|
PRC, Company Law
(3rd Revision)
(Adopted at the
5th Session of the Standing Committee of the 8th National People's
Congress on 29 December 1993; first amendment made by the <Amending
the <<PRC, Company Law>> Decision> at the 13th Session of the
Standing Committee of the 9th National People's Congress on 25
December 1999; second amendment made by the <Amending the <<PRC,
Company Law>> Decision> at the 11th Session of the Standing
Committee of the 10th National People's Congress on 28 August 2004;
third amendment adopted at the 18th Session of the Standing
Committee of the 10th National People's Congress and promulgated on
27 October 2005, and effective as of 1 January 2006. )
PART ONE: GENERAL
PROVISIONS
Article
1:
This Law is formulated in order to standardize the organization and
activities of companies, protect the lawful rights and interests of
companies, shareholders and creditors, safeguard the social and
economic order and promote the development of the socialist market
economy.
Article
2:
For the purposes of this Law, the term "companies" shall mean
limited liability companies and companies limited by shares
established pursuant to this Law in China.
Article
3:
A company is an enterprise legal person, has independent legal
person properties and enjoys legal person property rights. A company
shall be liable for its debts to the extent of all of its property.
A shareholder
of a limited liability company shall be liable to the company to the
extent of the capital contribution it subscribes. A shareholder of a
company limited by shares shall be liable to the company to the
extent of the shares it subscribes.
Article
4:
The shareholders of a company shall enjoy such rights as earnings
from assets, participation in major decision making and selection of
management personnel according to law.
Article
5:
When engaging in business activities, a company must abide by laws
and administrative regulations, observe social morals and business
ethics, act in good faith, accept supervision by the government and
the public, and bear social responsibilities.
The lawful
rights and interests of companies shall be protected by law and
shall not be infringed upon.
Article
6:
To establish a company, an application for registration of
establishment shall be made to the company registry according to
law. If the conditions of establishment specified herein are met,
the applicant shall be registered by the company registry as a
limited liability company or a company limited by shares. If the
conditions for establishment specified herein are not met, it may
not be registered as a limited liability company or a company
limited by shares.
If laws or
administrative regulations stipulate that the establishment of a
company must be subject to approval, approval procedures must be
carried out according to law prior to the company’s registration.
The public may
apply to the company registry to inquire the registered matters of a
company, and the company registry shall provide inquiry services.
Article
7:
A company established according to law shall be issued a company
business licence by the company registry. The date of issue of the
company business licence shall be the date of establishment of the
company.
The company
business licence shall specify items such as the name, domicile,
registered capital, paid-up capital, scope of business and the name
of the legal representative of the company.
If there is a
change in an item recorded in the company business licence, the
company shall carry out change registration and its business licence
shall be replaced by the company registry.
Article
8:
A limited liability company established in accordance with this Law
must carry the words "limited liability company" or “limited
company” in the company name.
A company
limited by shares established in accordance with this Law must carry
the words "company limited by shares" or “joint stock company” in
the company name.
Article
9:
If a limited liability company is to be converted into a company
limited by shares, it shall meet the conditions for companies
limited by shares stipulated herein. If a company limited by shares
is to be converted into a limited liability company, it shall meet
the conditions for limited liability companies stipulated herein.
If a limited
liability company is converted into a company limited by shares, or
if a company limited by shares is converted into a limited liability
company, the claims and debts of the company prior to the conversion
shall be inherited by the company after the conversion.
Article
10:
The domicile of a
company shall be the place where its main administrative
organization is located.
Article 11:
To establish a company, the articles of association must be
formulated according to law. A company's articles of association
shall be binding upon the company, shareholders, directors,
supervisors and senior management personnel.
Article 12:
The scope of business of a company shall be specified in the
articles of association of the company and shall be registered
according to law. A company may amend its articles of association
and changes the scope of business, but it shall carry out change
registration.
Items within the
scope of business of a company that are subject to approval
according to the stipulations of laws or administrative regulations
shall be subject to approval according to law.
Article 13:
The office of legal representative of a company shall be served by
the chairman of the board, the executive director or the manager of
the company as stipulated in the articles of association of the
company and shall be registered according to law. If there is a
change in the legal representative of the company, change
registration shall be carried out.
Article
14:
A company may establish branches. To establish a branch, application
shall be made to the company registry for registration and a
business licence shall be obtained. A branch does not have the
status of a legal person and its civil liability shall be borne by
the company.
A company may
establish subsidiaries. A subsidiary has the status of a legal
person and independently bears civil liability according to law.
Article
15:
A company may invest in other enterprises; however, unless
stipulated otherwise by law, it may not become an investor that
bears joint and several liability for the debts of the enterprise in
which it invests.
Article
16:
If a company invests in another enterprise or provides security for
another party, a resolution shall be passed by the board of
directors or by the shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’ general
meeting according to the provisions of the articles of association
of the company. If the articles of association of the company
stipulate a limit on the total amount of investment or security and
the amount of a single investment or security, the stipulated limits
may not be exceeded.
If a company
provides security for a shareholder or the de facto controlling
person of the company, a resolution of the shareholders’ meeting or
shareholders’ general meeting must be passed.
A shareholder
that falls under the preceding paragraph or that is controlled by a
de facto controlling person falling under the preceding paragraph
may not participate in the resolution on the matters stipulated in
the preceding paragraph. Such resolution shall be adopted by more
than half of the voting rights held by the other shareholders
present at the meeting.
Article
17:
A company must protect the lawful rights and interests of its staff
and workers, and sign labour contracts with its staff and workers,
participate in social insurance, strengthen labour protection and
achieve safe production according to law.
A company shall
use various methods to strengthen the vocational education and
on-the-job training of its staff and workers so as to improve the
quality of the staff and workers.
Article
18:
The staff and workers of a company shall organize a labour union and
carry out labour union activities in accordance with the PRC,
Labour Union Law to protect the lawful rights and interests of
the staff and workers. The company shall provide its labour union
with the necessary conditions for its activities. The labour union
of the company shall sign collective contracts on behalf of the
staff and workers with the company on matters such as labour
remuneration, working hours, welfare, insurance and labour safety
and health of the staff and workers according to law.
A company shall
implement democratic management through the staff and workers’
congress or other means in accordance with the provisions of the
Constitution and related laws.
When a company
studies and decides on restructuring and major issues concerning its
business operation or formulates major rules, regulations and
systems, it shall listen to the opinions of the labour union of the
company, and also the opinions and suggestions of the staff and
workers through the staff and workers’ congress or other means.
Article
19:
In a company, an organization of the Communist Party of China shall
be established to carry out the activities of the party in
accordance with the charter of the Communist Party of China. The
company shall provide the necessary conditions for the activities of
the party organization.
Article
20:
The shareholders of a company shall abide by laws, administrative
regulations and the articles of association of the company and
exercise shareholder’s rights according to law, and may not abuse
shareholder’s rights to harm the interests of the company or other
shareholders, or abuse the independent status of the company legal
person and the limited liability of shareholders to harm the
interests of the creditors of the company.
If a
shareholder of the company abuses its shareholder’s rights, thereby
causing losses to the company or other shareholders, the shareholder
shall be liable for compensation according to law.
If a
shareholder of the company abuses the independent status of the
company legal person and the limited liability of shareholders to
evade debts and seriously harms the interests of the creditors of
the company, it shall bear joint and several liability for the debts
of the company.
Article
21:
The controlling shareholder, de facto controlling person, directors,
supervisors and senior management personnel of a company may not use
their affiliation to harm the interests of the company.
Anyone that
violates the provisions of the preceding paragraph and causes losses
to the company shall be liable for compensation.
Article
22:
A resolution of the shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’ general
meeting or the board of directors of a company shall be void if its
contents are in violation of laws or administrative regulations.
If the
procedure for convening the shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’
general meeting or the meeting of the board of directors, or the
method of voting violates laws, administrative regulations or the
articles of association of the company, or if the contents of a
resolution violate the articles of association of the company, a
shareholder may, within 60 days of the adoption of the resolution,
petition to a people’s court for cancellation of resolution.
If the
shareholder institutes proceedings pursuant to the preceding
paragraph, the people’s court may, at the request of the company,
require the shareholder to provide a corresponding security.
If the company has
carried out change registration in accordance with the resolution of
the shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’ general meeting or the
board of directors, the company shall apply to the company registry
for cancellation of the change registration after the people’s court
declares the resolution invalid or cancels the resolution.
PART TWO:
ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF LIMITED LIABILITY
COMPANIES
Section
One: Establishment
Article 23:
The following conditions shall be fulfilled for the establishment of
a limited liability company:
1.
the number
of shareholders conforms to the statutory number;
2.
the capital
contribution of the shareholders reach the minimum amount
of statutory capital;
3.
the
shareholders have jointly formulated the company's articles of
association;
4.
the company
has a name and an organizational structure established in conformity
with the requirements for limited liability companies; and
5.
the company
has a domicile.
Article 24:
A limited liability company shall be invested in and established by
no more than 50 shareholders.
Article 25:
The articles of association of limited liability companies shall
specify the following particulars:
1.
the name
and domicile of the company;
2.
the scope
of business of the company;
3.
the
registered capital of the company;
4.
the names
of shareholders;
5.
the method,
amount and time of capital contribution by the shareholders;
6.
the
organization of the company and its methods of establishment,
functions and powers, and rules of procedure;
7.
the legal
representative of the company; and
8.
other
matters that the shareholders deem necessary to be specified.
Shareholders shall
sign and affix their seals to the company’s articles of association.
Article
26:
The registered capital of a limited liability company shall be the
capital contributions subscribed by all shareholders as registered
with the company registry. The amount of the initial capital
contribution of all shareholders of the company may not be less than
20% of the registered capital or less than the statutory minimum
registered capital, and the rest of the registered capital shall be
fully paid by the shareholders within two years of the date of
establishment of the company. In the case of an investment company,
it may be paid in full within five years.
The minimum
registered capital of a limited liability company is
Rmb 30,000. Where laws
or administrative regulations stipulate a higher amount for the
minimum registered capital of a limited liability company, such
stipulation shall prevail.
Article
27:
Shareholders may make capital contribution in currency or in
non-currency property that may be valued in currency and
transferable according to law such as physical objects, intellectual
property and land use rights, except for property that may not be
used as capital contribution according to laws or administrative
regulations.
Non-currency
property contributed as capital shall be valued and verified, and
shall not be over-valued or under-valued. Where laws or
administrative regulations have provisions on valuation, such
provisions shall prevail.
The amount of
capital contribution in currency by all shareholders shall not be
less than 30% of the registered capital of the limited liability
company.
Article
28:
Each shareholder shall make the capital contribution it subscribes
as specified in the articles of association of the company on time
and in full. If a shareholder makes its capital contribution in
currency, it shall deposit the full amount of capital contribution
in currency in a bank account opened by the limited liability
company with a bank. If capital contribution is made in non-currency
property, the transfer procedures for the property rights therein
shall be handled according to law.
If a
shareholder fails to make capital contribution in accordance with
the preceding paragraph, it shall, in addition to making capital
contribution in full to the company, be liable for breach of
contract to the shareholders that have made their capital
contributions on time and in full.
Article
29:
After a shareholder has made its capital contribution, such
contribution must be verified by a statutory capital verification
institution, which shall issue a certificate.
Article
30:
After the initial capital contribution of the shareholders have been
verified by a legally established capital verification institution,
a representative designated by all shareholders or an agent jointly
appointed by them shall submit a company registration application
and documents such as the company’s articles of association and the
capital verification certificate to the company registry to apply
for registration of establishment.
Article
31:
If, after establishment of a limited liability company, it is
discovered that the actual value of the non-currency property
contributed as capital for the establishment of the company is
markedly lower than the value specified in the articles of
association of the company, the shareholder that made such
contribution shall make up for the difference. The other
shareholders as at the time of the company's establishment shall
bear joint and several liability for such difference.
Article
32:
A limited liability company shall issue capital contribution
certificates to its shareholders after it is established.
The capital
contribution certificate shall specify the following particulars:
1.
the name of
the company;
2.
the date of
establishment of the company;
3.
the
registered capital of the company;
4.
the name of
the shareholder, the amount of its capital contribution made and the
date of capital contribution; and
5.
the serial
number and date of issuance of the capital contribution certificate.
The capital
contribution certificate shall be affixed with the seal of the
company.
Article
33:
A limited liability company shall establish a register of
shareholders to record the following items:
1.
the names
and domiciles of the shareholders;
2.
the amounts
of capital contribution of the shareholders; and
3.
the serial
numbers of the capital verification certificates.
The
shareholders on the register of shareholders may claim and exercise
shareholder’s rights on the basis of the register of shareholders.
The company
shall register the names of its shareholders and the amounts of
their capital contribution with the company registry. If there is a
change in the registered items, change registration shall be carried
out. Anyone that fails to complete registration or change
registration may not resist the claims of a third person.
Article
34:
Shareholders shall have the right to examine and reproduce the
articles of association of the company, the minutes of the
shareholders' meetings, the resolutions of the meetings of the board
of directors, the resolutions of the meetings of the supervisory
board and the financial and accounting reports.
Shareholders
may request to examine the account books of the company. If a
shareholder requests to examine the account books of the company, it
shall make a written request to the company stating the purpose
thereof. If the company has reasonable basis to believe that the
purpose of the examination of the account books by the shareholder
is improper and that such examination may harm the lawful rights and
interests of the company, the company may refuse to provide the
books for examination, and shall reply to the shareholder in writing
and state the reason for the refusal within 15 days of the written
request of the shareholder. If the company refuses to provide the
account books for examination, the shareholder may petition to the
people’s court to request the company to provide the account books
for examination.
Article
35:
A shareholder shall receive dividends in proportion to its paid-up
capital contribution. When the company increases its capital, the
shareholder shall have the priority right to subscribe for capital
contribution in proportion to its paid-up capital contribution,
except where all shareholders agree not to receive dividends in
proportion to the paid-up capital contribution or not to exercise
priority right to subscribe for capital contribution in proportion
to the paid-up capital contribution.
Article 36:
After a company is established, its shareholders may not withdraw
their capital contribution.
Section
Two: Organizational Structure
Article 37:
The shareholders’ meeting of a limited liability company shall be
composed of all the shareholders. The shareholders' meeting shall be
the organ of authority of the company and shall exercise its
functions and powers pursuant to this Law.
Article
38:
The shareholders’ meeting shall exercise the following functions and
powers:
1.
to decide
on the business policies and investment plans of the company;
2.
to elect
and replace directors and supervisors that are not appointed from
representatives of staff and workers, and to decide on matters
concerning the remuneration of directors and supervisors;
3.
to consider
and approve reports of the board of directors;
4.
to consider
and approve reports of the supervisory board or supervisors;
5.
to consider
and approve the company's proposed annual financial budgets and
final accounts;
6.
to consider
and approve the company's profit distribution plans and plans for
making up losses;
7.
to pass
resolutions on the increase or reduction of the company's registered
capital;
8.
to pass
resolutions on the issuance of corporate bonds;
9.
to pass
resolutions on matters such as the merger, division, dissolution,
liquidation or change of the
corporate form of
the company;
10.
to amend the
articles of association of the company; and
11.
other
functions and powers specified in the articles of association of the
company.
If the
shareholders unanimously express consent to a matter set out in the
preceding paragraph in writing, the shareholders’ meeting is not
required to be convened, and the decision may be made directly with
a document of the decision signed and affixed with the seals of all
shareholders.
Article
39:
The first shareholders' meeting shall be convened and presided over
by the shareholder that made the largest capital contribution, and
shall exercise its functions and powers pursuant to the provisions
hereof.
Article
40:
Shareholders' meetings shall be divided into regular meetings and
extraordinary meetings.
Regular
meetings shall be convened on time in accordance with the articles
of association of the company. An extraordinary meeting shall be
convened if it is proposed by shareholders representing one-tenth or
more of the voting rights, or by one-third or more of the directors
or the supervisory board or, in the case of a company without a
supervisory board, the supervisor(s).
Article
41:
If a limited liability company has established a board of directors,
the shareholders' meeting shall be convened by the board of
directors and presided over by the chairman of the board. If the
chairman of the board is unable to or does not perform his duty, the
meeting shall be presided over by the vice-chairman of the board. If
the vice-chairman of the board is unable to or does not perform his
duty, the meeting shall be presided over by a director designated
jointly by more than half of the directors.
If a limited
liability company has no board of directors, the shareholders’
meeting shall be convened and presided over by the executive
director(s).
If the board of
directors or the executive director(s) cannot or do not perform the
duty of convening the shareholders’ meeting, the meeting shall be
convened and presided over by the supervisory board or, in the case
of a company without a supervisory board, the supervisor(s). If the
supervisory board or the supervisors do not convene and preside over
the meeting, the meeting may be convened and presided by the
shareholders representing one-tenth or more of the voting rights.
Article
42:
If a shareholders’ meeting is to be convened, all shareholders shall
be notified 15 days before the meeting is held, unless otherwise
stipulated in the articles of association of the company or agreed
by all shareholders.
The
shareholders' meeting shall keep minutes of the decisions on the
matters under its consideration. The shareholders present at the
meeting shall sign the minutes of the meeting.
Article
43:
Shareholders shall exercise voting rights at shareholders' meetings
in proportion to their capital contribution, unless otherwise
stipulated in the articles of association of the company.
Article
44:
The method of deliberation and voting procedures of the
shareholders' meeting shall be specified in the articles of
association of the company, except where stipulated herein.
Resolutions of
the shareholders’ meeting on the amendment of the articles of
association of the company, increase or reduction of the registered
capital, and merger, division, dissolution or change of corporate
form must be adopted by shareholders representing two-thirds or more
of the voting rights.
Article 45: A limited liability company shall have a
board of directors of three to 13 members, unless otherwise
stipulated in Article 51 hereof.
In a limited
liability company invested in and established by two or more
State-owned enterprises or two or more other State-owned investment
entities, the members of the board of directors shall include
representatives of the staff and workers of the company. In other
limited liability companies, the members of the board of directors
may include representatives of the staff and workers of the company.
Representatives of staff and workers on the board of directors shall
be democratically elected by the staff and workers of the company
through the staff and workers’ congress, the staff and workers’
general meeting or other means.
A board of
directors shall have one chairman of the board and may have
vice-chairmen of the board. The method of appointment of the
chairman and vice-chairman (or vice-chairmen) of the board shall be
specified in the articles of association of the company.
Article
46:
The term of office of directors shall be specified in the articles
of association of the company but each term may not exceed three
years. If re-elected upon expiration of his term of office, a
director may serve consecutive terms.
If no new
director is elected in time upon expiration of the term of office of
a director, or if a director resigns during his term of office,
resulting in the number of members of the board of directors falling
below the statutory number, the original director shall perform his
duties as director according to the provisions of laws,
administrative regulations and the articles of association of the
company before a newly elected director takes office.
Article
47:
The board of directors shall be accountable to the shareholders'
meeting, and shall exercise the following functions and powers:
1.
to convene
the shareholders' meeting and to report on its work to the
shareholders' meeting;
2.
to
implement the resolutions of the shareholders' meeting;
3.
to decide
on the business plans and investment plans of the company;
4.
to
formulate the company's proposed annual financial budgets and final
accounts;
5.
to
formulate the company’s profit distribution plans and plans for
making up losses;
6.
to
formulate plans for the company’s increase or reduction of the
registered capital or for the issuance of corporate bonds;
7.
to
formulate plans for the merger, division, dissolution or change of
corporate form of the company;
8.
to decide
on the establishment of the company's internal management
organization;
9.
to decide
on the employment or dismissal of the manager of the company and his
remuneration, and to decide on the employment or dismissal of the
deputy manager(s) and person(s) in charge of financial affairs of
the company according to the recommendations of the manager and on
their remuneration;
10.
to
formulate the basic management system of the company; and
11.
other
functions and powers specified in the articles of association of the
company.
Article
48:
Meetings of the board of directors shall be convened and presided
over by the chairman of the board. If the chairman of the board is
unable to or does not perform his duty, the meeting shall be
convened and presided over by the vice-chairman of the board. If the
vice-chairman of the board is unable to or does not perform his
duty, the meeting shall be convened and presided over by a director
designated jointly by more than half of the directors.
Article
49:
The method of deliberation and voting procedures of the board of
directors shall be specified in the articles of association of the
company, except where stipulated herein.
The board of
directors shall keep minutes of its decisions on the matters under
its consideration. The directors present at the meeting shall sign
the minutes of the meeting.
When voting on
a resolution of the board of directors, each member shall have one
vote.
Article
50:
A limited
liability company may have a manager, who shall be employed or
dismissed by the board of directors. The manager shall be
accountable to the board of directors and shall exercise the
following functions and powers:
1.
to be in
charge of the production, operation and management of the company,
and to organize the implementation of the resolutions of the board
of directors;
2.
to organize
the implementation of the annual business plans and investment plans
of the company;
3.
to draft
the plan for the establishment of the company's internal management
organization;
4.
to draft
the basic management system of the company;
5.
to
formulate the specific rules and regulations of the company;
6.
to request
the employment or dismissal of the deputy manager(s) and person(s)
in charge of financial affairs of the company;
7.
to decide
on the employment or dismissal of management personnel other than
those to be employed or dismissed by the board of directors; and
8.
other
functions and powers delegated by the board of directors.
Where the
articles of association of the company have other provisions on the
functions and powers of the manager, such provisions shall prevail.
The manager
shall attend meetings of the board of directors as a non-voting
attendee.
Article
51:
A limited liability company with comparatively few shareholders or
comparatively small in scale may have one executive director instead
of a board of directors. The executive director may concurrently
serve as the manager of the company.
The functions
and powers of the executive director shall be specified in the
articles of association of the company.
Article
52:
A limited liability company shall have a supervisory board, which
shall have no fewer than three members. A limited liability company
with comparatively few shareholders and comparatively small in scale
may have one to two supervisors instead of a supervisory board.
The supervisory
board shall include the representatives of the shareholders and an
appropriate ratio of representatives of the company's staff and
workers, in which the ratio of the staff and workers’
representatives shall not be lower than one-third. The specific
ratio shall be specified in the articles of association of the
company. The staff and workers' representatives on the supervisory
board shall be democratically elected through the staff and workers’
congress, the staff and workers’ general meeting or other means.
The supervisory
board shall have a chairman that shall be elected by more than half
of all supervisors. The chairman of the supervisory board shall
convene and preside over the meeting of the supervisory board. If
the chairman of the supervisory board is unable to or does not
perform his duty, the meeting of the supervisory board shall be
convened and presided over by a supervisor designated jointly by
more than half of the supervisors.
Directors and
senior management personnel may not concurrently serve as
supervisors.
Article
53:
The term of office of a supervisor shall be three years. If
re-elected upon expiration of his term of office, a supervisor may
serve consecutive terms.
If no new
supervisor is elected in time upon expiration of the term of office
of a supervisor, or if a supervisor resigns during his term of
office, resulting in the number of members of the supervisory board
falling below the statutory number, the original supervisor shall
perform his duties as supervisor according to the provisions of
laws, administrative regulations and the articles of association of
the company before a newly elected supervisor takes office.
Article
54:
The supervisory board or, in the case of a company without a
supervisory board, the supervisor shall exercise the following
functions and powers:
1.
to examine
the company's financial affairs;
2.
to
supervise the execution of company duties by the directors and the
senior management personnel and to recommend the removal of
directors and senior management personnel that violate laws,
administrative regulations, the articles of association of the
company or the resolutions of the shareholders’ meeting;
3.
when an act
of a director or senior management personnel is harmful to the
company's interests, to require the director or senior management
personnel to rectify such act;
4.
to propose
the convening of extraordinary shareholders’ meetings and to convene
and preside over the shareholders’ meeting when the board of
directors fails to perform the duties of convening and presiding
over the shareholders’ meeting as stipulated herein;
5.
to give
proposals to the shareholders’ meeting;
6.
to
institute proceedings against the directors and senior management
personnel according to Article 152 hereof; and
7.
other
functions and powers specified in the articles of association of the
company.
Article
55:
Supervisors may attend meetings of the board of directors as
non-voting attendees and may make inquiries or suggestions to the
matters to be resolved by the board of directors.
If the
supervisory board or, in the case of a company without a supervisory
board, a supervisor discovers irregularities in the operation of the
company, it may conduct investigation. If necessary, an accounting
firm may be engaged to assist in its or his work. The fees shall be
borne by the company.
Article
56:
The supervisory board shall convene at least one meeting each year.
Supervisors may propose to convene an extraordinary meeting of the
supervisory board.
The method of
deliberation and voting procedures of the supervisory board shall be
specified in the articles of association of the company, except
where stipulated herein.
Resolutions of
the supervisory board shall be adopted by more than half of the
supervisors.
The supervisory
board shall keep minutes of its decisions on the matters under its
consideration. The supervisors present at the meeting shall sign the
minutes of the meeting.
Article 57:
The
costs and expenses necessary for the supervisory board or, in the
case of a company without a supervisory board, the supervisor to
exercise their functions and powers shall be borne by the company.
Section
Three: Special Provisions on One-person Limited Liability Companies
Article
58:
The provisions of this Section shall apply to the establishment and
the organizational structure of one-person limited liability
companies. Where a matter is not provided for in this Section, the
provisions of Section One and Section Two of this Part shall apply.
For the
purposes of this Law, the term “one-person limited liability
company” shall mean a limited liability company that has only one
natural person shareholder or one legal person shareholder.
Article
59:
The minimum registered capital of a one-person limited liability
company is Rmb 100,000. Shareholders shall pay the amount of
capital contribution specified in the articles of association of the
company in full in one lump sum.
A natural
person may invest in and establish only one one-person limited
liability company. Such one-person limited liability company may not
invest in and establish a new one-person limited liability company.
Article
60:
A one-person limited liability company shall indicate whether it is
wholly owned by a natural person or wholly owned by a legal person
in the company registration, and specify the same in the business
licence of the company.
Article
61:
The articles of association of a one-person limited liability
company shall be formulated by the shareholder.
Article
62:
A one-person limited liability company shall not have a
shareholders’ meeting. When the shareholder makes a decision that
falls under Paragraph One of Article 38 hereof, it shall be in
writing and be kept in the company after it is signed by the
shareholder.
Article
63:
A one-person limited liability company shall prepare, at the end of
each fiscal year, a financial and accounting report that is audited
by an accounting firm.
Article 64:
If the shareholder of a one-person limited liability company is
unable to prove that the property of the company is independent of
the shareholder's own property, the shareholder shall bear joint and
several liability for the debts of the company.
Section Four:
Special Provisions on Wholly State-owned Companies
Article
65:
The provisions of
this Section shall apply to the establishment and the organizational
structure of wholly State-owned companies. Where a matter is not
provided for in this Section, the provisions of Section One and
Section Two of this Part shall apply.
For the
purposes of this Law, the term "wholly State-owned company" shall
mean a limited liability company of which the State is the sole
investor and the State Council or a local people’s government
authorizes a State-owned assets supervision and administration
authority of the people’s government at the same level to perform
the responsibilities of the investor.
Article
66:
The articles of association of a wholly State-owned company shall be
formulated by the State-owned assets supervision and administration
authority or drafted by the board of directors and submitted to the
State-owned assets supervision and administration authority for
approval.
Article
67:
A wholly
State-owned company shall not have a shareholders' meeting. The
functions and powers of the shareholders’ meeting shall be exercised
by the State-owned assets supervision and administration authority.
The State-owned assets supervision and administration authority may
authorize the company's board of directors to exercise part of the
functions and powers of the shareholders' meeting and to decide on
the major matters of the company. However, merger, division,
dissolution, increase or reduction of registered capital and
issuance of corporate bonds of the company must be decided by the
State-owned assets supervision and administration authority. Merger,
division, dissolution or bankruptcy application of important wholly
State-owned companies shall, after examination and verification by
the State-owned assets supervision and administration authority, be
reported to the people’s government at the same level for approval.
The “important
wholly State-owned companies” referred to in the preceding paragraph
shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of the State
Council.
Article
68:
A wholly State-owned company shall have a board of directors, which
shall exercise functions and powers in accordance with Articles 47
and 67 hereof. The term of office of directors shall not exceed
three years. The members of the board of directors shall include
representatives of the staff and workers. The members of the board
of directors shall be appointed by the State-owned assets
supervision and administration authority. However, the
representatives of the staff and workers among the members of the
board of directors shall be elected by the staff and workers’
congress of the company. The board of directors shall have one
chairman of the board, and may have a vice-chairman of the board.
The chairman of the board and vice-chairman of the board shall be
designated by the State-owned assets supervision and administration
authority from among the members of the board of directors.
Article
69:
A wholly
State-owned company shall have a manager, who shall be engaged or
dismissed by the board of directors. The manager shall exercise
functions and powers in accordance with Article 50 hereof.
Subject to
approval by the State-owned assets supervision and administration
authority, a member of the board of directors may serve concurrently
as manager.
Article
70:
The chairman of
the board, vice-chairman of the board, directors or senior
management personnel of a wholly State-owned company may not
concurrently serve in another limited liability company, company
limited by shares or other business organization without the
approval of the State-owned assets supervision and administration
authority.
Article
71:
The supervisory board of a wholly State-owned company shall have no
fewer than five members, among which the ratio of representatives of
staff and workers shall not be lower than one-third. The specific
ratio shall be specified in the articles of association of the
company.
The members of
the supervisory board shall be appointed by the State-owned assets
supervision and administration authority. However, the
representatives of the staff and workers amongst the members of the
supervisory board shall be elected by the staff and workers’
congress of the company. The chairman of the supervisory board shall
be designated by the State-owned assets supervision and
administration authority from among the members of the supervisory
board.
The supervisory
board shall exercise the functions and powers stipulated in Items
(1) to (3) of Article 54 hereof and other functions and powers
stipulated by the State Council.
PART THREE:
TRANSFER OF EQUITY INTERESTS IN LIMITED LIABILITY COMPANIES
Article
72:
The shareholders of a limited liability company may transfer all or
part of their equity interests among them.
Where a
shareholder transfers its equity interests to a person other than a
shareholder, it shall obtain the consent of more than half of the
other shareholders. The shareholder shall notify the other
shareholders in writing of the transfer of equity interests and seek
their consent. Where the other shareholders do not reply within 30
days of receipt of the written notice, they shall be deemed to
consent to the transfer. If more than half of the other shareholders
do not consent to the transfer, the dissenting shareholders shall
purchase the equity interests to be transferred. If they do not
purchase the equity interests, they shall be deemed to consent to
the transfer.
Provided all
conditions are equal, the other shareholders shall have the priority
purchase right for the equity interests the transfer of which has
been consented by the shareholders. If two or more shareholders
exercise the priority purchase right, they shall determine their
respective purchase ratio upon consultation. If consultation fails,
they shall exercise the priority purchase right in proportion to
their respective ratio of capital contribution at the time of the
transfer.
Where the
articles of association of the company have other provisions on
transfer of equity interests, such provisions shall prevail.
Article
73:
When a people’s court transfers the equity interests of a
shareholder pursuant to the enforcement procedures stipulated in
law, it shall notify the company and all shareholders, and the other
shareholders shall have the priority purchase right under equal
conditions. Where the other shareholders fail to exercise the
priority purchase right within 20 days of the date of notice of the
people’s court, they shall be deemed to waive their priority
purchase right.
Article
74:
After an equity
interest is transferred pursuant to Article 72 or Article 73 hereof,
the company shall cancel the capital contribution certificate of the
original shareholder, issue a capital contribution certificate to
the new shareholder and amend the records of the relevant
shareholder and its capital contribution in the articles of
association and the register of shareholders of the company. Such
amendment to the articles of association of the company does not
require a resolution by the shareholders’ meeting.
Article
75:
In any of the following circumstances, a shareholder that votes
against the resolution of the shareholders’ meeting may request the
company to purchase its equity interests at a reasonable price:
1.
the company
has not distributed its profits to the shareholders for five
consecutive years, while the company has been profitable for five
consecutive years and meets the conditions for distribution of
profit stipulated herein;
2.
the company
is merged or divided, or transfers its major property; or
3.
the term of
operation specified in the articles of association of the company
expires or any other reason for dissolution specified in the
articles of association arises, and the shareholders’ meeting has
adopted a resolution to amend the articles of association to allow
the continual existence of the company.
If the
shareholder and the company fail to reach an agreement on the
purchase of equity interests within 60 days of the adoption of the
resolution of the shareholders’ meeting, the shareholder may
institute proceedings in a people’s court within 90 days of the
adoption of the resolution of the shareholders’ meeting.
Article 76:
After a natural person shareholder dies, his legal heir may inherit
his shareholder status, except where the articles of association of
the company stipulate otherwise.
PART FOUR:
ESTABLISHMENT AND ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE OF COMPANIES LIMITED BY
SHARES
Section
One: Establishment
Article 77: The
following conditions must be fulfilled for the establishment of a
company limited by shares:
1.
the number
of promoters conforms to the statutory number;
2.
the share
capital subscribed for by the promoters and raised reaches the
minimum amount of statutory capital;
3.
the share
issue and preparation matters conform to laws and regulations;
4.
the
company's articles of association have been formulated by the
promoters; in the case of establishment by means of share offer, the
articles of association shall have been adopted at the inaugural
meeting;
5.
the company
has a name, and an organizational structure established in
accordance with the requirements for companies limited by shares;
and
6.
the company
has a domicile.
Article 78:
Companies limited by shares may be established by means of promotion
or by means of share offer.
The term
“establishment by means of promotion” means establishment of a
company by means of subscription by the promoters for all the shares
to be issued by the company.
The term
“establishment by means of share offer” means establishment of a
company by means of subscription by the promoters for a portion of
the shares to be issued by the company, and offer of the balance to
the public or to specified targets.
Article 79:
For the establishment of a company limited by shares, there shall be
more than two and less than 200 promoters, of which more than half
shall have their domicile in the PRC.
Article 80:
The promoters of a company limited by shares shall undertake the
matters concerning preparation of the establishment of the company.
They shall
conclude a promoters’ agreement that stipulates the rights and
obligations of each party during the process of establishment of the
company.
Article 81:
Where a company limited by shares is established by means of
promotion, the registered capital shall be the total share capital
subscribed for by all promoters as registered with the company
registry. The amount of the first capital contribution of all
promoters of the company shall not be less than 20% of the
registered capital, and the balance shall be paid in full by the
promoters within two years of the date of establishment of the
company, or in the case of an investment company, be paid within
five years. Before the capital is paid in full, the offer of shares
to others may not be carried out.
Where a company
limited by shares is established by means of share offer, the
registered capital shall be the total paid-up share capital as
registered with the company registry.
The minimum
registered capital of companies limited by shares shall be Rmb
5 million. Where laws and administrative regulations stipulate a
higher amount on the minimum registered capital of companies limited
by shares, such stipulations shall prevail.
Article 82: The
articles of association of a company limited by shares shall specify
the following particulars:
1.
the name
and domicile of the company;
2.
the scope
of business of the company;
3.
the method
of establishment of the company;
4.
the total
number of shares of the company, the price per share and the
registered capital;
5.
the names
of and number of shares subscribed for by the promoters, and their
methods and time of capital contribution;
6.
the
composition, functions and powers and rules of procedure of the
board of directors;
7.
the legal
representative of the company;
8.
the
composition, functions and powers and rules of procedure of the
supervisory board;
9.
the method
of distribution of company profit;
10.
the reasons
for dissolution of the company and method of liquidation;
11.
methods for
notices and announcements of the company; and
12.
other
matters that the shareholders’ general meeting considers necessary
to be specified.
Article 83:
The methods of capital contribution of promoters shall be governed
by Article 27 hereof.
Article 84:
Where a company limited by shares is established by means of
promotion, the promoters shall subscribe in writing for all the
shares for which they subscribe as specified in the company’s
articles of association. Where capital contribution is paid in a
lump sum, the promoters shall pay all the capital contribution in
full. Where capital contribution is made in instalments, they shall
make the initial capital contribution. Where capital contribution is
made in non-currency property, procedures for transfer of their
property rights shall be handled according to law.
Where a promoter
does not make capital contribution according to the provisions in
the preceding paragraph, it shall be liable for breach of contract
according to the promoters’ agreement.
After the
promoters have made their first capital contribution, they shall
elect the board of directors and supervisory board. The board of
directors shall submit to the company registry the company’s
articles of association, capital verification certificate issued
by a capital verification institution established according to law,
as well as other documents specified in laws and administrative
regulations, and apply for registration of establishment.
Article 85:
If a company limited by shares is established by means of share
offer, the shares subscribed for by the promoters may not be less
than 35% of the total number of company shares, unless where there
are other stipulations in laws and administrative regulations, such
stipulations shall prevail.
Article 86:
When promoters offer shares to the public, they must publish the
share prospectus and prepare subscription forms. The subscription
forms shall specify the particulars listed in Article 87 hereof. The
subscribers shall enter the number and amount of shares subscribed
for and their domiciles on the forms, and shall sign and seal such
forms. Subscribers shall pay subscription monies in accordance with
the number of shares they subscribed for.
Article 87: A
share prospectus shall have the company's articles of association
formulated by the promoters attached, and shall specify the
following particulars:
1.
the number
of shares subscribed for by the promoters;
2.
the face
value and issue price of each share;
3.
the total
number of bearer shares issued;
4.
the purpose
of the funds raised;
5.
the rights
and obligations of subscribers; and
6.
the opening
and closing dates of the share offer and a statement to the effect
that subscribers may withdraw their share subscriptions if all the
shares are not taken up within the time limit.
Article 88:
When promoters offer shares to the public, the shares shall be
distributed by a securities company established according to law,
with which a distribution agreement shall be concluded.
Article 89:
If promoters are to offer shares to the public, they shall conclude
an agreement with a bank on the collection of subscription monies on
behalf of the company.
The bank accepting
subscription monies on behalf of the company shall accept and keep
the subscription monies on behalf of the company in accordance with
the agreement, and issue receipts to subscribers paying their
subscription monies. In addition, the bank shall assume an
obligation to issue certification of receipt of subscription monies
to the relevant authority.
Article 90:
After full payment of the subscription monies for a share
issue, capital verification shall be carried out by a capital
verification institution established according to law, which shall
issue certificates. The promoters shall convene and preside over the
inaugural meeting of the company within 30 days after full payment
of subscription monies. The inaugural meeting shall be composed of
the promoters and subscribers.
If the shares
issued are not fully taken up by the cut off time specified in the
share prospectus or if the promoters fail to convene the inaugural
meeting within 30 days after full payment of the subscription monies
for the share issue, the subscribers may claim a refund from the
promoters according to the subscription monies paid plus bank
deposit interest calculated for the same period.
Article 91:
The promoters shall notify all subscribers or make an announcement
15 days prior to convening the inaugural meeting. The inaugural
meeting may be held only if attended by the promoters and
subscribers representing more than half of the total number of
shares.
The following
functions and powers shall be exercised at an inaugural meeting:
1.
to
deliberate the promoters’ report concerning preparation of the
establishment of the company;
2.
to approve
the articles of association of the company;
3.
to elect
the members of the board of directors;
4.
to elect
the members of the supervisory board;
5.
to examine
and approve the establishment fees of the company;
6.
to examine
and approve the value at which promoters substituted property for
subscription monies; and
7.
if an event
of force majeure or a major change in business conditions
occurs that directly affects the establishment of the company, a
resolution of not establishing the company may be passed.
For the inaugural
meeting to pass resolutions concerning the matters stated in the
preceding paragraph, they must be adopted by subscribers present at
the meeting representing more than half of the voting rights.
Article 92:
After promoters and subscribers pay their subscription monies or
make their capital contributions as substitutes for subscription
monies, they may not withdraw their share capital, except where the
shares are not fully taken up on time, the promoters fail to convene
the inaugural meeting on time or a resolution not to establish the
company is adopted at the inaugural meeting.
Article 93: The
board of directors shall, within 30 days after the end of the
inaugural meeting, submit the following documents and apply for
registration of establishment to the company registry:
1.
the
application for company registration;
2.
the minutes
of the inaugural meeting;
3.
the
articles of association of the company;
4.
the capital
verification certificates;
5.
the
employment documents for the legal representative, directors and
supervisors, and their proof of identity;
6.
the proof
of legal person status of the promoters or the proof of identity of
natural persons; and
7.
the proof
of domicile of the company.
Where the company
limited by shares that is established by means of share offer issues
shares to the public, it shall also submit the verification and
approval document of the State Council’s securities regulatory
authority to the company registry.
Article 94:
Where a promoter fails to make his capital contribution in full
according to the stipulations of the company’s articles of
association after the company limited by shares is established, he
shall make up the outstanding sum, and the other promoters shall
bear joint and several liability.
Where, after the
company limited by shares is established, it is discovered that the
actual price of the non-currency property contributed as capital for
establishment of company is markedly lower than the price specified
in the company’s articles of association, the discrepancy shall be
made up by the promoter that delivered the capital contribution.
Other promoters shall bear joint and several liability.
Article 95: The
promoters of a company limited by shares shall bear the following
liabilities:
1.
if the
company cannot be established, joint and several liability for the
debts and expenses occasioned during the establishment activities;
2.
if the
company cannot be established, joint and several liability for
refunding the subscription monies already paid by subscribers plus
bank deposit interest calculated for the same period; and
3.
if during
the course of establishment of the company, the company's interests
are harmed due to the fault of the promoters, liability towards the
company for compensation.
Article 96:
When a limited liability company is converted into a company limited
by shares, the total amount of paid-up share capital converted shall
not exceed the amount of net assets of the company. When a limited
liability company that is converted into a company limited by shares
offers shares to the public in order to increase its capital, such
issue shall be carried out according to law.
Article 97:
Companies limited by shares shall keep at their office the company’s
articles of association, register of shareholders, counterfoil of
corporate bonds, minutes of shareholders’ general meetings, minutes
of the meetings of the board of directors, minutes of the meetings
of the supervisory board, and financial and accounting reports.
Article 98:
Shareholders shall have the right to examine the articles of
association of the company, register of shareholders, counterfoil of
corporate bonds, minutes of shareholders’ general meetings, minutes
of the meetings of the board of directors, minutes of the meetings
of the supervisory board, and financial and accounting reports, and
to give suggestions for or inquire about the operation of the
company.
Section Two:
Shareholders’ General Meeting
Article
99:
The shareholders’ general meeting of a company limited by shares
shall be composed of all shareholders. The shareholders’ general
meeting shall be the organ of authority of the company and shall
exercise its functions and powers in accordance with this Law.
Article
100:
The provisions of Paragraph One of Article 38 hereof on the
functions and powers of the shareholders’ meeting of limited
liability companies shall apply to the shareholders’ general meeting
of companies limited by shares.
Article
101:
The annual general
meeting of the shareholders' general meeting shall be held once
every year. An extraordinary shareholders' general meeting shall be
convened within two months of the occurrence of any of the following
circumstances:
1.
the number
of directors is less than the number stipulated herein or less than
two-thirds of the number specified in the articles of association of
the company;
2.
the losses
of the company that have not been made up reach one-third of the
total paid-up share capital;
3.
it is
requested by a shareholder that independently holds, or by the
shareholders that hold in aggregate, 10% or more of the company's
shares;
4.
it is
considered necessary by the board of directors;
5.
it is
proposed by the supervisory board; or
6.
other
circumstances specified by the articles of association of the
company.
Article
102:
The shareholders' general meeting shall be convened by the board of
directors and presided over by the chairman of the board. If the
chairman of the board is unable to or does not perform his duty, the
meeting shall be presided over by the vice-chairman of the board. If
the vice-chairman of the board is unable to or does not perform his
duty, the meeting shall be presided over by a director designated
jointly by more than half of the directors.
If the board of
directors is unable to or does not perform the duty of convening the
shareholders’ general meeting, the meeting shall be convened and
presided over by the supervisory board in a timely manner. If the
supervisory board does not convene and preside over the meeting, a
shareholder that has independently held, or the shareholders that
have held in aggregate, 10% or more of the shares of the company for
90 or more consecutive days may themselves convene and preside over
the meeting.
Article
103:
If a shareholders’ general meeting is to be convened, all
shareholders shall be notified of the time and venue of the meeting
and the matters to be considered at the meeting 20 days before the
meeting is held. In the case of an extraordinary shareholders’
general meeting, the shareholders shall be notified 15 days before
the meeting is held. If bearer shares are to be issued, the time and
venue of the meeting and the matters to be considered at the meeting
shall be announced 30 days before the meeting is held.
A shareholder
that independently holds, or the shareholders that hold in
aggregate, 3% or more of the shares of the company may submit an
extraordinary resolution in writing to the board of directors at
least 10 days before a shareholders’ general meeting is held. The
board of directors shall notify the other shareholders within two
days of receipt of the resolution and submit the extraordinary
resolution to the shareholders’ general meeting for consideration.
The contents of the extraordinary resolution shall be within the
scope of authority of the shareholders’ general meeting and shall
have a clear subject and specific matters for resolution.
No resolution
may be adopted by a shareholders’ general meeting on any matter not
included in the notices specified in the preceding two paragraphs.
Holders of
bearer shares that intend to attend a shareholders' general meeting
shall deposit their share certificates with the company for a period
beginning from five days before the meeting is held to the
adjournment of the meeting.
Article
104:
Shareholders
present at a shareholders' general meeting shall have the right to
one vote for each share held. However, there shall be no voting
right for the shares of the company held by the company itself.
Resolutions of
a shareholders' general meeting must be adopted by more than half of
the voting rights held by the shareholders present at the meeting.
However, resolutions of a shareholders' general meeting to amend the
company’s articles of association, to increase or reduce the
registered capital, or on merger, division, dissolution or change of
the corporate form of the company must be adopted by two-thirds or
more of the voting rights held by the shareholders present at the
meeting.
Article
105:
If it is stipulated in this Law and the articles of association of
the company that a resolution must be adopted by the shareholders’
general meeting on matters such as transfer of major assets by or to
the company or provision of security for an external party, the
board of directors shall promptly convene a shareholders’ general
meeting, and the shareholders’ general meeting shall vote on such
matters.
Article
106:
In the case of election of directors and supervisors of a
shareholders’ general meeting, the cumulative voting system may be
implemented in accordance with the provisions of the articles of
association of the company or the resolution of the shareholders’
general meeting.
For the
purposes of this Law, the term “cumulative voting system” shall mean
that when a shareholders’ general meeting elects a director or
supervisor, the number of voting rights attached to each share is
the same as the number of directors or supervisors to be elected,
and that the voting rights held by a shareholder may be exercised
collectively.
Article
107:
A shareholder may appoint a proxy to attend a shareholders' general
meeting on his behalf. The proxy shall submit the shareholder's
power of attorney to the company and exercise voting rights within
the scope of authorization.
Article 108:
The shareholders' general meeting shall keep minutes of the
decisions on the matters under its consideration, and the presiding
person and the directors present at the meeting shall sign the
minutes of the meeting. The minutes of the meeting shall be kept
together with the sign-in book of the attending shareholders and the
powers of attorney of the attending proxies.
Section Three:
Board of Directors, and Manager
Article
109:
A company limited by shares shall have a board of directors of five
to 19 members.
The members of
the board of directors may include representatives of the staff and
workers of the company. The representatives of the staff and workers
among the members of the board of directors shall be democratically
elected by the staff and workers of the company through the staff
and workers’ congress, the staff and workers’ general meeting or
other means.
The provisions
of Article 46 hereof on the term of office of the directors of
limited liability companies shall apply to the directors of
companies limited by shares.
The provisions
of Article 47 hereof on the functions and powers of the board of
directors of limited liability companies shall apply to the board of
directors of companies limited by shares.
Article
110:
The board of directors shall have one chairman of the board and may
have a vice-chairman (or vice-chairmen) of the board. The chairman
and vice-chairman (or vice-chairmen) of the board shall be elected
by more than half of all directors.
The chairman of
the board shall convene and preside over the meetings of the board
of directors and inspect the implementation of the resolutions of
the board of directors. The vice-chairman of the board shall assist
the chairman of the board in his work. Where the chairman of the
board is unable to or does not perform his duties, his duties shall
be performed by the vice-chairman. If the vice-chairman is unable to
or does not perform his duties, his duties shall be performed by a
director designated jointly by more than half of the directors.
Article
111:
The board of directors shall convene at least two meetings each
year. All directors and supervisors shall be notified 10 days before
each meeting is held.
An
extraordinary meeting of the board of directors may be proposed by
shareholders representing 10% or more of the voting rights or
one-third or more of the directors or the supervisory board. The
chairman of the board shall convene and preside over the meeting of
the board of directors within 10 days of receipt of the proposal.
The
notification method and time limit for giving notice of the
convening of extraordinary meetings of the board of directors may be
decided separately.
Article
112:
Meetings of the board of directors may be held only if attended by
more than half of the directors. Resolutions of the board of
directors must be adopted by more than half of all directors.
When voting on
a resolution of the board of directors, each member shall have one
vote.
Article
113:
Meetings of the board of directors shall be attended by the
directors in person. If a director for any reason is unable to
attend the meeting, he may appoint another director in writing to
attend the meeting on his behalf, and the power of attorney shall
specify the scope of authorization.
The board of
directors shall keep minutes of its decisions on the matters under
its consideration, and the directors present at the meeting shall
sign the minutes of the meeting.
The directors
shall bear liability for the resolutions of the board of directors.
If a resolution of the board of directors violates any law or
administrative regulation, or the company's articles of association
or a resolution of the shareholders’ general meeting, thereby
causing the company to incur serious losses, the directors that took
part in such resolution shall be liable to the company for
compensation. However, if a director is proved to have expressed his
objection to the resolution at the time of voting and the objection
is recorded in the minutes of the meeting, such director may be
released from such liability.
Article
114:
A company limited by shares shall have a manager, who shall be
engaged or dismissed by the board of directors.
The provisions
of Article 50 hereof on the functions and powers of the manager of
limited liability companies shall apply to the manager of companies
limited by shares.
Article
115:
The board of directors of a company may decide that a member of the
board of directors shall serve concurrently as the manager.
Article
116:
A company shall not directly or through a subsidiary provide any
loan to its directors, supervisors or senior management personnel.
Article 117:
A company shall periodically disclose to its shareholders the
remuneration received by its directors, supervisors and senior
management personnel from the company.
Section
Four: Supervisory Board
Article
118:
A company limited by shares shall have a supervisory board of no
fewer than three members.
The supervisory
board shall include representatives of the shareholders and an
appropriate ratio of the representatives of the company's staff and
workers, where the ratio of the staff and workers’ representatives
shall not be less than one-third. The specific ratio shall be
specified in the articles of association of the company. The staff
and workers' representatives on the supervisory board shall be
democratically elected through the staff and workers’ congress, the
staff and workers’ general meeting or other means.
The supervisory
board shall have a chairman and may have a vice-chairman (or
chairmen). The chairman and vice-chairman of the supervisory board
shall be elected by more than half of all supervisors. The chairman
of the supervisory board shall convene and preside over the meetings
of the supervisory board. If the chairman of the supervisory board
is unable to or does not perform his duty, the meetings of the
supervisory board shall be convened and presided over by the
vice-chairman of the supervisory board. If the vice-chairman of the
supervisory board is unable to or does not perform his duty, the
meetings of the supervisory board shall be convened and presided
over by a supervisor designated jointly by more than half of the
supervisors.
Directors and
senior management personnel may not concurrently serve as
supervisors.
The provisions
of Article 53 hereof on the term of office of the supervisors of
limited liability companies shall apply to the supervisors of
companies limited by shares.
Article
119:
The provisions of Articles 54 and 55 hereof on the functions and
powers of the supervisory board of limited liability companies shall
apply to the supervisory board of companies limited by shares.
The costs and
expenses necessary for the supervisory board to exercise its
functions and powers shall be borne by the company.
Article
120:
The supervisory board shall convene at least one meeting every six
months. The supervisors may propose to convene an extraordinary
meeting of the supervisory board.
The method of deliberation and the voting procedures of the
supervisory board shall be specified in the articles of association
of the company, except where stipulated herein.
Resolutions of
the supervisory board shall be adopted by more than half of the
supervisors.
The supervisory
board shall keep minutes of its decisions on the matters under its
consideration. The supervisors present at the meeting shall sign the
minutes of the meeting.
Section
Five: Special Provisions on the Organizational Structure of Listed
Companies
Article
121:
For the purposes of this Law, the term “listed company” shall mean a
company limited by shares whose shares are listed and traded on a
stock exchange.
Article
122:
If the amount of the major assets purchased or sold or the amount of
security provided by a listed company within one year exceeds 30% of
the total assets of the company, a resolution shall be passed by the
shareholders’ general meeting and adopted by two-thirds or more of
the voting rights held by the shareholders present at the meeting.
Article
123:
A listed company
shall have independent directors. The specific procedures thereon
shall be stipulated by the State Council.
Article
124:
A listed company shall have a secretary to the board of directors to
be in charge of matters such as the preparation of the shareholders’
general meetings and the meetings of the board of directors of the
company, the safekeeping of documents as well as the administration
of the shareholders' information of the company and the handling of
information disclosure.
Article 125:
If a director of a listed company is affiliated with an enterprise
involved in a resolution matter of the meeting of the board of
directors, he may not exercise his voting right on such resolution
or the voting right of any other director as proxy. Such meeting of
the board of directors may be held if attended by more than half of
the directors without such affiliation, and the resolution of the
meeting of the board of directors must be adopted by more than half
of the directors without such affiliation. If the number of
directors without such affiliation present at the meeting of the
board of directors is less than three, the matter shall be submitted
to the shareholders’ general meeting of the listed company for
consideration.
PART FIVE: ISSUE
AND TRANSFER OF SHARES OF COMPANIES LIMITED BY SHARES
Section
One: Issue of Shares
Article 126:
The capital of companies limited by shares shall be divided into
shares of equal amount.
The shares of
companies shall take the form of share certificates. Share
certificates shall be the vouchers issued by companies evidencing
the shares held by their shareholders.
Article 127:
Shares shall be issued in accordance with the principles of
equitability and fairness. Each share of the same type shall carry
the same rights and benefits.
Shares of the same
type in the same issue shall be issued on the same conditions and at
the same price. The same price shall be payable for each of the
shares subscribed for by any work unit or individual.
Article 128:
Shares may be issued at or above par but not below par.
Article 129:
Share certificates shall be of paper or in such other form as
determined by the State Council’s securities regulatory authority.
The following main
particulars shall be clearly stated on a share certificate:
1.
the name of
the company;
2.
the date of
establishment of the company;
3.
the class
and face value of the share certificate and the number of shares it
represents; and
4.
the serial
number of the share certificate.
Share certificates
shall be signed by the legal representative and sealed by the
company.
The words
“promoters’ share certificate” shall be clearly indicated on share
certificates of promoters.
Article 130:
Shares issued by a company may be registered shares and may also be
bearer shares. Shares issued by a company to a promoter or a legal
person shall be registered shares and shall bear the name of such
promoter or legal person. No separate account with a different name
may be opened for such shares, nor may such shares be registered in
the name of a representative.
Article 131: Companies
that issue registered shares shall establish share registers, in
which the following particulars shall be recorded:
1.
the names
and domiciles of the shareholders;
2.
the number
of shares held by each shareholder;
3.
the serial
numbers of the share certificates held by each shareholder; and
4.
the date on
which each shareholder obtained the shares.
Companies that
issue bearer shares shall record the number, serial numbers and
issue date of the share certificates.
Article 132:
The State Council may formulate separate regulations for the issue
by companies of shares of types other than those provided for in
this Law.
Article 133:
Companies limited by shares shall formally deliver the share
certificates to their shareholders immediately upon establishment.
Companies may not deliver share certificates to their shareholders
prior to establishment.
Article 134: When
a company issues new shares, resolutions in respect of the following
matters shall be adopted by the shareholders’ general meeting:
1.
the class
and amount of the new shares;
2.
the issue
price of the new shares;
3.
the opening
and closing dates of the new share issue; and
4.
the class
and amount of new shares issued to existing shareholders.
Article 135:
When a company issues new shares to the public upon verification and
approval by the State Council’s securities regulatory authority, it
must announce a prospectus for the new shares and financial and
accounting reports, and prepare subscription forms.
The provisions of
Articles 88
and 89 hereof shall apply to the issue of new shares to the public
by companies.
Article 136:
The pricing proposal for new shares to be issued by a company may be
determined on the basis of its operation and financial status.
Article 137:
After a company has raised the full amount of subscription monies
from a new share issue, it must register the change with the company
registry and make an announcement.
Section
Two: Transfer of Shares
Article
138:
Shares held by shareholders may be transferred according to law.
Article
139:
Transfer of shares by shareholders shall be conducted at a
securities trading place established according to law or by other
means as stipulated by the State Council.
Article
140:
Registered shares
shall be transferred by means of endorsement by the shareholder or
by other means stipulated in laws and administrative regulations.
After the transfer, the company shall record the name and domicile
of the transferee in the register of shareholders.
No change
registration shall be carried out in respect of the register of
shareholders specified in the preceding paragraph within 20 days
prior to convening a shareholders' general meeting or within five
days prior to the reference date determined by the company for the
distribution of dividends. However, where the law has stipulated
otherwise on the change registration of the register of shareholders
of listed companies, such stipulations shall prevail.
Article
141:
A transfer of bearer shares shall become effective immediately upon
delivery of the shares by the shareholder to the transferee.
Article
142:
Shares held by the
promoters in the company promoted may not be transferred within one
year of the date of establishment of the company. Shares issued by a
company prior to the public offer of its shares may not be
transferred within one year of the date of listing of its shares on
a stock exchange.
A director,
supervisor or senior management personnel of a company shall declare
to the company the number of shares in the company held by him and
any change thereof, and may not transfer more than 25% of the shares
in the company held by him each year during his term of office. The
shares held by him may not be transferred within one year of the
date of listing of the company’s shares. The aforementioned person
may not transfer the shares in the company he holds within six
months after he leaves office. The articles of association of the
company may specify other restrictive provisions on the transfer of
the company’s shares held by the directors, supervisors and senior
management personnel of the company.
Article
143:
A company may not
purchase its own shares except in any of the following
circumstances:
1.
to reduce
the registered capital of the company;
2.
to merge
with another company (companies) that hold(s) its shares;
3.
to reward
the staff and workers of the company with shares; or
4.
a
shareholder requests the company to purchase the shares held by him
since he objects to a resolution of the shareholders’ general
meeting on the merger or division of the company.
Where a company
purchases its own shares for reasons specified in Items (1) to (3)
of the preceding paragraph, a resolution of the shareholders’
general meeting shall be adopted. Shares purchased by the company
pursuant to the preceding paragraph shall be cancelled within 10
days of the date of purchase if the circumstances fall under Item
(1), or transferred or cancelled within six months if the
circumstances fall under Item (2) or (4).
A company’s own
shares purchased by the company pursuant to Item (3) of Paragraph
One shall not exceed 5% of the total issued shares of the company.
The funds used for the purchase shall be taken from the after-tax
profits of the company, and the shares purchased shall be
transferred to the staff and workers within one year.
A company may
not accept its own shares as the subject matter of a pledge.
Article
144:
If a registered share certificate is stolen, lost or destroyed, the
shareholder may petition to a people's court to declare the
certificate void in accordance with the procedures for public
invitation to assert claims as specified in the PRC, Civil
Procedure Law. After the people’s court has declared such share
certificate void, the shareholder may apply to the company for a new
share certificate.
Article
145:
Shares of a listed company shall be listed and traded in accordance
with the relevant laws, administrative regulations and the trading
rules of stock exchanges.
Article 146:
A
listed company must disclose its financial status, business
condition and major litigation according to the provisions of laws
and administrative regulations, and must publish a financial and
accounting report once every six months in each fiscal year.
PART SIX:
QUALIFICATIONS AND OBLIGATIONS OF DIRECTORS, SUPERVISORS AND SENIOR
MANAGEMENT PERSONNEL OF COMPANIES
Article
147:
A person may not serve as a company's director, supervisor or senior
management personnel if he is:
1.
a person
with no or limited capacity for civil acts;
2.
a person
that was sentenced to criminal punishment for the crime of
corruption, bribery, encroachment of property, misappropriation of
property or disruption of the order of the socialist market economy,
and not more than five years has elapsed since the expiration of the
enforcement period; or a person that was deprived of his political
rights for committing a crime, and not more than five years has
elapsed since the expiration of the enforcement period;
3.
a director,
factory director or manager of a company or enterprise liquidated
upon bankruptcy that was personally responsible for the bankruptcy
of the company or enterprise, and not more than three years has
elapsed since the date of completion of the bankruptcy liquidation;
4.
the legal
representative of a company or enterprise that had its business
licence revoked and had been closed down by order for violation of
law, for which such representative bears individual liability, and
not more than three years has elapsed since the date on which the
business licence of the company or enterprise was revoked; and
5.
a person
with a comparatively large amount of personal debts due and
unsettled.
If a company
elects or appoints a director or supervisor or employs senior
management personnel in violation of the preceding paragraph, such
election, appointment or employment shall be invalid.
If a director,
supervisor or senior management personnel falls under the
circumstances specified in Paragraph One of this Article during his
term of office, the company shall dismiss him from his office.
Article
148:
Directors, supervisors and senior management personnel shall abide
by laws, administrative regulations and the articles of association
of the company, and have a fiduciary obligation and obligation of
diligence to the company.
Directors,
supervisors and senior management personnel may not take advantage
of their positions and powers to collect or accept bribes or other
illegal income, and may not encroach upon the property of the
company.
Article
149:
Directors and senior management personnel may not have the following
conduct:
1.
misappropriate the funds of the company;
2.
deposit the
funds of the company in an account opened in his personal name or in
the name of another individual;
3.
in
violation of the articles of association of the company, lend the
funds of the company to other persons or use the property of the
company to provide security for other persons without the consent of
the shareholders’ meeting, shareholders’ general meeting or the
board of directors;
4.
enter into
a contract or transaction with the company in violation of the
articles of association of the company or without the consent of the
shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’ general meeting;
5.
take
advantage of the convenience of his position to seek for himself or
other persons commercial opportunities that belong to the company or
to operate by himself or for another person the same type of
business as that of his company without the consent of the
shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’ general meeting;
6.
accept as
his own the commissions of a transaction between another person and
the company;
7.
disclose
the secrets of the company without authorization; or
8.
other acts
that violate his fiduciary obligation to the company.
The income
derived by a director or senior management personnel from violating
the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall belong to the
company.
Article
150:
If a director, supervisor or senior management personnel violates
the provisions of laws, administrative regulations or the articles
of association of the company in the execution of company duties,
thereby causing losses to the company, he shall be liable for
compensation.
Article
151:
If a director, supervisor or senior management personnel is required
by the shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’ general meeting to
attend the meeting as non-voting attendee, the director, supervisor
or senior management personnel shall attend the meeting as a
non-voting attendee and accept inquiries from the shareholders.
Directors and
senior management personnel shall truthfully provide the relevant
information and materials to the supervisory board or, in the case
of a limited liability company without a supervisory board, the
supervisor, and may not obstruct the supervisory board or
supervisors in exercising its/their functions and powers.
Article
152:
If a director or senior management personnel is in the circumstances
specified in Article 150 hereof, the shareholders in the case of a
limited liability company, or a shareholder that has independently
held, or the shareholders that have held in aggregate, 1% or more of
the shares of the company for more than 180 consecutive days in the
case of a company limited by shares, may request in writing the
supervisory board or, in the case of a limited liability company
without a supervisory board, the supervisor to institute proceedings
in a people’s court. If a supervisor is in the circumstances
specified in Article 150 hereof, the aforementioned shareholders may
request in writing the board of directors or, in the case of a
limited liability company without a board of directors, the
executive director to institute proceedings in a people’s court.
If the
supervisory board or, in the case of a limited liability company
without a supervisory board, the supervisor, or the board of
directors or executive director refuses to institute proceedings
after receipt of the written request of the shareholder as specified
in the preceding paragraph, or fails to institute proceedings within
30 days of the date of receipt of the request, or if the matter is
urgent and failure in the immediate institution of proceedings would
result in damage to the interests of the company that is difficult
to remedy, the shareholder(s) specified in the preceding paragraph
shall have the right to directly institute proceedings in his or
their name in a people’s court for the interests of the company.
If any other
person infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of the company
and thereby causing losses to the company, the shareholder(s)
specified in Paragraph One of this Article may institute proceedings
in a people’s court pursuant to the provisions of the preceding two
paragraphs.
Article 153:
If, in violation of the provisions of laws, administrative
regulations or the articles of association of the company, a
director or senior management personnel harms the interests of the
shareholders, the shareholders may institute proceedings in a
people’s court.
PART SEVEN:
CORPORATE BONDS
Article 154:
For the purposes of this Law, the term "corporate bonds" shall mean
valuable securities issued by a company in accordance with statutory
procedure, the principal of which such company agrees to repay,
together with interest, within a definite time limit.
Issue of corporate
bonds by companies shall comply with the conditions for issue
stipulated in the PRC, Securities Law.
Article 155:
After an issuing company’s application for issuing corporate bonds
has been verified and approved by the department authorized by the
State Council, it shall announce the method of offer of the
corporate bonds.
The method of
offer of corporate bonds shall specify the following main
particulars:
1.
the name of
the company;
2.
the purpose
of the funds from the offer of the corporate bonds;
3.
the total
amount and the face value of the bonds;
4.
the method
of determining the interest rate of the bonds;
5.
the time
limit for and method of repayment of the principal together with the
interest thereon;
6.
the details
of the guarantee for bonds;
7.
the bond
price and the opening and closing dates of the bond issue;
8.
the amount
of the company's net assets;
9.
the total
amount of previously issued corporate bonds that have not yet
matured; and
10.
the
distributor of the corporate bonds.
Article 156:
When a company issues corporate bonds in scrip form, it must clearly
record thereon particulars such as the name of the company, the face
value of the bond, the interest rate and the time limit for
repayment, and the bonds shall be signed by the legal representative
and sealed by the company.
Article 157:
Corporate bonds may be registered bonds and may also be bearer
bonds.
Article 158:
When issuing corporate bonds, a company shall prepare a corporate
bond counterfoil book.
In the case of an
issue of registered corporate bonds, the following particulars shall
be recorded in the corporate bond counterfoil book:
1.
the names
and domiciles of the bondholders;
2.
the dates
on which the bondholders obtained the bonds and the serial numbers
of the bonds;
3.
the total
amount of the bonds, the face value and the interest rate of the
bonds, and the time limit for and method of repayment of the
principal together with the interest thereon; and
4.
the date of
issue of the bonds.
In the case of an
issue of bearer corporate bonds, the following particulars shall be
recorded in the corporate bond counterfoil book: the total amount of
the bonds, the interest rate, the time limit for and method of
repayment, the date of issue and the serial number of the bonds.
Article 159:
Registration and clearing institutions of registered corporate bonds
shall establish relevant systems such as systems for registration,
keeping custody, payment of interest and exchange of bonds.
Article 160:
Corporate bonds may be transferred. The transfer price of corporate
bonds shall be agreed upon between the transferor and the
transferee.
Where the
corporate bonds are listed for trading on the stock exchange, they
shall be transferred according to the trading rules of the stock
exchange.
Article 161:
Registered corporate bonds shall be transferred by means of
endorsement by the bondholder or such other means as specified in
laws and administrative regulations. After the transfer, the company
shall record the name and domicile of the transferee in the
corporate bond counterfoil book.
A transfer of
bearer corporate bonds shall become effective immediately upon
delivery of the bonds by the bondholder to the transferee.
Article 162:
Upon adoption of a pertinent resolution by the shareholders' general
meeting, listed companies may issue corporate bonds convertible into
shares. The specific method of conversion shall be stipulated in the
method of offer of the corporate bonds. An issue of corporate bonds
convertible into shares by a listed company shall be reported to the
State Council’s securities regulatory authority for verification and
approval.
When issuing
corporate bonds convertible into shares, the words “convertible
corporate bond” shall be clearly indicated on the bonds, and the
amount of convertible corporate bonds shall be recorded in the
corporate bond counterfoil book.
Article 163:
A company that issues corporate bonds convertible into shares shall
issue shares in exchange for such bonds to the bondholders in
accordance with the conversion method. However, bondholders shall
have an option as to whether or not to convert their bonds into
shares.
PART EIGHT:
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AND ACCOUNTING OF COMPANIES
Article 164:
Companies shall establish their own financial and accounting systems
in accordance with laws, administrative regulations, and regulations
of the finance department of the State Council.
Article 165:
Companies shall prepare financial and accounting reports at the end
of each fiscal year. Such reports shall be audited by an accounting
firm according to law.
Financial and
accounting reports of companies shall be prepared according to laws,
administrative regulations and regulations of the finance department
of the State Council.
Article 166:
Limited liability companies shall deliver their financial and
accounting reports to each of their shareholders within the time
limit specified in their articles of association.
The financial and
accounting reports of companies limited by shares shall be made
available at the company for the perusal of shareholders 20 days
before the annual shareholders’ general meeting is held. Companies
limited by shares that issue shares to the public must announce
their financial and accounting reports.
Article 167:
When companies distribute their after-tax profits for a given year,
they shall allocate 10% of profits to their statutory common
reserve. Companies shall no longer be required to make allocations
to their statutory common reserve once the aggregate amount of such
reserve exceeds 50% of their registered capital.
If a company’s
statutory common reserve is insufficient to make up its losses of
the previous years, such losses shall be made up from the profit for
the current year prior to making allocations to the statutory common
reserve pursuant to the preceding paragraph.
Companies may, if
so resolved by the shareholders’ meeting or the shareholders’
general meeting, make allocations to the discretionary common
reserve from their after-tax profits after making allocations to the
statutory common reserve from the after-tax profits.
A company’s
after-tax profits remaining after it has made up its losses and made
allocations to its common reserve shall be distributed, in the case
of a limited liability company, according to Article 35 hereof and,
in the case of a company limited by shares, in proportion to the
shareholdings of its shareholders, unless the articles of
association of the company limited by shares stipulate that the
profits shall not be distributed in proportion to the shareholdings.
If the
shareholders’ meeting, shareholders’ general meeting or board of
directors violates the preceding paragraph by distributing profits
to shareholders before the company has made up its losses and made
allocations to the statutory common reserve, the profit
distributed in violation of regulations must be returned to the
company by the shareholders.
Companies that
hold the shares of their own company shall not be entitled to
distribution of profits.
Article 168:
Companies shall enter under their capital common reserve the
premiums earned from the issue of shares above par and such other
revenue as the finance department of the State Council requires to
be entered under the capital common reserve.
Article 169:
Companies shall apply their common reserve to making up their
losses, increasing their production and business operations, or
increasing their capital by means of conversion. However, the
capital common reserve may not be used to make up the losses of the
company.
When funds from
the statutory common reserve are converted to capital, the funds
remaining in such reserve shall amount to not less than 25% of the
increased registered capital.
Article 170:
The employment and dismissal of accounting firms that handle
company’s audit business by the companies shall be decided by the
shareholders’ meeting, shareholders’ general meeting and board of
directors according to the stipulations of the company’s articles of
association.
When the
shareholders’ meeting, shareholders’ general meeting or board of
directors votes on the dismissal of accounting firms, it shall
permit the accounting firm to state its opinion.
Article 171:
Companies shall provide to the accounting firm they employ truthful
and complete accounting vouchers, account books, financial and
accounting reports and other accounting materials, and may not
refuse to do so, or conceal or submit untruthful materials.
Article 172:
Companies may not establish any account books in addition to those
required by law.
No accounts may be
opened in the name of any individual for the keeping of a company’s
assets.
PART NINE: MERGER
AND DIVISION, INCREASE AND REDUCTION OF CAPITAL OF COMPANIES
Article 173:
The merger of companies may take the form of merger by absorption or
merger by new establishment.
The absorption by
one company of one or more other companies shall be merger by
absorption, in which case the absorbed company or companies shall be
dissolved. The merger of two or more companies and establishment of
a new company shall be merger by new establishment, in which case
the parties to the merger shall be dissolved.
Article 174:
When companies merge, the parties to the merger shall enter into a
merger agreement and prepare balance sheets and schedules of
property. The companies shall notify their creditors within a period
of 10 days commencing from the date on which the merger resolution
is passed and, within 30 days, make newspaper announcements of the
merger. Creditors may, within a period of 30 days commencing from
the date of receipt of the written notification, or within a period
of 45 days commencing from the date of the announcement for those
who do not receive written notification, claim full repayment or
require the provision of a corresponding guarantee from the company
concerned.
Article 175:
When companies are merged, the surviving company or the newly
established company shall succeed to the claims and debts of each
party to the merger.
Article 176:
When a company is divided, its property shall be divided
correspondingly.
When a company is
to be divided, it shall prepare a balance sheet and a schedule of
property. The company shall notify its creditors within a period
of 10 days commencing from the date on which the division resolution
is passed and, within 30 days, make newspaper announcement of the
division.
Article 177:
The joint and several liability for the debts before a company is
divided shall be borne by the companies in existence following the
division, except where the written agreement on payment of debts
reached between the company and the creditors prior to the division
stipulate otherwise.
Article 178:
When a company needs to reduce its registered capital, it must
prepare a balance sheet and a schedule of property.
The company shall
notify its creditors within a period of 10 days commencing from the
date on which the resolution to reduce the registered capital is
passed and, within 30 days, make newspaper announcement of the
reduction. Creditors shall, within a period of 30 days commencing
from the date of receipt of the written notification, or within a
period of 45 days commencing from the date of the announcement for
those who do not receive written notification, have the right to
claim full repayment or require the provision of a corresponding
guarantee from the company.
Following a
capital reduction, the amount of a company’s registered capital may
not be less than the statutory minimum.
Article 179:
When a limited liability company increases its registered capital,
the capital contributions to the increase in capital subscribed for
by its shareholders shall be handled in accordance with the relevant
provision hereof concerning payment of capital contributions in
connection with the establishment of a limited liability company.
When a company
limited by shares issues new shares to increase its registered
capital, shareholders shall subscribe for the new shares in
accordance with the relevant provisions hereof concerning the
payment of subscription monies in connection with the establishment
of a company limited by shares.
Article 180:
When the merger or division of a company involves changes in
registered particulars, such changes shall be registered according
to law with the company registry. When a company is dissolved, it
shall cancel its registration according to law. When a new company
is established, its establishment shall be registered according to
law.
When a company
increases or reduces its registered capital, it shall register the
change with the company registry.
PART TEN:
DISSOLUTION AND LIQUIDATION OF COMPANIES
Article 181:
A company shall be dissolved as a result of the following:
1.
when the
term of operation as specified in the company's articles of
association expires or another reason for dissolution as specified
in the company's articles of association arises;
2.
if the
shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’ general meeting resolves to
dissolve the company;
3.
if
dissolution is necessary as a result of the merger or division of
the company;
4.
its
business licence has been revoked, or it is ordered to close down or
is banned according to law; or
5.
it is
ordered to be dissolved by the people’s court according to Article
183 hereof.
Article 182:
Where a company is in the circumstance specified in Item (1) of
Article 181 hereof, it may continue to exist through amendment of
the company’s articles of association.
Where the
company’s articles of association are amended according to the
preceding paragraph, the matter shall be adopted by two-thirds or
more of the voting rights of the shareholders in the case of a
limited liability company, or two-thirds or more of the voting
rights of the shareholders present at the shareholders’ general
meeting in the case of a company limited by shares.
Article 183:
Where there are serious difficulties in the operation and management
of the company and the continual existence would cause major losses
to the rights and interests of the shareholders, and the
matter cannot be resolved through other means, shareholders
representing 10% or more of the voting rights of all shareholders of
the company may petition to the people’s court for dissolution of
the company.
Article 184:
When a company is to be dissolved pursuant to Item (1), (2), (4) or
(5) of Article 181 hereof, it shall establish a liquidation
committee and commence liquidation within 15 days of the date of
occurrence of the grounds for dissolution. In the case of a limited
liability company, such liquidation committee shall be composed of
its shareholders. In the case of a company limited by shares, such
liquidation committee shall be composed of persons decided upon by
the directors or shareholders’ general meeting. If no liquidation
committee is established and liquidation is not carried out within
the time limit, creditors may request the people’s court to
designate relevant persons to form a liquidation committee and carry
out liquidation. The people’s court shall accept such request and
timely organize a liquidation committee to carry out liquidation.
Article 185: A
liquidation committee shall exercise the following functions and
powers during liquidation:
1.
to
thoroughly examine the property of the company and prepare a balance
sheet and a schedule of property, respectively;
2.
to notify
creditors by notice or announcement;
3.
to dispose
of and liquidate relevant unfinished business of the company;
4.
to pay all
outstanding taxes in full as well as taxes arising in the course of
liquidation;
5.
to clear
the claims and debts;
6.
to dispose
of the property remained after full payment of the company's debts;
and
7.
to
participate in civil litigation activities on behalf of the
company.
Article 186:
A liquidation committee shall notify creditors within a period of 10
days commencing from the date of its establishment and, within 60
days, make newspaper announcement of the liquidation. Creditors
shall, within a period of 30 days commencing from the date of
receipt of the written notification, or within a period of 45 days
commencing from the date of the announcement for those who do not
receive written notification, declare their claims to the
liquidation committee.
When declaring
their claims, creditors shall explain relevant particulars of their
claims and provide supporting material. Claims shall be registered
by the liquidation committee.
During the period
of declaration of claims, the liquidation committee may not repay
the debts to the creditors.
Article 187:
After a liquidation committee has thoroughly examined the company's
property and prepared a balance sheet and a schedule of property, it
shall formulate a liquidation plan and submit the same to the
shareholders' meeting, shareholders' general meeting or the people’s
court for confirmation.
The property of a
company remained after the property is respectively applied to
payment of the liquidation expenses, the wages, social insurance
premiums and statutory compensation of staff and workers and the
outstanding taxes, and to full payment of the debts of the company
shall be distributed, in the case of a limited liability company, in
proportion to the capital contributions of its shareholders and, in
the case of a company limited by shares, in proportion to the
shareholdings of its shareholders.
During
liquidation, a company shall continue to exist, but it may not
engage in new business activities unrelated to liquidation. Company
property may not be distributed among shareholders prior to full
repayment in accordance with the stipulations of the preceding
paragraph.
Article 188:
If the liquidation committee, having thoroughly examined the
company's property and prepared a balance sheet and a schedule of
property, discovers that the company's property is insufficient to
pay its debts in full, it shall apply to the people's court for
declaration of insolvency according to law.
After the people's
court has ruled to declare the company insolvent, the company's
liquidation committee shall turn over the liquidation matters to the
people's court.
Article 189:
Following the completion of liquidation, the liquidation committee
shall compile a liquidation report and submit the same to the
shareholders' meeting, shareholders' general meeting or the people’s
court for confirmation, as well as to the company registry. In
addition, the liquidation committee shall apply for cancellation of
the company's registration and announce the company's termination.
Article 190:
Members of a liquidation committee shall be faithful in the
discharge of their duties and perform their liquidation obligations
according to law.
Members of a
liquidation committee may not abuse their authority to accept bribes
or other illegal income and may not seize company property.
If members of a
liquidation committee willfully or through gross negligence cause
loss to the company or its creditors, they shall be liable for
compensation.
Article 191:
Where a company is declared bankrupt according to law, it shall be
subject to insolvency liquidation according to the laws on
enterprise insolvency.
PART ELEVEN:
BRANCHES OF FOREIGN COMPANIES
Article 192:
For the purposes of this Law, the term “foreign companies” shall
mean companies incorporated outside the PRC in accordance with a
foreign country’s law.
Article 193:
To establish a branch in the PRC, a foreign company shall file an
application with China's competent authority and submit relevant
documents such as its articles of association, the company
registration certificate issued by its country, etc. Upon approval,
it shall carry out registration procedures with the company registry
according to law and obtain a business licence.
Measures for
examination and approval of branches of foreign companies shall be
separately determined by the State Council.
Article 194:
A foreign company that establishes a branch in the PRC must
designate a representative or agent in the PRC to be responsible for
such branch and shall allocate an amount of funds to such branch
commensurate with the business activities in which it is to engage.
If it is necessary
to prescribe a minimum amount of operating funds of branches of
foreign companies, such amount shall be separately prescribed by the
State Council.
Article 195:
The name of a branch of a foreign company shall indicate the
nationality and form of liability of such foreign company.
The branch of a
foreign company shall keep at its office a copy of such foreign
company's articles of association.
Article 196:
Branches established in the PRC by foreign companies shall not have
the status of Chinese legal persons.
Foreign companies
shall be civilly liable for the business activities carried out in
the PRC by their branches.
Article 197:
The business activities engaged in within the PRC by foreign
companies' branches that have been established upon approval must
comply with the law of China and may not harm China's public
interest. The lawful rights and interests of such branches shall be
protected by the laws of China.
Article 198:
When a foreign company closes its branch in the PRC, it must pay its
debts in full according to law and carry out liquidation in
accordance with the provisions of this Law concerning company
liquidation procedure. Such foreign company may not transfer its
branch's property out of the PRC prior to full payment of its debts.
PART TWELVE: LEGAL
LIABILITY
Article 199:
If, in violation of the provisions hereof, company registration is
obtained by means of reporting a false amount of registered capital
or by submitting false materials or resorting to other fraudulent
methods to conceal major facts, the company registry shall order
rectification and, in the case of a company that reported a false
amount of registered capital, the company shall be fined not less
than 5% and not more than 15% of the false amount of registered
capital and, in the case of a company that submitted false materials
or resorted to other fraudulent methods to conceal major facts, the
company shall be fined not less than Rmb 50,000 and not more
than Rmb 500,000. In serious cases, the company’s
registration or the business licence shall be revoked.
Article 200:
If promoters or shareholders of a company make false capital
contributions by failing to pay or deliver or pay or deliver
according to schedule currency or non-currency property as capital
contribution, the company registry shall order rectification, and a
fine of not less than 5% and not more than 15% of the amount of
false capital contribution shall be imposed.
Article 201:
If promoters or shareholders of a company surreptitiously withdraw
their capital contributions after the company has been established,
the company registry shall order rectification, and a fine of not
less than 5% and not more than 15% of the amount of capital
contribution withdrawn surreptitiously shall be imposed.
Article 202:
If a company violates this Law by establishing account books in
addition to those required by law, the finance department of the
people’s government at county level or above shall order
rectification, and a fine of not less than Rmb 50,000 and not
more than Rmb 500,000 shall be imposed.
Article 203:
If
a company makes false record or conceals major facts in the
materials provided to the relevant department in charge such as the
financial and accounting reports, the relevant department in charge
shall impose a fine of not less than Rmb 30,000 and not more
than Rmb 300,000 on the personnel in charge that are directly
responsible and other directly responsible personnel.
Article 204:
If a company fails to make allocations to the statutory common
reserve in accordance with the provisions hereof, the finance
department of the people’s government at county level or above shall
order the company to allocate the full amount to be allocated, and
may impose a fine of not more than Rmb 200,000 on the
company.
Article 205:
If a company, when being merged or divided, reducing its registered
capital or carrying out liquidation, fails to notify its creditors
or to announce the same to its creditors in accordance with the
provisions hereof, the company registry shall order rectification,
and the company shall be fined not less than Rmb 10,000 and
not more than Rmb 100,000.
If a company in
liquidation conceals property, records false information in its
balance sheet or schedule of property or distributes company
property prior to full payment of its debts, the company registry
shall order rectification, and the company shall be fined not less
than 5% and not more than 10% of the amount of property concealed or
the amount of company property distributed prior to full repayment
of its debts. The personnel in charge that are directly responsible
and other directly responsible personnel shall be fined not less
than Rmb 10,000 and not more than Rmb 100,000.
Article 206:
If a company, during the period of liquidation, engages in business
activities unrelated to liquidation, the company registry shall
issue a warning and confiscate the illegal income.
Article 207:
If a liquidation committee fails to submit a liquidation report to
the company registry in accordance with the provisions hereof or if
the liquidation report submitted conceals major facts or contains
major omissions, the company registry shall order rectification.
If members of a
liquidation committee use their authority to engage in graft, seek
illegal income or seize company property, the company registry shall
order them to return the company property, confiscate the illegal
income and may impose a fine of not less than the amount of and not
more than five times the illegal income.
Article 208:
If an organization undertaking asset valuation, capital verification
or other verification provides sham materials, the company registry
shall confiscate its illegal income, impose a fine of not less than
the amount of and not more than five times the amount of the illegal
income, and the relevant departments in charge may order the
organization to cease business, revoke the qualification
certificates of the personnel directly responsible and revoke the
business licence according to law.
If an
organization undertaking asset valuation, capital verification or
other verification provides a report containing serious omissions
due to negligence, the company registry shall order rectification.
If the circumstances are relatively serious, it shall be fined not
less than the amount of and not more than five times revenue
obtained and, in addition, the relevant departments in charge may
order the organization to cease business, revoke the qualification
certificates of the personnel directly responsible and revoke the
business licence according to law. If the valuation result, capital
verification or other verification issued by an organization
undertaking asset valuation, capital verification or other
verification is proved to be false, thereby causing losses to the
creditors of a company, the organization shall bear the liability
for compensation to the extent of the amount of the false valuation
or verification unless it is able to prove that it is not at fault.
Article 209:
If a company registry grants registration to an application for
registration that does not satisfy the conditions set forth herein,
or does not grant registration to an application that satisfies the
conditions set forth herein, administrative penalty shall be imposed
on the personnel in charge that are directly responsible and on
other directly responsible personnel according to law.
Article 210:
If authorities at a level higher than a company registry force the
company registry to grant registration to an application for
registration that does not satisfy the conditions set forth herein
or not to grant registration to an application for registration that
satisfies the conditions set forth herein, or if they cover up an
illegal registration, administrative penalty shall be imposed on the
personnel in charge that are directly responsible and on other
directly responsible personnel according to law.
Article 211:
If an entity that has not been registered according to law as a
limited liability company or company limited by shares passes itself
off as a limited liability company or company limited by shares, or
an entity that has not been registered according to law as the
branch of a limited liability company or company limited by shares
passes itself off as the branch of a limited liability company or
company limited by shares, the company registry shall order
rectification or close down the entity, and may impose a fine of not
more than Rmb 100,000.
Article 212:
If a company without proper reason fails to commence business within
six months following its establishment or, after having commenced
business, voluntarily suspends business for more than six months,
its business licence may be revoked by the company registry.
If a change occurs
in a particular of company registration and the relevant change is
not registered in accordance with regulations, the company registry
shall order registration within a time limit and, if registration
procedures are not carried out within such time limit, a fine of not
less than Rmb 10,000 and not more than Rmb 100,000
shall be imposed.
Article 213:
If a foreign company violates the provisions hereof by establishing
a branch in China without authorization, the company registry shall
order rectification or shut down the branch, and may impose a fine
of not less than Rmb 50,000 and not more than Rmb
200,000.
Article 214:
If serious illegal acts that harm State security and social and
public interests are carried out in the name of the company, the
business licence shall be revoked.
Article 215:
Companies that violate the provisions hereof shall assume civil
liability for compensation and be subject to fines, and such
company's property is insufficient to pay such compensation and
fine, it shall first assume civil liability for compensation.
Article 216:
Where the provisions hereof are violated and a criminal offence is
constituted, criminal liability shall be pursued according to law.
PART THIRTEEN:
SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
Article
217:
The meanings of the following terms in this Law:
1.
“senior
management personnel” means the manager, deputy manager and person
in charge of financial affairs of a company and, in the case of a
listed company, the secretary to the board of directors and other
personnel specified in the articles of association.
2.
“controlling shareholder” means the shareholder whose capital
contribution accounts for 50% or more of the total capital of a
limited liability company or whose shareholding accounts for 50% or
more of the total share capital of a company limited by shares; or
the shareholder whose capital contribution or shareholding is less
than 50% but whose voting rights pursuant to such capital
contribution or shareholding are sufficient to have a major impact
on the resolutions of the shareholders’ meeting or shareholders’
general meeting.
3.
“de facto
controlling person” means a person who, although not a shareholder
of the company, is capable of actually controlling the conduct of
the company through investment relations, agreements or other
arrangements.
4.
“affiliation” means the relationship between the controlling
shareholder, de facto controlling person, director, supervisor or
senior management personnel of a company and an enterprise directly
or indirectly by him as well as any other relationship that may lead
to a transfer of the interests of the company. However, there shall
be no affiliation between State-controlled enterprises merely due to
the fact that the State has a controlling interest in both of them.
Article
218:
This Law shall apply to foreign-invested limited liability companies
and companies limited by shares. Where laws on foreign investment
have other stipulations, such stipulations shall apply.
Article
219:
This Law shall be implemented as of 1 January 2006.
Copyright © 2007 CCH Asia Pte Limited.
All Rights Reserved |