【章名】 第一章 总 则

第一条 为建立企业法人登记管理制度，确认企业法人资格，保障企业合法权益，取缔非法经营，维护社会经济秩序，根据《中华人民共和国民法通则》的有关规定，制定本条例。

第二条 具备法人条件的下列企业，应当依照本条例的规定办理企业法人登记：
（一）全民所有制企业；
（二）集体所有制企业；
（三）联营企业；
（四）在中华人民共和国境内设立的中外合资经营企业、中外合作经营企业和外资企业；
（五）私营企业；
（六）依法需要办理企业法人登记的其他企业。

第三条 申请企业法人登记，经企业法人登记主管机关审核，准予登记注册的，领取《企业法人营业执照》，取得法人资格，其合法权益受国家法律保护。依法需要办理企业法人登记的，未经企业法人登记主管机关核准登记注册，不得从事经营活动。

【章名】 第二章 登记主管机关

第四条 企业法人登记主管机关（以下简称登记主管机关）是国家工商行政管理局和地方各级工商行政管理局。各级登记主管机关在上级登记主管机关的领导下，依法履行职责，不受非法干预。

第五条 经国务院或者国务院授权部门批准的全国性公司、企业集团、经营进出口业务的公司，由国家工商行政管理局核准登记注册。中外合资经营企业、中外合作经营企业、外资企业由国家工商行政管理局或者国家工商行政管理局授权的地方工商行政管理局核准登记注册。
全国性公司的子（分）公司，经省、自治区、直辖市人民政府或其授权部门批准设立的企业、企业集团、经营进出口业务的公司，由省、自治区、直辖市工商行政管理局核准登记注册。其他企业，由所在市、县（区）工商行政管理局核准登记注册。

第六条 各级登记主管机关，应当建立企业法人登记档案和登记统计制度，掌握企业法人登记有关的基础信息，为发展有计划的商品经济服务。
登记主管机关应当根据社会需要，有计划地开展向公众提供企业法人登记资料的服务。

【章名】 第三章 登记条件和申请登记单位

第七条 申请企业法人登记的单位应当具备下列条件：
（一）名称、组织机构和章程；
（二）固定的经营场所和必要的设施；
（三）符合国家规定并与其生产经营和服务规模相适应的资金数额和从业人员；
（四）能够独立承担民事责任；
（五）符合国家法律、法规和政策规定的经营范围。

第八条 企业办理企业法人登记，由该企业的组建负责人申请。
独立承担民事责任的联营企业办理企业法人登记，由联营企业的组建负责人申请。

【章名】 第四章 登记注册事项

第九条 企业法人登记注册的主要事项：企业法人名称、住所、经营场所、法定代表人、经济性质、经营范围、经营方式、注册资金、从业人数、经营期限、分支机构。

第十条 企业法人只准使用一个名称。企业法人申请登记注册的名称由登记主管机关核定，经核准登记注册后在规定的范围内享有专用权。
申请设立中外合资经营企业、中外合作经营企业和外资企业应当在合同、章程审批之前，向登记主管机关申请企业名称登记。

第十一条 登记主管机关核准登记注册的企业法人的法定代表人是代表企业行使职权的签字人。法定代表人的签字应当向登记主管机关备案。

第十二条 注册资金是国家授予企业法人经营管理的财产或者企业法人自有财产的数额体现。
企业法人办理开业登记，申请注册的资金数额与实有资金不一致的，按照国家专项规定办理。

第十三条 企业法人的经营范围应当与其资金、场地、设备、从业人员以及技术力量相适应；按照国家有关规定，可以一业为主，兼营他业。企业法人应当在核准登记注册的经营范围内从事经营活动。

【章名】 第五章 开业登记

第十四条 企业法人办理开业登记，应当在主管部门或者审批机关批准后三十日内，向登记主管机关提出申请；没有主管部门、审批机关的企业申请开业登记，由登记主管机关进行审查。登记主管机关应当在受理申请后三十日内，做出核准登记或者不予核准登记的决定。

第十五条 申请企业法人开业登记，应当提交下列文件、证件：
（一）组建负责人签署的登记申请书；
（二）主管部门或者审批机关的批准文件；
（三）组织章程；
（四）资金信用证明、验资证明或者资金担保；
（五）企业主要负责人的身份证明；
（六）住所和经营场所使用证明；
（七）其他有关文件、证件。

第十六条 申请企业法人开业登记的单位，经登记主管机关核准登记注册，领取《企业法人营业执照》后，企业即告成立。企业法人凭据《企业法人营业执照》可以刻制公章、开立银行帐户、签订合同，进行经营活动。登记主管机关可以根据企业法人开展业务的需要，核发《企业法人营业执照》副本。

【章名】 第六章 变更登记

第十七条 企业法人改变名称、住所、经营场所、法定代表人、经济性质、经营范围、经营方式、注册资金、经营期限，以及增设或者撤销分支机构，应当申请办理变更登记。

第十八条 企业法人申请变更登记，应当在主管部门或者审批机关批准后三十日内，向登记主管机关申请办理变更登记。

第十九条 企业法人分立、合并、迁移，应当在主管部门或者审批机关批准后三十日内，向登记主管机关申请办理变更登记、开业登记或者注销登记。

【章名】 第七章 注销登记

第二十条 企业法人歇业、被撤销、宣告破产或者因其他原因终止营业，应当向登记主管机关办理注销登记。

第二十一条 企业法人办理注销登记，应当提交法定代表人签署的申请注销登记报告、主管部门或者审批机关的批准文件、清理债务完结的证明或者清算组织负责清理债权债务的文件。经登记主管机关核准后，收缴《企业法人营业执照》、《企业法人营业执照》副本，收缴公章，并将注销登记情况告知其开户银行。

第二十二条 企业法人领取《企业法人营业执照》后，满六个月尚未开展经营活动或者停止经营活动满一年的，视同歇业，登记主管机关应当收缴《企业法人营业执照》、《企业法人营业执照》副本，收缴公章，并将注销登记情况告知其开户银行。

【章名】 第八章 公告、年检和证照管理

第二十三条 企业开业、变更名称、注销，由登记主管机关发布企业法人登记公告。 未经登记主管机关批准，其他单位不得发布企业法人登记公告。

第二十四条 企业法人登记管理实行年度检验制度。企业法人应当按照登记主管机关规定的时间提交年检报告书、资金平衡表或者资产负债表。登记主管机关应当对企业法人登记的主要事项进行审查。

第二十五条 登记主管机关核发的《企业法人营业执照》是企业法人凭证，除登记主管机关依照法定程序可以扣缴或者吊销外，其他任何单位和个人不得收缴、扣押、毁坏。企业法人遗失《企业法人营业执照》、《企业法人营业执照》副本，必须登报声明后，方可申请补领。
《企业法人营业执照》、《企业法人营业执照》副本，不得伪造、涂改、出租、出借、转让、出卖和擅自复印。

第二十六条 企业法人办理开业登记、变更登记、年度检验，应当按照规定缴纳登记费、年检费。开业登记费按注册资金总额的１‰缴纳；注册资金超过一千万元的，超过部分按０．５‰缴纳；注册资金超过一亿元的，超过部分不再缴纳。登记费最低额为五十元。变更登记费、年检费的缴纳数额由国家工商行政管理局规定。

【章名】 第九章 事业单位、科技性的社会团体从事经营活动的登记管理

第二十七条 事业单位、科技性的社会团体根据国家有关规定，设立具备法人条件的企业，由该企业申请登记，经登记主管机关核准，领取《企业法人营业执照》，方可从事经营活动。

第二十八条 根据国家有关规定，实行企业化经营，国家不再核拨经费的事业单位和从事经营活动的科技性的社会团体，具备企业法人登记条件的，由该单位申请登记，经登记主管机关核准，领取《企业法人营业执照》，方可从事经营活动。

【章名】 第十章 监督管理

第二十九条 登记主管机关对企业法人依法履行下列监督管理职责：
（一）监督企业法人按照规定办理开业、变更、注销登记；
（二）监督企业法人按照登记注册事项和章程、合同从事经营活动；
（三）监督企业法人和法定代表人遵守国家法律、法规和政策；
（四）制止和查处企业法人的违法经营活动，保护企业法人的合法权益。

第三十条 企业法人有下列情形之一的，登记主管机关可以根据情况分别给予警告、罚款、没收非法所得、停业整顿、扣缴、吊销《企业法人营业执照》的处罚：
（一）登记中隐瞒真实情况、弄虚作假或者未经核准登记注册擅自开业的；
（二）擅自改变主要登记事项或者超出核准登记的经营范围从事经营活动的；
（三）不按照规定办理注销登记或者不按照规定报送年检报告书，办理年检的；
（四）伪造、涂改、出租、出借、转让、出卖或者擅自复印《企业法人营业执照》、《企业法人营业执照》副本的；
（五）抽逃、转移资金，隐匿财产逃避债务的；
（六）从事非法经营活动的。
对企业法人按照上述规定进行处罚时，应当根据违法行为的情节，追究法定代表人的行政责任、经济责任；触犯刑律的，由司法机关依法追究刑事责任。

第三十一条 登记主管机关处理企业法人违法活动，必须查明事实，依法处理，并将处理决定书面通知当事人。

第三十二条 企业法人对登记主管机关的处罚不服时，可以在收到处罚通知后十五日内向上一级登记主管机关申请复议。上级登记主管机关应当在收到复议申请之日起三十日内作出复议决定。申请人对复议决定不服的，可以在收到复议通知之日起三十日内向人民法院起诉。逾期不提出申诉又不缴纳罚没款的，登记主管机关可以按照规定程序通知其开户银行予以划拨。

第三十三条 企业法人被吊销《企业法人营业执照》，登记主管机关应当收缴其公章，并将注销登记情况告知其开户银行，其债权债务由主管部门或者清算组织负责清理。

第三十四条 主管部门、审批机关、登记主管机关的工作人员违反本条例规定，严重失职、滥用职权、营私舞弊、索贿受贿或者侵害企业法人合法权益的，应当根据情节给予行政处分和经济处罚；触犯刑律的，由司法机关依法追究刑事责任。

【章名】 第十一章 附 则

第三十五条 企业法人设立不能独立承担民事责任的分支机构，由该企业法人申请登记，经登记主管机关核准，领取《营业执照》，在核准登记的经营范围内从事经营活动。
根据国家有关规定，由国家核拨经费的事业单位、科技性的社会团体从事经营活动或者设立不具备法人条件的企业，由该单位申请登记，经登记主管机关核准，领取《营业执照》，在核准登记的经营范围内从事经营活动。具体登记管理参照本条例的规定执行。

第三十六条 经国务院有关部门或者各级计划部门批准的新建企业，其筹建期满一年的，应当按照专项规定办理筹建登记。

第三十七条 本条例施行前，具备法人条件的企业，已经登记主管机关核准登记注册的，不再另行办理企业法人登记。

第三十八条 本条例由国家工商行政管理局负责解释；施行细则由国家工商行政管理局制定。

第三十九条 本条例自１９８８年７月１日起施行。１９８０年７月２６日国务院发布的《中外合资经营企业登记管理办法》，１９８２年８月９日国务院发布的《工商企业登记管理条例》，１９８５年８月１４日国务院批准、１９８５年８月２５日国家工商行政管理局发布的《公司登记管理暂行规定》同时废止。(附英文)

【名称】 REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOR CONTROLLING THEREGISTRATION OF ENTERPRISES AS LEGAL PERSONS

【题注】

【章名】 Important Notice: (注意事项)
英文本源自中华人民共和国务院法制局编译, 中国法制出版社出版的《中华人民共和国涉外法规汇编》(1991年7月版).
当发生歧意时, 应以法律法规颁布单位发布的中文原文为准.

This English document is coming from the "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE  PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7)
which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State  Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China  Legal System Publishing House. In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.

【章名】 Whole Document (法规全文)

REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA FOR CONTROLLING THE   REGISTRATION OF ENTERPRISES AS LEGAL PERSONS
(Adopted by the Fourth Executive Meeting of the State Council on  May 13, 1988, promulgated by Decree No. 1 of the State Council of the  People's Republic of China on June 3, 1988, and effective as of July 1, 1988)

【章名】 Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1
In accordance with relevant provisions of the General Principles of the  Civil Law of the People's Republic of China, the present Regulations are  formulated with a view to establishing a system for controlling the  registration of enterprises as legal persons, confirming their status as  such, safeguarding their legitimate rights and interests, stamping out  illegal business operations, and preserving social and economic order.

Article 2
Any of the following enterprises which are qualified as legal persons  shall register as such in accordance with the relevant provisions of the  present Regulations:
(1) enterprises owned by the whole people;
(2) enterprises under collective ownership;
(3) jointly operated enterprises;
(4) Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, Chinese-foreign contractual  joint ventures and foreign-capital enterprises established within the  territory of the People's Republic of China;
(5) privately operated enterprises;
(6) other enterprises required by the law to register as legal persons.

Article 3
Those enterprises applying for registration as legal persons shall be  given Business Licenses for Enterprises as Legal Persons and the status of  legal persons when their applications for registration have been examined  and approved by the authorities in charge of the registration of  enterprises as legal persons and their legitimate rights and interests  shall be protected by laws of the State.  Those enterprises, which are required by law to register as legal persons  but which have not gone through the procedures of examination and approval  registration by the authorities in charge of the registration of  enterprises as legal persons, shall not be allowed to engage in business  operations.

【章名】 Chapter II Registration Authorities

Article 4
The authorities in charge of the registration of enterprises as legal  persons (hereinafter referred to as the registration authorities) are the  State Administration for Industry and Commerce and administrative  departments for industry and commerce at various levels. Registration  authorities at various levels shall perform their functions according to  law under the leadership of higher registration authorities and be free  from unlawful interference.

Article 5
The registration of national corporations, enterprise groups and  corporations handling import-export business set up with the approval of  the State Council or departments authorized by the State Council shall be  examined and approved by the State Administration for Industry and  Commerce. The registration of Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, Chinese-foreign contractual joint ventures and foreign-capital enterprises  shall be examined and approved by the State Administration for Industry   and Commerce or by local administrative departments for industry and  commerce authorized by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce. The registration of son (or branch) companies of national corporations, enterprises, enterprise groups or companies handling import-export trade  established with the approval of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government  or departments authorized by them shall be examined and approved by the   administrative departments for industry and commerce of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central  Government. The registration of other enterprises shall be examined and  approved by the administrative departments for industry and commerce of  the cities of counties (districts) where the enterprises are located.

Article 6
Registration authorities at various levels shall institute a file of the   registration of enterprises as legal persons and a system for tabulating   statistics relating to such registration, and collect basic information  about the registration of enterprises as legal persons so as to serve the  development of a planned commodity economy. Registration authorities  shall offer, in a planned manner and according to the needs of society, the service of providing the public with data about the registration of  enterprises as legal persons.

【章名】 Chapter III Conditions for Registration and Entities to Apply for Registration

Article 7
Entities applying for registration as enterprises as legal persons must  satisfy the following conditions, i.e. having:
(1) name, organization and articles of association;
(2) fixed sites for business operations and essential facilities;
(3) funds and employees in conformity with State regulations and in line  with their scale of production, operation or service;
(4) ability to bear civil liabilities independently;
(5) a scope of business in conformity with the provisions of the relevant  laws, regulations and policies of the State.

Article 8
The application of an enterprise for registration as a legal person shall  be filed by the person responsible for establishing the enterprise.  The registration as a legal person of a jointly operated enterprise which  bears civil liabilities independently shall be applied for by the person  responsible for initiating the said enterprise.

【章名】 Chapter IV Items of Registration

Article 9
The major items to be registered for an enterprise as a legal person are: name, residence, site for business operation, legal representative,  economic nature, scope of business, mode of operation, registered capital, number of employees, duration of operation and subdivisions.

Article 10
An enterprise as a legal person shall use only one name. The name to be  used by the enterprise as a legal person in its application for  registration shall be examined by the registration authorities and, after  it is approved and registered, the enterprise as a legal person shall  enjoy the right to the exclusive use of the registered name within a  definite limit. Those who apply for establishing Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures, Chinese-foreign contractual joint ventures or foreign-capital enterprises  shall apply to the registration authorities for registering the names of  the enterprises before their contracts and articles of association are  examined and approved.

Article 11
The legal representative of an enterprise as a legal person, which has  been registered after examination and approval by a registration  authority, shall be the signatory who exercises functions and powers on  behalf of the enterprise. The signature of the legal representative shall  be submitted to the registration authority for the record.

Article 12
The registered capital of an enterprise as a legal person represents the  total value of the property the State entrusts to it for operation and  management or that of the property owned by the enterprise itself. When an enterprise as a legal person registers for starting operations, the discrepancy between the sum of capital it applies for registration and  the sum of capital it actually possesses shall be handled in accordance  with specific regulations of the State.

Article 13
The scope of business of an enterprise as a legal person shall be in  harmony with its capital, sites, equipment, employees and technical force. It may focus on one line of business as its main operation while engaging  in other operations simultaneously in accordance with relevant regulations  of the State. An enterprise as a legal person shall engage in operations  within the scope of business as approved in registration.

【章名】 Chapter V Registration for Starting Operations

Article 14
An enterprise as a legal person shall apply to a registration authority  for registration for starting operations within 30 days after the approval  of the department in charge of it or that of an authority for examination  and approval. For an enterprise which does not have a department in charge  or authority for examination and approval, its application for  registration for starting operations shall be examined by a registration  authority. The registration authority shall make a decision of approval or  disapproval of the application for registration within 30 days after  receiving it.

Article 15
An enterprise as a legal person shall submit the following papers when  applying for registration for starting operations:
(1) an application for registration signed by the person responsible for  its establishment;
(2) the document of approval issued by the department in charge or the  authority for examination and approval;
(3) its articles of association;
(4) a certificate of its credit worthiness, a certificate of the  verification of its capital or a guarantee for its capital;
(5) a certificate of the identity of the principal responsible person of  the enterprise;
(6) a certificate of the right to use the residence and site for  operation;
(7) other relevant papers and certificates.

Article 16
When the application filed by an entity for starting operations as an  enterprise as a legal person has been examined and approved by a  registration authority and a Business Licenses for Enterprises as a Legal  Person is received, the enterprise shall be considered as established. The  enterprises as a legal person may henceforth have its official seal made, open a bank account, sign contracts and conduct business operations by  dint of its Business License. The registration authority may, after a check-up, issue duplicates of the  Business License, if the enterprise as a legal person needs them for its  business operations.

【章名】 Chapter VI Changes in Registration
Article 17
An enterprise as a legal person shall apply for making changes in its  registration whenever it changes its name, residence, site, legal  representative, economic nature, scope of business, mode of operation, registered capital or duration of operation and whenever it increases or  disbands its branches.

Article 18
An enterprise as a legal person shall apply to the registration authority  for making changes in its registration within 30 days after the changes  are approved by the department in charge or by the authority for  examination and approval.

Article 19
An enterprise as a legal person shall apply to the registration authority  for making changes in its registration, or for registration for starting  operations or for cancelling its registration, whenever it is split up, or merged with others or moved elsewhere, within 30 days after these  changes are approved by the department in charge or by the authority for  examination and approval.

【章名】 Chapter VII Cancellation of Registration
Article 20
An enterprise as a legal person shall go through the procedures for  cancelling its registration with the registration authority when it closes  down, is dissolved, declares bankruptcy or terminates its business  operations for other reasons.

Article 21
Whenever an enterprise as a legal person is to cancel its registration, it  must submit an application signed by its legal representative, a document  of approval issued by the department in charge or by the authority for  examination and approval, a certificate showing the completion of the  clearing up of its liabilities, or a document showing that a liquidation  organization will be responsible for clearing up its creditor's rights and  liabilities. The registration authority, after examining and approving the  application, shall recall the Business License for Enterprise as a Legal  Person, duplicates of the License, take over the official seal of the   enterprise, and notify the banks at which it has opened an account of the   cancellation of its registration.

Article 22
An enterprise as a legal person, which fails to start operations 6 months  after receiving its Business License for Enterprise as a Legal Person or  which has ceased its operations for a year, shall be regarded as having  closed down, and the registration authority shall recall its Business  License for Enterprises as a Legal Person, duplicates of the License, take  over its official seal and notify the banks at which it has opened an  account of the cancellation of its registration.

【章名】 Chapter VIII Announcement, Annual Check-up and Control of Certi- ficates
Article 23
The registration authority shall issue registration announcements whenever  an enterprise as a legal person starts operations, changes its name or  cancels its registration. No other organ shall be entitled to issue such  announcements without the approval of the registration authority.

Article 24
A system for conducting annual check-up shall be instituted to administer  the registration of enterprises as legal persons. An enterprise as a legal  person shall submit its annual check-up report, its balance sheet or  statement of assets and liabilities to the registration authority at the  time it prescribes. The registration authority shall check up the major  items contained in the registration of the enterprise as a legal person.

Article 25
The Business License for Enterprises as a Legal Person issued by the  registration authority is the certificate of an enterprise as a legal  person. Except the registration authority, which may withhold or cancel it  in accordance with the legal procedures, no other organ or individual is  entitled to take over, detain or destroy it. An enterprise as a legal  person, which has lost its Business License for Enterprise as a Legal  Person or duplicates of the License, must announce the loss in a newspaper  before it can apply for a replacement. The Business License for Enterprise as a Legal Person and its duplicates  may not be forged, altered, leased, lent, sold or reproduced without  permission.

Article 26
An enterprise as a legal person shall pay registration and annual check-up  fees according to the rules when it registers for starting operations and  applies for making changes in its registration and when it receives the  annual check-up. The fees to be charged on registration for starting  operations shall be 0.1% of the sum of the enterprise's registered  capital; in cases where the registered capital exceeds 10 million yuan, the fees to be charged on the portion in excess of the said sum shall be  0.05% of it; in cases where the registered capital exceeds 100 million   yuan, no fees shall be charged on the portion in excess of the said sum. The minimum registration fee shall be 50 yuan. Fees to be charged on  making changes in the registration and conducting the annual check-up  shall be prescribed by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce.

【章名】 Chapter IX Control of the Registration of Business Operations by Institutions and Scientific and Technological Public Organizations
Article 27
When institutions or scientific and technological public organizations  establish enterprises qualified as legal persons in line with relevant  regulations of the state, the applications for registration shall be filed  by the enterprises. They may engage in business operations only after  their applications for registration have been approved by the registration  authorities and after they have received their respective Business  Licenses for Enterprise as a Legal Person.

Article 28
Institutions, which are run like enterprises in accordance with relevant  regulations of the State and which no longer receive operating funds from  the State, or scientific and technological public organizations which are  established for business operations, shall apply for registration if they  are qualified to be enterprises as legal persons. They may engage in  business operations only after their applications have been approved by  the registration authorities and they have received their respective  Business Licenses for Enterprise as a Legal Person.

【章名】 Chapter X Supervision and Control
Article 29
The registration authorities shall exercise the following functions of  supervision and control over enterprises as legal persons according to  law:
(1) supervising the registration for starting operations, the application  for making changes and the cancellation of registration by enterprises as  legal persons according to regulations;
(2) supervising the conduct of business operations by enterprises as legal  persons in line with the items of registration, articles of association  and contracts;
(3) supervising the compliance of enterprises as legal persons and their  legal representatives with laws, regulations and policies of the State;
(4) stopping, investigating or dealing with illegal business operations of   enterprises as legal persons; protecting their legitimate rights and   interests.

Article 30
The registration authority may, in light of the circumstances, penalize an   enterprise as legal person by warning, fine, confiscation of illegal   earnings, suspension of business for consideration, or withholding or   revoking the Business License for Enterprise as a Legal Person, if it is   involved in any of the following case:
(1) concealing the true situation and resorting to deception in the course  of registration or starting operations before the approval of its  registration;
(2) altering major items in the registration without permission or  engaging in business operations beyond the scope of business as approved  in registration;
(3) failing to cancel registration according to the rules or failing to  submit the annual check-up report or receive the annual check-up;
(4) forging, altering, leasing, lending, transferring, selling or  reproducing the Business License for Enterprise as a Legal Person or its  duplicates without permission;
(5) withdrawing or transferring capital, concealing assets or dodging  liabilities;
(6) engaging in illegal business operations. While penalizing an enterprise as a legal person in line with the above  provisions, the registration authority shall investigate its legal  representative's administrative and economic responsibilities according to  the seriousness of the violations of the law; judicial organs shall   investigate the criminal responsibilities of those who have violated the   criminal law.

Article 31
The registration authority shall ascertain the facts and act according to  law when dealing with the illegal activities of an enterprise as a legal  person and notify the parties concerned of its decision in writing.

Article 32
When an enterprise as a legal person disagrees with the penalty meted out  by the registration authority, it may appeal within 15 days after  receiving the notice of penalty, to the immediate higher registration  authority for reconsideration. The higher registration authority shall  make a reconsideration decision within 30 days after receiving the appeal  for reconsideration. The enterprise may file a suit in a people's court  within 30 days after receiving the notice of reconsideration if it   disagrees with the reconsideration decision. The registration authority  may, in accordance with the prescribed procedures, ask the bank at which  the enterprise has an account to transfer from its account the sum to be  fined or confiscated as penalty, if it fails to appeal or to pay the fine  or the confiscated sum at the expiry of the prescribed period.

Article 33
When an enterprise as a legal person has its business license revoked, the   registration authority shall take over its official seal and notify the  bank at which it has an account of the cancellation of its registration, and the department in charge or a liquidation organization shall be  responsible for settling its creditor's rights and liabilities.

Article 34
Any functionary of the department in charge, the authority for examination  and approval or of the registration authority, who has violated the  present Regulations, neglected his duties to a serious extent, abused his  powers, practised graft and embezzlement, extorted and taken bribes or  encroached on the legitimate rights and interests of an enterprise as a  legal person, shall be given administrative or economic penalty in light  of the circumstances; the judicial organ shall investigate, according to  law, his criminal responsibility, if the violates the criminal law.

【章名】 Chapter XI Supplementary Provisions
Article 35
When an enterprise as a legal person establishes a branch which is  incapable of bearing civil liability independently, the registration of  the branch shall be applied for by the enterprise. The branch shall  receive a Business License after the application is approved by the  registration authority and may engage in business operations within the  scope of business as approved in registration. In accordance with relevant State regulations, administrative institutions  depending on State funding or scientific and technological social bodies  must apply for registration if they engage in business operations or  establish enterprises not qualified as legal persons. They shall receive  Business Licenses after their applications are approved by the  registration authorities and may engage in business operations within the   scope of business as approved in registration. The specific control of the registration involved shall be enforced with  reference to the provisions of the present Regulations.

Article 36
For new enterprises to be established with the approval of relevant  departments of the State Council or planning departments at various  levels, if their preparations have been under way for more than 1 year, applications for the registration of the establishment shall be filed  according to specific regulations.

Article 37
Enterprises qualified as legal persons, whose registration was approved by  the registration authorities before the present Regulations are put into  effect, are not required to go through the formalities again for  registration as enterprises as legal persons.

Article 38
The State Administration for Industry and Commerce shall be responsible  for interpreting the present Regulations; and the rules for their  implementation shall also be formulated by the State Administration for  Industry and Commerce.

Article 39
The present Regulations shall enter into force on July 1, 1988. The  Regulations for Controlling the Registration of Chinese-Foreign Equity  Joint Ventures promulgated by the State Council on July 26, 1980, the  Regulations for Controlling the Registration of Industrial and Commercial  Enterprises promulgated by the State Council on August 9, 1982, and the  Interim Provisions for Controlling the Registration of Companies approved  by the State Council on August 14, 1985 and promulgated by the State   Administration for Industry and Commerce on August 25, 1985 shall all be   abrogated on the same date.