The Ministry of Transportation issued the revised Provisions on the Administration of Business Licensing for General Aviation (Order of the Ministry of Transportation [2016] No. 31)(“Order No. 31”) on April 7, 2016. Order No. 31, which became effective on June 1, 2016 amended the Provisions on the Administration of Business Licensing for General Aviation issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China in 2007 (Order of the Civil Aviation Administration of China [2007] No. 176) (“Order No. 176”).
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Sharon Xu
Revisions to Measure for Certification of High and New Technology Enterprise
On January 29, 2016, the State Administration of Taxation, the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Science and Technology jointly issued the Revised Measure for Certification of High and New Technology Enterprise (Guo Ke Fa Huo [2016] No. 32) (the “Revised Measure”). The Revised Measure is an amendment to the Measure for Certification of High and New Technology Enterprise issued in 2008 (the “Old Measure”). The Revised Measure reduces certain qualification thresholds for High and New Technology Enterprise (“HNTE”) and expands the ambit of “high and new technology” in an effort to support the development of small and medium size high tech companies and encourage the innovation of new technologies in light of the changing environment. In addition, the Revised Measure introduces a number of new requirements to strengthen the supervision and administration of HNTE incentive. As a background information, the existing corporate income tax rate in China is 25%, company certified as HNTE is entitled to a reduced corporate income tax rate of 15%.
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State Council Approved Pilot Program to Promote Service Trade
China Premier Li Keqiang presided over a State Council executive meeting on February 14, 2016 in which it was decided that China would commence a new pilot program (the “Pilot Program”) in ten cities and provinces along with five new districts to provide more flexible rules to boost service trade. On February 22, 2016, the State Council issued the Official Reply of the State Council on Approving the Commencement of Service Trade Pilot Program (Guohan [2016] No. 40) (国务院关于同意开展服务贸易创新发展试点的批复) which disclosed more details about this Pilot Program.
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New Customs Credit Measures
The General Administrations of Customs issued the Interim Measures of the Customs of the People’s Republic of China for the Administration of Enterprise Credit (the “Interim Measures”) on October 8th, 2014, which is effective as of December 1, 2014.
Under the Interim Measures, companies are classified by the China Customs into the following three categories based on their credit status: (i) authorized enterprise (认证企业); (ii) general credit enterprise (一般信用企业); and (iii) uncreditable enterprise (失信企业).Continue Reading New Customs Credit Measures
Supreme Court’s Latest Interpretation on Late Payment Interest
The Supreme People’s Court of China recently issued an interpretation on how to calculate the interest accrued on delayed payment – Interpretation of the Supreme People’s Court of Several Issues Concerning the Applicable Law for Calculating Interest On Delayed Payment in the Enforcement Action (FaShi [2014] No.8).
The Interpretation made a clear distinction between General Interest and Penalty Interest, provided guidance on when and how to calculate Penalty Interest, including interest payment in foreign currency.Continue Reading Supreme Court’s Latest Interpretation on Late Payment Interest
China Business Registration Reform
On February 7, 2014, the State Council issued Notice on Reform Plans of Registration Policies of Registered Capital, GuoFa [2014] No. 7 (the “Notice”) providing guidelines on business registration reforms of companies in China. The objective of the reform is to relax the administration on market entry and optimize the business investment environment.
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