求予以维持。

  以上事实,有大同市联运总公司《关于成立堡子湾发煤站的请示报告》、市煤炭领导组同政煤字(1997)第15号《关于成立堡子湾发煤站的通知》、《关于组建"大同市北方矿业有限责任公司"的申请报告》、企业法人营业执照(97)、企业法人营业执照(95)、出资决定书、公司名称预先核准申请书、北方公司第一次股东会纪要、市煤炭领导组同政煤字(1997)第18号《关于领取堡子湾煤炭发运站和大同市北方矿业有限责任公司煤炭发运和经营许可证的报告》、省经贸委晋经贸能字[1997]589号《批复》、481号《煤炭发运许可证》和486号《煤炭经营许可证》、1998年6月5日协调会经过说明、1998年4月30日协调会情况说明、1997年新荣区人民政府区长办公会议纪要第4期、新荣区煤炭运销公司新煤运字(1997)19号文、新荣区人民政府新政发(1997)94号文、新荣区人民政府新政发(1997)99号文、市煤炭领导组同政煤字(1997)第19号文、市经委同经能交字(1997)186号文、省经贸委晋经贸能字(1998)90号《批复》等证据为证,足以认定。

  本院认为,根据《行政处罚法》第八条的规定,"吊销许可证"是一种行政处罚。上诉人省经贸委晋经贸能字(1998)90号《批复》中作出吊销被上诉人北方公司"两证"的行为属行政处罚,应按《行政处罚法》的有关规定实施。根据《行政处罚法》第三十条关于"公民、法人或者其他组织违反行政管理秩序的行为,依法应当给予行政处罚的,行政机关必须查明事实;违法事实不清的,不得给予行政处罚"的规定,上诉人省经贸委没有认定北方公司存在违法应予处罚的事实,而是以"鉴于堡子湾发煤站建站发煤的历史原因"为由,吊销北方公司的"两证"属"违法事实不清"。上诉人省经贸委作出上述处罚时,未告知北方公司据以作出处罚的事实、理由和依据及其依法享有的权利,所作处罚未制作行政处罚决定书,亦未送达当事人,违反了《行政处罚法》第三十一条、第三十二条、第三十九条、第四十一条、第四十二条第一款的规定。上诉人省经贸委在诉讼中提出北方公司在办理"两证"过程中有欺骗行为,并有注册资金不到位、私刻公章等违法行为,但所述事实并非上诉人省经贸委所作处罚中认定的事实,其相关证据是上诉人作出处罚后调取的,故不能作为本案的定案根据。上诉人省经贸委虽然提出晋经贸能字(1998)90号《批复》第二条中"吊销"二字是用词不规范,不是对北方公司的行政处罚,但其作出该批复后一直未予纠正,一审审理中,法庭允许省经贸委对其"用词不规范"的行为予以纠正,而省经贸委却未予纠正,故该辩解理由不能成立。

  综上,上诉人省经贸委作出吊销北方公司"两证"的处罚,认定事实不清,主要证据不足,违反法定程序,依法应予撤销。上诉人的上诉理由不能成立,本院不予支持。一审判决认定事实清楚,适用法律、法规正确,审理程序合法。本院根据《中华人民共和国行政诉讼法》第五十四条第(二)项第1、3目、第六十一条第(一)项的规定,判决如下:

  驳回上诉,维持原判。

  二审诉讼费2490元,由上诉人山西省经济贸易委员会和上诉人大同市新荣区人民政府各负担1245元。

  本判决为终审判决。

 

 

审 判 长 周红耕

代理审判员 马永欣

代理审判员 杨临萍

二○○○年七月七日

书 记 员王振宇

 

 
【Title】Economic and Trade Committee of Shanxi Province v North Mining Co., Ltd of Datong Municipality
【Judgement No.】Fa Gong Bu (2000) No.28
【Date of Conclusion of Hearing】2000-07-07
【Catalog】Administrative Cases
【Level】Administrative Appeal
   
     

Appellant (Defendant of the first instance): the Economic and Trade Committee of Shanxi Province
Domicile: Fudong St., Taiyuan, Shanxi Province
Legal Representative: Zhang Zeyu, director of the said committee
Entrusted Agent: Wen Yuanwei, cadre of the said committee
Entrusted Agent: Guo Zhifu, an attorney of Shanxi Zehua Law Firm

Appellant (a third party in the first instance): the Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District, Datong Municipality of Shanxi Province
Domicile: Fuxi St., Xinrong District, Datong, Shanxi Province
Legal Representative: Dong Bianying, head of the said district
Entrusted Agent: Yang Quan, director of the Economic and Trade Committee of Shanxi Province
Entrusted Agent: Gao Zhigang, attorney of Datong Xinrong Law Firm

Respondent (plaintiff in the first instance): the North Mining Co., Ltd of Datong Municipality
Domicile: Baoziwan, Xinrong District, Datong, Shanxi Province
Legal Representative: Yao Yushi, general manager of the said company
Entrusted Agent: Gu Yuxi, staff member of the said company
Entrusted Agent: Wu Xiaoying, staff member of the said company


The Economic and Trade Committee of Shanxi Province (hereinafter referred to as the ¨Provincial Economic and Trade Committee〃) and the Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District, Datong Municipality of Shanxi Province (hereinafter referred to as the ¨Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District〃) lodged an appeal to this Court due to refusal  to comply with the administrative judgment (1999) Jing Xing Chu Zi No.1 rendered by the High Peopleˇs Court of Shanxi Province on the case, in which the North Mining Co., Ltd of Datong Municipality (hereinafter referred to as the ¨North Company〃) claimed against the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee as to the revocation of business license.  This Court set upa collegiate bench according to law, where Judge Zhong Honggeng acted as the chief judge with the participation of acting judge Ma Yongxin and Yang Liping, opened a court session and triedthis case in public.  Wen Yuanwei and Guo Zhifu, the agents of the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, and Yao Yushi, the legal representative of the North Company and its entrusted agents, Gu Yuxi and Wu Xiaoying, appeared in court for the litigation.  This case has been closed.

It was found out upon trial that the Through Transport Company of Datong Municipality applied to the Economic and Trade Committee of Datong Municipality of Shanxi Province (hereinafter referred to as the ¨Municipal Economic and Trade Committee〃) and the coal leading group of the Peopleˇs Government of Datong Municipality of Shanxi Province (hereinafter referred to as the ¨coal leading group〃) on 2nd July 1997 for the incorporation of ¨Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station〃.  On 9th September that year, the coal-leading group notified the Administrative Bureau for Industry and Commerce of Datong Municipality, Shanxi Province in its No.15 Document Tong Zheng Mei Zi (1997), granting the incorporation of Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station and verifying the station as a joint-stock enterprise with the status of a legal person, and demanded the procedures for registration be handled as quickly as possible upon notification.  On 12th September that year, the Through Transport Company of Datong Municipality (an enterprise owned by the whole people), Sihai Building Waterproof Engineering Department of Datong Municipality (an enterprise under collective ownership) and Xitong Industrial and Mining Fittings Supply Depot of Datong Municipality (an enterprise under collective ownership) decided through negotiation to contribute RMB 500,000 to incorporate a joint-stock company engaged in coal, coal products and transportation and sale of nonferrous mineral products.

The Administrative Bureau for Industry and Commerce of Datong Municipality, Shanxi Province examined and approved the name of the company which is applied for incorporation according to the application of the parties such as the ¨North Mining Co., Ltd〃 on the basis of the provisions as specified in the Company Law of the People's Republic of China and the Administrative Regulations of the People's Republic of China on the Registration of Companies.  The bureau issued upon verification the Business License for Legal Person of Enterprise to the said company on 26th September of the same year, and the operating period shall be one year.

On 10th October that year, the Through Transport Company of Datong Municipality submitted to the municipal coal leading group the Report on Incorporating the North Mining Co., Ltd and Obtaining the License for Transportation and Operation of Coal.  On 15th October that year, the municipal coal leading group submitted to the coal leading group of the Peopleˇs Government of Shanxi Province (hereinafter referred to as the ¨provincial coal leading group〃) the Report on Obtaining the License for Transportation and Operation of Coal for Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station and the North Mining Co., Ltd Tong Zheng Mei Zi (1997) No.18.  On 29th October that year, the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee rendered the Reply on Approving the North Mining Co., Ltd of Datong Municipality to Obtain ¨License for Coal Operation〃 and Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station the ¨License for Delivery Coal〃 Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi No.589 to the effect that in accordance with he provisions of the Document Jing Ban Fa [1995] No.7 issued by the Peopleˇs Government of Shanxi Province and the Document Jing Zheng Mei Zi [1996] No.2 issued by the provincial coal leading group, upon review and the approval after the report to the leaders of the provincial government, we thereby permit the North Company to deliver coal upon railway registration at Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station under Hohhot Railway Bureau and obtain the License for Coal Operation and License for Coal Delivery at Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station.  The North Company and the Branch Company for the Transportation and Sale of Coal of Datong Municipality managed the said delivery station under joint stock system after the station was leased.  The Branch Company for the Transportation and Sale of Coal of Datong Municipality brought the plan for transportation and sale of coal of the coal delivery station and the North Company into its industrial management.  The next day the North Company obtained the License for Coal Operation Jing Jing Neng Zi (1997) No.486 and the License for Coal Delivery No.481 (hereinafter referred to as the ¨two licenses〃).  On 8th December that year, the Administrative Bureau for Industry and Commerce of Datong Municipality reissued the Business License for a Legal Person of Enterprise for the North Company with an operating period of five years.

After the incorporation of the North Company, while delivering coal, the Coal Transportation and Sale Company of Xinrong District stopped Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station from doing so.  On 20th and 26th of November 1997, the Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District submitted reports respectively to the Coal Inspection Team of Shanxi Province and the Provincial Coal Leading Team and made objections as to the incorporation of a coal delivery station by the North Company at Baoziwan Township, which read as follows: 8 townships and towns of Xinrong District established Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station through association with Jining Diversified Operation Company under the Diversified Operation Controlling Company of Hohhot Railway Bureau by taking advantage of the location of Baoziwan Station within Xinrong District.  Later, they invested and set up 900-meter railroad special for delivery of coal through association with the Investment Company of Shanxi Company.  It has been 9 years since Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station started its operation.  Due to incomplete procedures for coal delivery, the said station suspended its business for internal rectification since the end of 1996.  During this period, the policy was adopted that ¨operation, regulation and completion of procedures taking place at the same time〃.  At present, the stages in relation to operation of the said station were gradually kept on the track.  Upon the approval of Coal Inspection Team of Shanxi Province, Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station was placed under the trusteeship and operation of the Coal Transportation and Sale Company of Xinrong District.  Led by the said Company, the 8 townships and towns involved became shareholders of the newly incorporated joint-stock company.  The procedures for the relevant licenses are just under way.  Now the North Company set up a station here and handled the procedures for operation coal resulting in the serious disturbance of the order of rectification and the harm of the vested interests of the district and townships.  This act goes against the unified management of the coal market and hurts the feelings of the local people.  On 26th December that year, the Municipal Coal Leading Group submitted to the provincial coal leading group the Report on Obtaining the License for Delivery of Coal and the License for Operation of Coal for Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station Tong Zheng Mei Zi (1997) No.19, applying for issuing upon examination the ¨two licenses〃 to the Coal Transportation and Sale Company of Xinrong District.  On 29th October that year, the Municipal Economic and Trade Committee submitted a report to the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, which read as follows: as the persons in charge of matter failed to make a investigation for a deep understanding (into the relevant matters), it is obviously inappropriate to report for the North Company to hold Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station by lease for its operation and management; therefore, we request to change the License for Coal Delivery for Baoziwan to the License for Coal Delivery for Baoziwan of Xinrong District of Datong Municipality, placing the said station under the direct operation and management of Coal Transportation and Sale Company of Xinrong District.  In January 1998, the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee believed upon investigation as follows: due to its failure to find outthe whole matter beforehand, the Municipal Coal Leading Group approved the application of the North Company for obtaining the ¨two licenses〃, resulting in its conflicts with Xinrong District concerning the vested interests and thereby causing the disputes between the two side hereto.  For this reason, the said Committee considered issuing after examination the License for Coal Delivery to the Coal Transportation and Sale Company of Xinrong District and withdrawing the License for Coal Delivery issued to the North Company.  Till the verification of the Municipal Coal Leading Group, the North Company was allowed in principle to deal in coal and Baoziwan Station shall grant the license thereof.  The North Company failed to return the License for Coal Delivery; therefore, the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee rendered the Reply on Allowing the Coal Transportation Company to Operate and Manage Baoziwan Delivery Station and Obtain the ¨License for Delivery Coal〃 for the Said Station Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No. 90 (hereinafter referred to as the ¨Reply〃); on the ground of ¨in terms of the historic reason that Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station was established for the delivery of coal〃, it rendered three opinions in the Reply, the second of which reads as follows: from the issuance date of this document, the License for Coal Delivery No. 481 and the License for Coal Operation No.486 for Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station issued to the North Company shall be revoked.  The administrative department for industry and commerce concerned shall revoke upon verification the qualification of the said company to transport and operate coal thereby; the units for transportation and sale of coal concerned shall neither plan nor arrange coal transportation for the said Company.

The North Company did not comply with the decision on revocation of the ¨two licenses〃 as specified in Article 2 of Reply Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No.90 and therefore brought an administrative lawsuit with the High Peopleˇs Court of Shanxi Province.

The court of first instance considered upon hearing that ¨temporary seizure or revocation licenses〃 shall be an administrative sanction as expressly specified in the Law of the People's Republic of China on Administrative Sanctions (hereafter referred to as the ¨Law on Administrative Sanctions〃).  The Provincial Economic and Trade Committee and its entrusted agents defended for itself on the ground that the revocation of North Companyˇs license is an act of correcting its own improper licensing instead of an administrative sanction; such defense is of no legal base and the reasons thereof cannot be justified.  The defendant defended in its statement that ¨revocation of license〃 is just ¨inappropriate choice of words〃 in wording, but it refused to make corrections.  Therefore, the defendant shall be liable for its corresponding legal liability for the sanction.  The Provincial Economic and Trade Committee adduced evidence to prove that the revocation of the two licenses of the North Company is ¨in terms of the historic reason that Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station was established for the delivery of coal 〃, but it fails to provide factual basis for the sanction imposed on North Company for its illegal operation; it failed to notify the North Company of the facts, reasons and basis for the sanction and the rights it shall be entitled to prior to the imposition of sanction, nor of the right the Company shall have to demand a hearing.  Furthermore, the said Committee failed to make out the written decision of administrative sanction and send it to the party in violation of legal procedures.  Therefore, the said sanction cannot be justified and shall therefore be revoked.  In accordance with the provisions of Items 1,2 and 3 Subparagraph (2) Article 54 of the Administrative Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, Articles 30, 31 and 39, and Paragraph I Article 42 of Law on Administrative Sanctions, the court of first instance rendered a judgment to revoke Article 2 of the Reply on Allowing the Coal Transportation Company of Xinrong District to Operate and Manage Baoziwan Delivery Station and Obtain the ¨License for Delivery Coal〃 for the Said Station Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No. 90 rendered by the Economic and Trade Committee of Shanxi Province; the said Committee shall bear the court cost for the first instance totaling RMB 2,490.

The Provincial Economic and Trade Committee as the appellant did not agree with the judgment of first instance, and lodged an appeal to this Court claiming that the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee is the administrative department in charge of the approval and examination of coal delivery and operation stations authorized by the Peopleˇs Government of Shanxi Province according to Coal Law; the word ¨revocation〃 as mentioned in Article 2 of the Reply Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No.98 it rendered is truly incorporate wording; it revoked the ¨two licenses〃 granted to the North Company for correcting the act conducted by the North Company of concealing the truth, falsifying conditions for examination and approval and defrauding the ¨two licenses〃 prior to the issuance of the licenses rather than administrative sanction against the nonstandard acts of the North Company after the issuance of licenses.  It is inappropriate for the court of first instance to consider the Reply as administrative sanction and to judge the case in terms of administrative sanction.

The Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District, an appellant hereto, claimed in its appeal that the Xinrong District has delivered coal for nine years in Baoziwan, and the Coal Transportation and Sale Company is the only lawful operating unit of Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station.  The North Company is not entitled to apply for the ¨two licenses〃 and it has resorted to falsification in obtaining the licenses.  Therefore, it is totally right for the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee to withdraw the ¨two licenses〃 previously issued to the North Company; in withdrawing the ¨two licenses〃 wrongfully issued to the North Company previously, the Provincial Economic, and Trade Committee used ¨revocation〃 by mistake.  It is apparently improper for the court of first instance to deem it as administrative sanction.  In consequence, it is wrong for the judgment in the trial of first instance to apply the provisions of Articles 30,31 and 39 and Paragraph I of Article 42 of the Law on Administrative Sanctions.

The North Company, the respondent hereto, stated in its defence: the respondent obtained the ¨two licenses〃 upon the approval according to law.  The Provincial Economic and Trade Committee rendered the Reply Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No. 90 and revoked the ¨two licenses〃 issued to the respondent on the grounds that ¨in terms of the historic reason that Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station was established for the delivery of coal〃 in violation of the provisions as specified in Articles 30 and 31 of the Law on Administrative Sanctions.  The said Committee did not notify the North Company of the facts, reasons and basis for the sanction nor its right to statement, to defense, to demand hearing, and to request reconsideration to which it shall be entitled, nor did it make out the written decision of administrative sanction nor send it to the party prior to the imposition of sanction in violation of legal procedures as specified in the provisions of Articles 39, 40, 41 and 42 of the Law on Administrative Sanctions.  The judgment in the trial of first instance was not inappropriate.  The respondent claims the affirmation of the judgment.

The above facts can be testified by the Report for Instructions on Incorporating Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station made by the Through Transport Company, the Notice on Incorporating Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station Tong Mei Zheng Zi (1997) No.15 issued by the Municipal Coal Leading Group, the Application Report on Incorporating the ¨North Co., Ltd of Datong Municipality〃, Business License for an Enterprise Legal Person (97), Business License for an Enterprise Legal Person (95), the Written Decision of Financial Contribution, Written Application on Preliminary Examination and Approval of Company Name, the Minutes of the First Shareholdersˇ Meeting of the North Company, the Report on Obtaining the Licenses for Coal Delivery and Operation for Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station and the North Mining Co., Ltd of Datong Municipality made by the Municipal Coal Leading Group, the Reply Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi No.589 made by the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, the License for Coal Delivery No.481, the License for Coal Operation No.486, the narration of the coordination meeting on 5th June 1998, the narration of the coordination meeting on 30th April1998, Issue 4 of the minutes of the office meeting of head of the Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District, the Document No.19 Xin Mei Yun Zi (1997) of the Coal Transportation and Sale Company of Xinrong District, the Document Xin Zheng Fa (1997) No.94 issued by the the Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District, the Document Xin Zheng Fa (1997) No.99 issued by the the Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District, the Document Tong Mei Zheng Zi (1997) No.19 issued by the Municipal Coal Leading Group, the Document Tong Jing Neng Jiao Zi (1997) No. 186 made by the Municipal Economic and Trade Committee, the Reply Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No. 90 made by the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee etc.  This evidence is conclusive and sufficient.

This Court believes that in accordance with the provisions of Article 8 of the Law on Administrative Sanctions, ¨revocation of licenses〃 is an administrative sanction.  The act by the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, an appellant, to revoke the ¨two licenses〃 of the North Company, the respondent, in the Reply Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No.90 shall be regarded as an administrative sanction, which shall be executed in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Law on Administrative Sanctions.  In accordance with the provisions as specified in Article 30 ¨where any act by a citizen, legal person or other organization in violation of the administrative order shall be subject to an administrative sanction, the administrative organ shall find out the facts thereof; if the illegal facts are unclear, no sanctions shall be given thereto〃, the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, an appellant hereto, failed to ascertain the fact that the North Company committed acts subject to an sanction, but revoked the two licenses of the North Company on the ground that ¨in terms of the historic reason that Baoziwan Coal Delivery Station was established for the delivery of coal〃.  Such revocation shall fall under ¨the illegal facts are unclear.〃  The Provincial Economic Committee did not notify the North Company of the facts, reasons and basis for the sanction nor its right to statement, to defense, to demand hearing, and to request reconsideration to which it shall be entitled, nor did it make out the written decision of administrative sanction nor send it to the party prior to the imposition of sanction in violation of legal procedures as specified in the provisions of Articles 39, 40, 41 and Paragraph I Article 42 of the Law on Administrative Sanctions.  The Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, the appellant hereto, stated in the proceeding that the North company committed fraud, and illegal acts such as failure to have enough registered capital, making an official seal without authorization during the course of obtaining the ¨two licenses〃; however, such facts as described by the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee are not the facts as verified to impose upon sanctions.  The appellant obtained the relevant evidence after its imposition of sanctions; therefore, the evidence shall not be regarded as the basis for giving this case the judgment.  The Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, the appellant hereto stated that the  ¨revocation of license〃 as mentioned in Article 2 of the Reply Jing Jing Mao Neng Zi (1998) No. 90 was ¨inappropriate choice of words〃, but it refused to make corrections rather than an administrative sanction imposed upon the North Company, but it failed to correct the Reply all along after it was rendered.  During the trial of first instance, the Court allowed the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee to correct its act of ¨nonstandard choice of words〃; however, the said committee never did so; therefore, the reason for defence shall not be justified.

To conclude, as to the sanction on the revocation of the ¨two licenses〃 of the North Company imposed by the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee, the facts to determine the sanction are unclear, and there is a lack of principal evidence.  The sanction has violated the legal procedures and therefore shall be removed according to law.  The reason for the appeal filed by the appellant cannot be justified, and this Court shall not affirm it.  The facts were clearly ascertained, the application of laws and regulations was correct and the trial procedures were lawful in the judgment of first instance.  This Court, in accordance with Items (1) and (3) of Subparagraph (2) Article 54 and Item (1) of Article 61 of the Administrative Procedure Law of the People's Republic of China, enters a judgment as follows:

The appeal be rejected and the original judgment be affirmed.

The court cost for second instance amounts to RMB 2,490, for which the Provincial Economic and Trade Committee of Shanxi Province and the Peopleˇs Government of Xinrong District of Datong Municipality, the appellants hereto shall pay RMB 1,245 respectively.

This judgment be final.

Chief Judge:  Zhou Honggeng
Acting Judge:  Ma Yongxin
Acting Judge:  Yan Linping

On this 7th day of July 2000

Judicial Clerk:  Wang Zhengyu






 
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