Macao Basic Law of the People's Republic of China
Chapter VI Cultural and Social Affairs
Chapter VIII Interpretation and Amendment of this Law
Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region
Macao, including the peninsula of the Macao Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region, and the Luhuan Islands, has been Chinese territory since ancient times and has been gradually occupied by Portugal since the middle of the 16th century.
On April 13, 1987, the two governments of China and Portugal signed a joint statement on the question of Macao, confirming the resumption by the Government of the People's Republic of China of the exercise of sovereignty over Macao on December 20, 1999, thus fulfilling the common aspiration of the Chinese people for a long time to recover Macao.
In accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, the National People's Congress has formulated the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China and prescribed the system for the Macao Special Administrative Region to ensure the implementation of the basic policies and principles of the state regarding Macao.
Article 2 The National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China authorizes the Macao Special Administrative Region to exercise a high degree of autonomy and enjoy executive, legislative and independent judicial and final adjudication powers in accordance with the provisions of this Law.
Article 5 The socialist system and policies shall not be practised in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and the original capitalist system and lifestyle shall remain unchanged for 50 years.
Article 8 The laws, decrees, administrative rules and regulations previously in force in Macao and other normative documents shall be reserved except for those in conflict with this Law or where amendments have been made by the legislature or other relevant organs of the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with legal procedures.
Article 9 In addition to the Chinese language, Portuguese may also be used as an official language by the executive, legislative and judicial organs of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 10 In addition to flying and using the National Flag and National Emblem of the People's Republic of China, the Macao Special Administrative Region may also hang and use the Regional Flag and regional Emblem of the Region.
The regional flag of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be a green flag with five stars, lotus flowers, bridges and sea water designs.
Article 13 The Central People's Government shall be in charge of foreign affairs relating to the Macao Special Administrative Region.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China has established an office in Macao to handle foreign affairs.
Article 14 The Central People's Government shall be responsible for the defence of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be responsible for the maintenance of public order in the Region.
Article 15 The Central People's Government shall appoint or remove the Chief Executive, principal government officials and chief procurators of the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law.
Article 16 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall have the power of administrative management and shall, on its own, handle the administrative affairs of the Region in accordance with the relevant provisions of this Law.
Laws enacted by the legislature of the Macao Special Administrative Region must be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the record.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress may, after consulting the Committee for the Basic Law of the Macao Special Administrative Region to which it belongs and the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region may make any increase or decrease in the laws listed in Annex III of this Law.
When the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress decides to declare a state of war or decides that the Macao Special Administrative Region shall enter a state of emergency because of disturbances within the Macao Special Administrative Region which endanger national unity or security beyond the control of the Government of the Region, the Central People's Government may order that relevant national laws be implemented in the Region.
Article 20 The Macao Special Administrative Region may enjoy other powers granted to it by the National People's Congress, its Standing Committee or the Central People's Government.
Article 21 Chinese citizens who are residents of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall participate in the administration of state affairs according to law.
In accordance with the number of deputies designated by the National People's Congress and the method for selecting them, Chinese citizens who are residents of the Region shall elect representatives of the Region to the National People's Congress in Macao to participate in the work of the highest organ of state power.
Article 22 No department of the Central People's Government or any province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government may interfere in the affairs administered by the Macao Special Administrative Region on its own in accordance with this Law.
If there is a need for departments of the Central Government, or for provinces, autonomous regions, or municipalities directly under the Central Government to establish offices in the Macao Special Administrative Region, they must obtain the consent of the Government of the Region and the approval of the Central People's Government.
The number of persons entering the Macao Special Administrative Region for settlement shall be determined by the competent department of the Central People's Government after consulting the Government of the Region.
Chapter III Fundamental Rights and Duties of Residents
(3) Portuguese born in Macao before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region and taking Macao as its permanent residence;
(4) Portuguese who have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than seven years before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region and have taken Macao as their permanent residence;
(5) Other persons who have ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than seven years before or after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region and have taken Macao as their permanent residence;
Article 27 Macao residents shall enjoy freedom of speech, of the press and of the press; freedom of association, of assembly, of procession and of demonstration; and the right and freedom to form and join trade unions and to strike.
Macao residents shall not be subjected to arbitrary or unlawful arrest, detention or imprisonment. With respect to arbitrary or illegal detention or imprisonment, residents shall have the right to apply to the courts for a writ of habeas corpus.
Unlawful search of the body of a resident or deprivation or restriction of the personal freedom of a resident is prohibited.
Torture or inhuman treatment of residents is prohibited.
Article 29 Macao residents shall not be punished by criminal punishment unless their acts constitute a crime and they shall be punished as expressly prescribed by law at the time.
Macao residents shall, when accused of a crime, have the right to be tried by the court at an early date and shall be presumed innocent until the court is convicted.
Article 30 The personal dignity of Macao residents shall be inviolable. Insults, libel or false charges against them shall be prohibited by any means.
Macao residents shall enjoy the right of personal reputation, private life and the right to privacy in family life.
Article 31 The houses and other houses of Macao residents shall be inviolable. Arbitrary or illegal search of or intrusion into the homes and other houses of Macao residents shall be prohibited.
Macao residents shall have freedom of travel and entry into and out of the Macao Special Administrative Region, and shall have the right to obtain various kinds of travel documents in accordance with the law. Holders of valid travel documents shall be free to leave the Region without special approval unless restrained by law.
Article 34 Macao residents shall have freedom of belief.
Macao residents shall have freedom of religious belief and freedom to preach and to conduct and participate in religious activities in public.
Article 36 Macao residents shall have the right to resort to law, bring a suit before a court of law, obtain assistance from lawyers in protecting their lawful rights and interests and obtain judicial remedies.
Article 37 Macao residents shall have freedom to engage in education, academic research, literary and artistic creation and other cultural activities.
The minors, the aged and the disabled shall be cared for and protected by the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 40 The provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, and international labour conventions applicable to Macao shall continue to be in force and shall be implemented through the laws of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 42 The interests of residents of Portuguese descent in Macao shall be protected by the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with law and their customs and cultural traditions shall be respected.
Article 44 Macao residents and other persons in Macao shall have the duty to abide by the laws in force in the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 46 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be a Chinese citizen who has reached the age of 40 and has ordinarily resided in Macao for a continuous period of not less than 20 years.
Article 48 The term of office of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be five years.
Article 49 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, during his or her term of office, have no right of abode in any foreign country and shall not engage in any activities for personal gain.
Article 50 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following functions and powers:
(2) responsible for the implementation of this Law and other laws applicable to the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with this Law;
(3) sign bills passed by the Legislative Council and promulgate laws;
(4) to decide on government policies and issue executive orders;
To enact administrative rules and regulations and promulgate them for implementation;
(6) nominate and report to the Central People's Government the following principal officials: Director of divisions, Commissioner-General of the ICAC, Auditor-General, principal head of police departments and principal head of Customs; recommend that the Central People's Government remove the above-mentioned officials from their posts;
(8) appointment or removal of members of the Executive Council;
(9) appoint or remove presidents of the courts and judges at all levels and appoint or remove public procurators in accordance with legal procedures;
To nominate and report to the Central People's Government in accordance with legal procedures for appointing a chief procurator, and to advise the Central People's Government to remove him from his post;
(12) Execution of instructions issued by the Central People's Government on matters relating to this Law;
To handle, on behalf of the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, foreign affairs and other affairs authorized by the Central Government;
(16) award of medals and honorary titles to the Macao Special Administrative Region in accordance with law;
(17) pardoning or mitigating criminal punishment according to law;
(18) handling petitions and appeals.
(2) The Legislative Council refuses to pass a budget introduced by the government or a bill which the Chief Executive considers relevant to the overall interests of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 53 The Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region may, when failing to pass the budget introduced by the government by the Legislative Council, approve provisional short-term appropriations according to the expenditure standards for the previous fiscal year.
Article 56 The Executive Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be an organ for assisting the Chief Executive in policy-making.
Article 57 Members of the Executive Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be appointed by the Chief Executive from among the principal officials of the government, members of the Legislative Council and members of the public, whose appointment or removal shall be decided by the Chief Executive. The term of office of members of the Executive Council shall not extend beyond the expiry of the term of office of the Chief Executive who appoints them, but the former members of the Executive Council shall remain temporarily before the new Chief Executive assumes office.
The number of members of the Executive Council shall be 7 to 11 and the Chief Executive may, when he or she deems it necessary, invite relevant persons to attend the Executive Council meetings.
If the Chief Executive does not accept the views of a majority of the Executive Council, he or she shall put the specific reasons on record.
Article 60 A Commission of Audit shall be established in the Macao Special Administrative Region, and the Auditor-General shall be responsible to the Chief Executive.
Article 61 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be the executive organs of the Region.
Article 64 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following functions and powers:
(3) to handle foreign affairs authorized by the Central People's Government as provided for in this Law;
(6) To appoint officials to attend meetings of the Legislative Council to hear views or to speak on behalf of the Government.
Article 65 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region must abide by the law and be responsible to the Legislative Council of the Region: To implement laws passed by the Council and already in force; to make regular policy statements to the Legislative Council; and to answer questions raised by members of the Council.
Most members of the Legislative Council are elected.
Article 69 The term of office of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be four years, except for the first term which shall be stipulated otherwise.
Article 70 If the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region is dissolved by the Chief Executive in accordance with the provisions of this Law, it shall be re-elected within 90 days in accordance with the provisions of Article 68 of this Law.
Article 71 The Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following functions and powers:
(2) to examine and pass the budget submitted by the government; to examine and consider the budget performance report submitted by the government;
(3) deciding on taxation on a government proposal and approving debts to be borne by the government;
(5) conducting debates on issues of public interest;
(6) accepting and handling complaints lodged by Macao residents;
(8) In the exercise of the above-mentioned functions and powers, persons concerned may be summoned or asked to testify and provide evidence, if necessary.
Article 73 The Vice-President shall act in the absence of the President of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
When the office of the President or Vice-President of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region is vacant, he shall be elected separately.
Article 74 The President of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise the following functions and powers:
(2) to decide on the agenda, giving priority to proposals submitted by the Government at the request of the Chief Executive;
(3) deciding on the date of the meeting;
Special meetings may be held between sessions;
(5) convening an emergency meeting or at the request of the Chief Executive;
Article 75 Members of the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall submit bills in accordance with the provisions of this Law and legal procedures. Bills not involving public revenues and expenditures, political systems or the operation of the government may be submitted individually or jointly by members of the Legislative Council. The written consent of the Chief Executive shall be required before bills relating to government policies are introduced.
Except as otherwise provided for in this Law, bills and bills of the Legislative Council shall be passed by more than half of all the members of the Council.
Inability to perform their duties due to serious illness or any other reason;
(2) to hold posts that may not be concurrently held in accordance with the law;
(4) to violate the oath of members of the Legislative Council;
(5) To be sentenced to more than 30 days' imprisonment for a criminal offence committed within or outside the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 82 The courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall exercise judicial power.
Article 83 The courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall try independently and only subject themselves to the law and shall be free from any interference.
The power of final adjudication of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be vested in the Court of Final Appeal of the Region.
The organization, functions and powers and the operation of the courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be prescribed by law.
Article 85 The primary courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region may, when necessary, establish special courts.
The system of the original criminal prosecution court shall be maintained.
Article 86 The Administrative Court of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be established. The Administrative Court shall be a court of jurisdiction over administrative and tax litigation.
The appointment and removal of members of the Court of Final Appeal must be reported to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the record.
Article 88 The presidents of the courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region at various levels shall be elected by the Chief Executive from among the judges.
The President of the Court of Final Appeal shall be a Chinese citizen who is a permanent resident of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 89 Judges of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall conduct trials according to law and shall not obey any orders or instructions, except in cases as provided for in paragraph 3 of Article 19 of this Law.
A judge performing his judicial duties shall not be prosecuted by law.
During their term of office, judges shall not hold other public or any private office, nor shall they hold any office in a political group.
The chief procurator of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be a Chinese citizen who is a permanent resident of the Region and shall be nominated by the Chief Executive and appointed by the Central People's Government.
Public procurators shall be nominated by the chief procurator and appointed by the Chief Executive.
The organization, functions and powers and the operation of the procuratorates are prescribed by law.
Article 92 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region may, with reference to the methods previously applied in Macao, make provisions concerning local and foreign lawyers practising in the Region.
Article 99 The Macao Special Administrative Region may appoint Portuguese nationals or other expatriates who are former Macao public officials or who hold permanent identity cards of the Macao Special Administrative Region to serve as civil servants at various levels, except as otherwise provided for in this Law.
The above-mentioned personnel may only be employed in their individual capacities and are responsible to the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Macao's previous system for the employment, discipline, promotion and normal promotion of public servants shall basically remain unchanged, but may be improved on the basis of the development of Macao society.
Article 103 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall, in accordance with law, protect the rights of individuals and legal persons to acquisition, use, dispose of and inherit property and their right to compensation for the deprivation of property by individuals and legal persons at the time of their lawful requisition.
Ownership of enterprises and foreign investment shall be protected by law.
Article 106 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall practise an independent taxation system.
The Macao Special Administrative Region shall, with reference to the low tax policy previously practised in Macao, enact laws on its own to stipulate types of taxes, tax rates, tax exemptions and other matters of taxation.
The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate monetary and financial policies, safeguard the free operation of financial markets and all kinds of financial institutions, and administer and supervise them in accordance with law.
Article 108 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall be the legal currency of the Region and shall continue to circulate.
The authority to issue Macao currency shall be vested in the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region. The issue of Macao currency shall be subject to a reserve fund of 100%. The system for issuing Macao currency and the reserve fund system shall be prescribed by law.
The foreign exchange reserves of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be managed and controlled by the Government of the Region in accordance with law.
Article 110 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall maintain the status of a free port and shall not levy duties unless otherwise prescribed by law.
Article 111 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall pursue the policy of free trade and safeguard the free movement of goods, intangible property and capital.
Article 112 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall be a separate customs territory.
The Macao Special Administrative Region may, using the name "Macao, China," participate in relevant international organizations and trade agreements, including preferential trade arrangements, such as the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade and arrangements concerning international trade in textiles.
Export quotas, tariff preferences and other similar arrangements obtained and previously obtained by the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be enjoyed exclusively by the Region.
Article 113 The Macao Special Administrative Region may issue certificates of origin to its products in accordance with the rules of origin at the time.
Article 114 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall, in accordance with law, protect the free operation of industrial and commercial enterprises and formulate policies on the development of industry and commerce on its own.
The Macao Special Administrative Region shall improve its economic environment and provide legal guarantees to promote the development of industry and commerce, encourage investment, technological progress and develop new industries and new markets.
The Macao Special Administrative Region shall establish consultative coordination organizations composed of representatives of the government, employers' organizations and employees' organizations.
Article 116 The Macao Special Administrative Region shall maintain and improve the shipping operation and management system previously practiced in Macao, and formulate shipping policies on its own.
Private shipping businesses and shipping-related enterprises and terminals in the Macao Special Administrative Region may continue to operate freely.
Article 119 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, in accordance with law, implement environmental protection.
New grant or renewal of land granted after the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be dealt with in accordance with the relevant land laws and policies of the Region.
Article 121 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on education, including policies on the education system and its administration, the language of teaching, allocation of funds, the examination system, recognition of academic qualifications and academic degrees, and other aspects, in order to promote the development of education.
Social organizations and individuals may, in accordance with law, run educational undertakings of various kinds.
All schools in the Macao Special Administrative Region shall have their own right of running the school and shall enjoy, according to law, freedom of teaching and academic freedom.
Students shall enjoy freedom of choice of educational institutions and freedom to pursue their education outside the Macao Special Administrative Region.
Article 125 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on culture, including literature, art, broadcasting, film and television.
The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, in accordance with law, protect scenic spots, historical sites and other cultural relics, and protect the lawful rights and interests of the owners of cultural relics.
Article 126 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on press and publishing.
Article 127 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, on its own, formulate policies on sports and may continue to exist and develop non-governmental sports organizations in accordance with law.
Article 128 The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region, in accordance with the principle of freedom of religious belief, shall not interfere in the internal affairs of religious organizations, maintain and develop relations between religious organizations or believers and religious organizations and believers outside Macao, or restrict religious activities that do not contravene the laws of the Region.
Religious organizations shall, in accordance with law, enjoy the rights to acquire, use, dispose of and inherit property and to receive donations, and their original rights and interests in property shall be protected in accordance with the law.
The Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall, in accordance with the relevant provisions, recognize the professions and professional organizations recognized before the establishment of the Region and may, in the light of the needs of social development and in consultation with the parties concerned, recognize the new professions and professional organizations.
Article 131 The social service organizations of the Macao Special Administrative Region may, on their own, decide their forms of service, provided that they do not contravene the law.
The Central People's Government shall, in the light of the circumstances and the needs of the Macao Special Administrative Region, take measures to ensure that the Macao Special Administrative Region shall continue to retain its status in an appropriate capacity in those international organizations of which the People's Republic of China is a member and in which Macao participates in one capacity or another.
The Central People's Government shall, in the light of the circumstances and needs of the People's Republic of China, enable the Macao Special Administrative Region to continue to participate in an appropriate capacity in those international organizations in which Macao participates in one capacity or another.
Article 138 The application of international agreements concluded by the People's Republic of China to the Macao Special Administrative Region may, in the light of the circumstances and the needs of the Region, be decided by the Central People's Government after consulting the Government of the Region.
Article 140 The Central People's Government shall assist or authorize the Government of the Macao Special Administrative Region to negotiate and conclude visa abolition agreements with the countries and regions concerned.
Article 141 The Macao Special Administrative Region may, as necessary, establish official or semi-official economic and trade missions in foreign countries and report them to the Central People's Government for the record.
Consular and other official missions established in Macao by states that have established formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China may be retained.
Consular and other official missions established in Macao by states that have not yet established formal diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China may, in the light of the circumstances, be retained or replaced by semi-official missions.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress shall authorize the courts of the Macao Special Administrative Region to interpret on their own, in adjudicating cases, the provisions of this Law which are within the limits of the autonomy of the Region.
Article 144 The power of amendment to this Law shall be vested in the National People's Congress.
No amendment to this Law shall contravene the established basic policies of the People's Republic of China regarding Macao.
Documents, certificates, contracts and the rights and obligations contained in the laws previously in force in Macao shall continue to be valid and shall be recognized and protected by the Macao Special Administrative Region, provided that they do not contravene this Law.
Method for the Selection of the Chief Executive of the Macao Special Administrative Region
The Chief Executive shall be elected by a broadly representative Election Committee in accordance with this Law and appointed by the Central People's Government.
The Election Committee is composed of 300 members from the following walks of life:
80 people in cultural, educational and professional fields
The term of office of the Election Committee is five years.
The division of different sectors and the number of members to be elected by any organization in each sector shall be prescribed by the Electoral Law formulated by the Macao Special Administrative Region on the basis of the principles of democracy and openness.
Members of the Election Committee shall vote in their individual capacities.
The Election Committee shall elect candidates for the Chief Executive by secret ballot on the basis of the list of nominations, and the specific election methods shall be prescribed by the electoral law.
The first Chief Executive shall be selected in accordance with the "Decision of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on the Method for the Selection of the First Government, the First Legislative Council and the First Judiciary of the Macao Special Administrative Region.
The first Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region shall be selected in accordance with the Decision of the National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on the Method for the Selection of the First Government, the First Legislative Council and the First Judiciary of the Region.
Indirect Election of 10 Members
If there is a need to amend the method for forming the Legislative Council of the Macao Special Administrative Region in and after 2009, such amendments must be made with the endorsement of a two-thirds majority of all the members of the Council and the consent of the Chief Executive, and they shall also be reported to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the record.
Resolution on the National Day of the People's Republic of China
Law of the People's Republic of China on the National Emblem
Law of the People's Republic of China on Promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises
(Adopted at the 28th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress on June 29, 2002)
Standards for the division of small and medium-sized enterprises shall be formulated by the department under the State Council in charge of enterprise work on the basis of such indicators as the number of staff and workers, sales volume and total assets of the enterprise and on the basis of the characteristics of the trade and shall be reported to the State Council for approval.
Article 3 The State shall, with respect to small and medium-sized enterprises, implement the policy of actively supporting, enhancing their guidance, improving services, standardizing and protecting their rights and interests according to law, so as to create an enabling environment for their development.
The department in charge of enterprise work under the State Council shall organize the implementation of the State policies and plans for small and medium-sized enterprises, and conduct comprehensive coordination, guidance and services for the work of small and medium-sized enterprises throughout the country.
The relevant departments under the State Council shall, in accordance with the national policies and overall planning for small and medium-sized enterprises, provide guidance and services to their work within the scope of their respective functions and duties.
Article 6 The State shall protect the lawful investments of small and medium-sized enterprises and their investors as well as the lawful returns derived from such investments.
No unit shall, in violation of laws and regulations, charge fees or impose fines on small and medium-sized enterprises, and collect money and property from them by apportionment.
Article 7 Administrative departments shall protect the lawful rights and interests of small and medium-sized enterprises, protect their rights to participate in fair competition and fair transaction according to law, and shall not discriminate against them or attach unequal trading conditions.
Article 8 Small and medium-sized enterprises shall abide by the laws and regulations of the State concerning labour safety, occupational health, social security, resources environmental protection, quality, fiscal, taxation, finance, and other aspects, operate and manage according to law, and shall not infringe upon the lawful rights and interests of workers or harm the public interests.
Special funds for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises arranged by the central financial budget;
The State shall, through tax policy, encourage donations to the development funds of small and medium-sized enterprises.
(1) business counselling and services;
Supporting the establishment of a credit guarantee system for small and medium-sized enterprises;
(5) Supporting the service institutions of small and medium-sized enterprises to carry out such work as personnel training and information consultation;
Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in developing international markets;
(7) Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in carrying out clean production;
Measures for the establishment and use of development funds for small and medium-sized enterprises shall be formulated separately by the State Council.
The People's Bank of China should strengthen its support to small and medium-sized financial institutions and encourage commercial banks to adjust the credit structure and increase their credit support to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Article 15 All financial institutions shall provide financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises, strive to improve financial services, change the style of service, raise the sense of service and improve the quality of service.
All commercial banks and credit cooperatives shall improve credit management, expand service areas, develop financial products suitable for the development of small and medium-sized enterprises, adjust credit structure, and provide them with services in such fields as credit, settlement, financial advice and investment management.
The policy-oriented financial institutions of the State shall, within the scope of their business operations, take various forms to provide financial services to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Article 17 The State shall, through tax policies, encourage all kinds of venture capital institutions lawfully established to increase their investment in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Article 18 The State promotes the construction of a credit system for small and medium-sized enterprises, establishes a credit information collection and evaluation system, and realizes the socialization of inquiry, exchange and sharing of credit information for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Article 20 The State encourages all kinds of guarantee institutions to provide credit guarantee for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Article 21 The State encourages small and medium-sized enterprises to carry out various forms of mutual assistance financing guarantee in accordance with law.
Article 22 The departments concerned of the government shall actively create conditions to provide necessary and corresponding information and advisory services, rationally arrange necessary sites and facilities and support the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises in the urban and rural construction planning according to the needs of their development.
Departments concerned of the government shall adopt measures to broaden channels for small and medium-sized enterprises to recruit graduates of colleges and secondary schools and schools for employment.
Article 25 Local people's governments shall, in light of the actual conditions, provide policy advice and information services for startups in such fields as industry and commerce, finance and taxation, financing, labour use and social security.
Article 27 The State encourages small and medium-sized enterprises to establish Sino-foreign joint ventures and Sino-foreign cooperative ventures in accordance with the State policy on the use of foreign capital, to introduce foreign capital, advanced technology and management experience.
Article 28 The State encourages individuals or legal persons, in accordance with law, to participate in the establishment of small and medium-sized enterprises by investing in industrial property rights, non-patented technologies, etc.
