How many organizations are there in Shanghai handling the approval of foreign investment projects? What sort of provisions are there?
There are altogether 50 organizations dealing with the approval of foreign investment projects in Shanghai. The Shanghai Foreign Investment Committee examines and approves projects with an investment between USD 10 million; the Foreign Economic and Trade Commissions in district-level governments, 6 foreign Economic and Trade Commissions in county-level governments and 26 FETCs in bureaus are responsible for examination and approval of foreign investment projects with an investment under USD 10 million; the Pudong Administrative Committee and the Free Trade Zone Administrative Committee are responsible for examination and approval of projects with an investment under USD 30 million.

What do "one station management " and " a coordinated service" signify? Is there any difference from what we used to do?

" One station management" means that , according to different investment & different registered addresses of each project, foreign businessmen who came to invest can just turn to FICS, Pudong New Area Foreign Economic & Trade Commission, and Foreign Economic and Trade Commissions in districts or countries and the Foreign Economic and trade Department of the Industrial Bureau for approval of their applications. All the relevant government departments and offices responsible for examination and approval of investment projects are put together to facilitate the formalities for overseas investors.

"A coordinated service" intends to offer overseas businessmen a whole process of services, such as recommending proper partner, assisting in locating a site for a factory, preparing project proposal and submitting it for them, handling the registration of the name of the enterprise, drafting a feasibility study report and contract, and assisting in the application for business license at the setting up period; assisting in designing project scale, in construction and in handling related constructions like land planning, environmental protection, fire protection and public utilities etc. at the second stage assisting in employing staff, providing relevant information, etc. Shanghai Foreign Investment Service Centre can provide "coordinated service".

What's the difference between the name and object of charge collection for the requited transfer of land-using right?

1) Land granting fee can be defined as the fee paid for the land-using right for several years at one time for the land for commercial, tourist, recreational, service and real estate purposes expect the developing of domestically-sold real estate by foreign investment. The granting fee of the first grade land in the downtown shall be decided by the means of bidding or auction. The fee of the land in the other areas can be negotiated and decided among the unit using the land originally, the developer and the land administration department according to the different conditions.

2) Land using fee can be defined as the fee paid to the state-owned land administration department at 1 RMB per square meter per year in the duration of land using except the land granting fee.

3) Land using fee can be defined as the fee paid annually by some foreign investment projects without going through the land leasing procedure and some cooperative joint venture except real estate projects according to the fee schedule.

Can a registered foreign-invested enterprise enlarge its business scope?

A foreign-invested enterprise can enlarge its business scope during its operation period , provided that the investors' capital contribution has been paid up. The application can be submitted to the original approval and examination authority.

Can a foreign-invested enterprise which is already registered reduce or increase its registered capital?

A foreign-invested enterprise can increase its registered capital during its operation period, but it must be unanimously approved and decided by board meeting first, after which it must be submitted to the original approval authority for approval and examination.

If the increased amount exceeds the authority of the original approval and examination authority, the application should be submitted to a higher authority by the original approval and examination authority.

A foreign-invested enterprise usually is not allowed to reduce its registered capital during its operation period. If there are justified reasons, the application should be submitted to the original approval and examination authority according to relevant laws and regulations of the State.

Is a foreign-invested enterprise free to choose an insurance company for all its insurance?

A foreign-invested enterprise is free to choose an insurance company inside China to handle all these insurance policies except those with special regulations.

How can a foreign-invested enterprise obtain an import license?

A foreign-invested enterprise shall submit its application to the competent government authority if it is going to import products which are licensed for import with permission from the state. Under the pre-condition of reasonable number for the enterprise's own use, the government will arrange for it an import license within the norm allotted by the State.