KYB CHINA
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Licences & operations

Regulations on Administration of Foreign Contracted Projects

对外承包工程管理条例

This regulation governs Chinese enterprises or other units contracting overseas construction projects, covering contracting activities, quality and safety management, personnel dispatch, and supervision.

Issuing authority
State Council of the People's Republic of China中华人民共和国国务院
Published
2017-03-01
Effective
2017-03-01
Status
In force
Open official source ↗Source checked: 2026-07-30Version history: 2008-07-21 · 2017-03-01
Original ChineseTranslation
Original Chinese

(2008年7月21日中华人民共和国国务院令第527号公布 根据2017年3月1日《国务院关于修改和废止部分行政法规的决定》修订)

Translation

(Promulgated by Decree No. 527 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on July 21, 2008, and revised in accordance with the Decision of the State Council on Amending and Repealing Certain Administrative Regulations on March 1, 2017)

Original Chinese第一章

总则

TranslationChapter I

General Provisions

Original Chinese第一条

为了规范对外承包工程,促进对外承包工程健康发展,制定本条例。

TranslationArticle 1

These Regulations are formulated to regulate foreign contracted projects and promote the healthy development of foreign contracted projects.

Original Chinese第二条

本条例所称对外承包工程,是指中国的企业或者其他单位(以下统称单位)承包境外建设工程项目(以下简称工程项目)的活动。

TranslationArticle 2

For the purposes of these Regulations, "foreign contracted projects" means the activities of Chinese enterprises or other entities (hereinafter collectively referred to as "entities") contracting overseas construction projects (hereinafter referred to as "projects").

Original Chinese第三条

国家鼓励和支持开展对外承包工程,提高对外承包工程的质量和水平。

TranslationArticle 3

The State encourages and supports the undertaking of foreign contracted projects to improve the quality and level of foreign contracted projects.

Original Chinese

国务院有关部门制定和完善促进对外承包工程的政策措施,建立、健全对外承包工程服务体系和风险保障机制。

Translation

The relevant departments of the State Council shall formulate and improve policies and measures for foreign contracted projects, and establish and improve the service system and risk guarantee mechanism for foreign contracted projects.

Original Chinese第四条

开展对外承包工程,应当维护国家利益和社会公共利益,保障外派人员的合法权益。

TranslationArticle 4

When undertaking foreign contracted projects, the national interest and social public interest shall be safeguarded, and the legitimate rights and interests of dispatched personnel shall be protected.

Original Chinese

开展对外承包工程,应当遵守工程项目所在国家或者地区的法律,信守合同,尊重当地的风俗习惯,注重生态环境保护,促进当地经济社会发展。

Translation

When undertaking foreign contracted projects, the laws of the country or region where the project is located shall be observed, contracts shall be honored, local customs and habits shall be respected, ecological and environmental protection shall be emphasized, and local economic and social development shall be promoted.

Original Chinese第五条

国务院商务主管部门负责全国对外承包工程的监督管理,国务院有关部门在各自的职责范围内负责与对外承包工程有关的管理工作。

TranslationArticle 5

The competent commerce department of the State Council shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of foreign contracted projects nationwide, and the relevant departments of the State Council shall be responsible for the management work related to foreign contracted projects within their respective functions.

Original Chinese

国务院建设主管部门组织协调建设企业参与对外承包工程。

Translation

The competent construction department of the State Council shall organize and coordinate construction enterprises to participate in foreign contracted projects.

Original Chinese

省、自治区、直辖市人民政府商务主管部门负责本行政区域内对外承包工程的监督管理。

Translation

The competent commerce departments of the people's governments of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for the supervision and administration of foreign contracted projects within their respective administrative regions.

Original Chinese第六条

有关对外承包工程的协会、商会按照章程为其成员提供与对外承包工程有关的信息、培训等方面的服务,依法制定行业规范,发挥协调和自律作用,维护公平竞争和成员利益。

TranslationArticle 6

Associations and chambers of commerce related to foreign contracted projects shall, in accordance with their articles of association, provide their members with services such as information and training related to foreign contracted projects, formulate industry norms according to law, play a coordinating and self-disciplinary role, and maintain fair competition and the interests of members.

Original Chinese第二章

对外承包工程活动

TranslationChapter II

Activities of Foreign Contracted Projects

Original Chinese第七条

国务院商务主管部门应当会同国务院有关部门建立对外承包工程安全风险评估机制,定期发布有关国家和地区安全状况的评估结果,及时提供预警信息,指导对外承包工程的单位做好安全风险防范。

TranslationArticle 7

The competent commerce department of the State Council shall, together with the relevant departments of the State Council, establish a security risk assessment mechanism for foreign contracted projects, regularly publish assessment results on the security situation of relevant countries and regions, provide timely early warning information, and guide entities undertaking foreign contracted projects to properly prevent security risks.

Original Chinese第八条

对外承包工程的单位不得以不正当的低价承揽工程项目、串通投标,不得进行商业贿赂。

TranslationArticle 8

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall not undertake projects at unfairly low prices, collude in bidding, or engage in commercial bribery.

Original Chinese第九条

对外承包工程的单位应当与境外工程项目发包人订立书面合同,明确双方的权利和义务,并按照合同约定履行义务。

TranslationArticle 9

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall enter into a written contract with the overseas project owner, clearly define the rights and obligations of both parties, and perform their obligations in accordance with the contract.

Original Chinese第十条

对外承包工程的单位应当加强对工程质量和安全生产的管理,建立、健全并严格执行工程质量和安全生产管理的规章制度。

TranslationArticle 10

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall strengthen the management of project quality and safety production, establish, improve, and strictly implement the rules and regulations for project quality and safety production management.

Original Chinese

对外承包工程的单位将工程项目分包的,应当与分包单位订立专门的工程质量和安全生产管理协议,或者在分包合同中约定各自的工程质量和安全生产管理责任,并对分包单位的工程质量和安全生产工作统一协调、管理。

Translation

If an entity undertaking a foreign contracted project subcontracts the project, it shall enter into a special agreement on project quality and safety production management with the subcontractor, or stipulate their respective responsibilities for project quality and safety production management in the subcontract, and shall coordinate and manage the project quality and safety production work of the subcontractor in a unified manner.

Original Chinese

对外承包工程的单位不得将工程项目分包给不具备国家规定的相应资质的单位;工程项目的建筑施工部分不得分包给未依法取得安全生产许可证的境内建筑施工企业。

Translation

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall not subcontract projects to entities that do not have the corresponding qualifications prescribed by the State; the construction part of the project shall not be subcontracted to domestic construction enterprises that have not obtained a safety production license according to law.

Original Chinese

分包单位不得将工程项目转包或者再分包。对外承包工程的单位应当在分包合同中明确约定分包单位不得将工程项目转包或者再分包,并负责监督。

Translation

Subcontractors shall not transfer or further subcontract the project. Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall clearly stipulate in the subcontract that the subcontractor shall not transfer or further subcontract the project, and shall be responsible for supervision.

Original Chinese第十一条

从事对外承包工程外派人员中介服务的机构应当取得国务院商务主管部门的许可,并按照国务院商务主管部门的规定从事对外承包工程外派人员中介服务。

TranslationArticle 11

Agency institutions providing intermediary services for dispatching personnel for foreign contracted projects shall obtain permission from the competent commerce department of the State Council and engage in intermediary services for dispatching personnel for foreign contracted projects in accordance with the provisions of the competent commerce department of the State Council.

Original Chinese

对外承包工程的单位通过中介机构招用外派人员的,应当选择依法取得许可并合法经营的中介机构,不得通过未依法取得许可或者有重大违法行为的中介机构招用外派人员。

Translation

If an entity undertaking a foreign contracted project recruits dispatched personnel through an intermediary institution, it shall select an intermediary institution that has obtained permission according to law and operates legally, and shall not recruit dispatched personnel through an intermediary institution that has not obtained permission according to law or has major illegal acts.

Original Chinese第十二条

对外承包工程的单位应当依法与其招用的外派人员订立劳动合同,按照合同约定向外派人员提供工作条件和支付报酬,履行用人单位义务。

TranslationArticle 12

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall enter into labor contracts with the dispatched personnel they recruit according to law, provide working conditions and pay remuneration to the dispatched personnel in accordance with the contract, and fulfill the obligations of the employer.

Original Chinese第十三条

对外承包工程的单位应当有专门的安全管理机构和人员,负责保护外派人员的人身和财产安全,并根据所承包工程项目的具体情况,制定保护外派人员人身和财产安全的方案,落实所需经费。

TranslationArticle 13

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall have specialized safety management institutions and personnel responsible for protecting the personal and property safety of dispatched personnel, and shall, based on the specific circumstances of the contracted project, formulate a plan for protecting the personal and property safety of dispatched personnel and allocate the necessary funds.

Original Chinese

对外承包工程的单位应当根据工程项目所在国家或者地区的安全状况,有针对性地对外派人员进行安全防范教育和应急知识培训,增强外派人员的安全防范意识和自我保护能力。

Translation

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall, based on the security situation of the country or region where the project is located, provide targeted safety prevention education and emergency knowledge training to dispatched personnel to enhance their safety prevention awareness and self-protection capabilities.

Original Chinese第十四条

对外承包工程的单位应当为外派人员购买境外人身意外伤害保险。

TranslationArticle 14

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall purchase overseas personal accident insurance for their dispatched personnel.

Original Chinese第十五条

对外承包工程的单位应当按照国务院商务主管部门和国务院财政部门的规定,及时存缴备用金。

TranslationArticle 15

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall, in accordance with the provisions of the competent department of commerce under the State Council and the finance department under the State Council, timely deposit a reserve fund.

Original Chinese

前款规定的备用金,用于支付对外承包工程的单位拒绝承担或者无力承担的下列费用:

Translation

The reserve fund as mentioned in the preceding paragraph shall be used to pay the following expenses that the entity undertaking foreign contracted projects refuses or is unable to bear:

Original Chinese

(一)外派人员的报酬;

Translation

(1) Remuneration of dispatched personnel;

Original Chinese

(二)因发生突发事件,外派人员回国或者接受其他紧急救助所需费用;

Translation

(2) Expenses required for the return of dispatched personnel to China or other emergency assistance due to the occurrence of emergencies;

Original Chinese

(三)依法应当对外派人员的损失进行赔偿所需费用。

Translation

(3) Expenses required for compensation for losses of dispatched personnel in accordance with the law.

Original Chinese第十六条

对外承包工程的单位与境外工程项目发包人订立合同后,应当及时向中国驻该工程项目所在国使馆(领馆)报告。

TranslationArticle 16

After entering into a contract with the project owner of an overseas project, the entity undertaking the foreign contracted project shall promptly report to the Chinese embassy (consulate) in the country where the project is located.

Original Chinese

对外承包工程的单位应当接受中国驻该工程项目所在国使馆(领馆)在突发事件防范、工程质量、安全生产及外派人员保护等方面的指导。

Translation

The entity undertaking the foreign contracted project shall accept the guidance of the Chinese embassy (consulate) in the country where the project is located in terms of emergency prevention, project quality, production safety, and protection of dispatched personnel.

Original Chinese第十七条

对外承包工程的单位应当制定突发事件应急预案;在境外发生突发事件时,应当及时、妥善处理,并立即向中国驻该工程项目所在国使馆(领馆)和国内有关主管部门报告。

TranslationArticle 17

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall formulate emergency response plans; in the event of an emergency occurring overseas, they shall handle it promptly and properly, and immediately report to the Chinese embassy (consulate) in the country where the project is located and the relevant competent authorities in China.

Original Chinese

国务院商务主管部门应当会同国务院有关部门,按照预防和处置并重的原则,建立、健全对外承包工程突发事件预警、防范和应急处置机制,制定对外承包工程突发事件应急预案。

Translation

The competent department of commerce under the State Council shall, together with the relevant departments under the State Council, establish and improve the early warning, prevention, and emergency response mechanisms for emergencies in foreign contracted projects, and formulate emergency response plans for foreign contracted projects, following the principle of equal emphasis on prevention and response.

Original Chinese第十八条

对外承包工程的单位应当定期向商务主管部门报告其开展对外承包工程的情况,并按照国务院商务主管部门和国务院统计部门的规定,向有关部门报送业务统计资料。

TranslationArticle 18

Entities undertaking foreign contracted projects shall regularly report to the competent department of commerce on their performance of foreign contracted projects, and submit business statistical data to the relevant departments in accordance with the provisions of the competent department of commerce under the State Council and the statistics department under the State Council.

Original Chinese第十九条

国务院商务主管部门应当会同国务院有关部门建立对外承包工程信息收集、通报制度,向对外承包工程的单位无偿提供信息服务。

TranslationArticle 19

The competent department of commerce under the State Council shall, together with the relevant departments under the State Council, establish a system for collecting and reporting information on foreign contracted projects, and provide information services to entities undertaking foreign contracted projects free of charge.

Original Chinese

有关部门应当在货物通关、人员出入境等方面,依法为对外承包工程的单位提供快捷、便利的服务。

Translation

Relevant departments shall, in accordance with the law, provide fast and convenient services to entities undertaking foreign contracted projects in aspects such as customs clearance of goods and entry and exit of personnel.

Original Chinese第三章

法律责任

TranslationChapter III

Legal Liability

Original Chinese第二十条

对外承包工程的单位有下列情形之一的,由商务主管部门责令改正,处10万元以上20万元以下的罚款,对其主要负责人处1万元以上2万元以下的罚款;拒不改正的,商务主管部门可以禁止其在1年以上3年以下的期限内对外承包新的工程项目;造成重大工程质量问题、发生较大事故以上生产安全事故或者造成其他严重后果的,建设主管部门或者其他有关主管部门可以降低其资质等级或者吊销其资质证书:

TranslationArticle 20

If an entity undertaking foreign contracted projects falls under any of the following circumstances, the competent department of commerce shall order it to make corrections, impose a fine of not less than 100,000 yuan but not more than 200,000 yuan, and impose a fine of not less than 10,000 yuan but not more than 20,000 yuan on its principal responsible person; if it refuses to make corrections, the competent department of commerce may prohibit it from undertaking new foreign contracted projects within a period of not less than one year but not more than three years; if it causes major project quality problems, a relatively serious or above production safety accident, or other serious consequences, the competent department of construction or other relevant competent departments may lower its qualification grade or revoke its qualification certificate:

Original Chinese

(一)未建立并严格执行工程质量和安全生产管理的规章制度的;

Translation

(1) Failing to establish and strictly implement rules and regulations on project quality and production safety management;

Original Chinese

(二)没有专门的安全管理机构和人员负责保护外派人员的人身和财产安全,或者未根据所承包工程项目的具体情况制定保护外派人员人身和财产安全的方案并落实所需经费的;

Translation

(2) Having no dedicated safety management organization and personnel responsible for protecting the personal and property safety of dispatched personnel, or failing to formulate a plan for protecting the personal and property safety of dispatched personnel according to the specific circumstances of the contracted project and implement the required funds;

Original Chinese

(三)未对外派人员进行安全防范教育和应急知识培训的;

Translation

(3) Failing to provide safety prevention education and emergency knowledge training to dispatched personnel;

Original Chinese

(四)未制定突发事件应急预案,或者在境外发生突发事件,未及时、妥善处理的。

Translation

(4) Failing to formulate an emergency response plan, or failing to handle an emergency occurring overseas promptly and properly.

Original Chinese第二十一条

对外承包工程的单位有下列情形之一的,由商务主管部门责令改正,处15万元以上30万元以下的罚款,对其主要负责人处2万元以上5万元以下的罚款;拒不改正的,商务主管部门可以禁止其在2年以上5年以下的期限内对外承包新的工程项目;造成重大工程质量问题、发生较大事故以上生产安全事故或者造成其他严重后果的,建设主管部门或者其他有关主管部门可以降低其资质等级或者吊销其资质证书:

TranslationArticle 21

If an entity undertaking foreign contracted projects falls under any of the following circumstances, the competent department of commerce shall order it to make corrections, impose a fine of not less than 150,000 yuan but not more than 300,000 yuan, and impose a fine of not less than 20,000 yuan but not more than 50,000 yuan on its principal responsible person; if it refuses to make corrections, the competent department of commerce may prohibit it from undertaking new foreign contracted projects within a period of not less than two years but not more than five years; if it causes major project quality problems, a relatively serious or above production safety accident, or other serious consequences, the competent department of construction or other relevant competent departments may lower its qualification grade or revoke its qualification certificate:

Original Chinese

(一)以不正当的低价承揽工程项目、串通投标或者进行商业贿赂的;

Translation

(1) Undertaking projects at improperly low prices, colluding in bidding, or engaging in commercial bribery;

Original Chinese

(二)未与分包单位订立专门的工程质量和安全生产管理协议,或者未在分包合同中约定各自的工程质量和安全生产管理责任,或者未对分包单位的工程质量和安全生产工作统一协调、管理的;

Translation

(2) Failing to enter into a special agreement on project quality and production safety management with the subcontractor, or failing to specify the respective responsibilities for project quality and production safety management in the subcontract, or failing to coordinate and manage the project quality and production safety work of the subcontractor in a unified manner;

Original Chinese

(三)将工程项目分包给不具备国家规定的相应资质的单位,或者将工程项目的建筑施工部分分包给未依法取得安全生产许可证的境内建筑施工企业的;

Translation

(3) Subcontracting the project to an entity that does not have the corresponding qualifications as required by the state, or subcontracting the construction part of the project to a domestic construction enterprise that has not obtained a production safety license in accordance with the law;

Original Chinese

(四)未在分包合同中明确约定分包单位不得将工程项目转包或者再分包的。

Translation

(4) Failing to clearly stipulate in the subcontract that the subcontractor shall not transfer or further subcontract the project.

Original Chinese

分包单位将其承包的工程项目转包或者再分包的,由建设主管部门责令改正,依照前款规定的数额对分包单位及其主要负责人处以罚款;造成重大工程质量问题,或者发生较大事故以上生产安全事故的,建设主管部门或者其他有关主管部门可以降低其资质等级或者吊销其资质证书。

Translation

If a subcontractor transfers or further subcontracts the project it has contracted, the competent department of construction shall order it to make corrections and impose a fine on the subcontractor and its principal responsible person according to the amount specified in the preceding paragraph; if it causes major project quality problems or a relatively serious or above production safety accident, the competent department of construction or other relevant competent departments may lower its qualification grade or revoke its qualification certificate.

Original Chinese第二十二条

对外承包工程的单位有下列情形之一的,由商务主管部门责令改正,处2万元以上5万元以下的罚款;拒不改正的,对其主要负责人处5000元以上1万元以下的罚款:

TranslationArticle 22

If a unit undertaking foreign contracted projects falls under any of the following circumstances, the competent commerce department shall order correction and impose a fine of not less than 20,000 yuan but not more than 50,000 yuan; if it refuses to correct, a fine of not less than 5,000 yuan but not more than 10,000 yuan shall be imposed on its principal responsible person:

Original Chinese

(一)与境外工程项目发包人订立合同后,未及时向中国驻该工程项目所在国使馆(领馆)报告的;

Translation

(1) Failing to promptly report to the Chinese embassy (consulate) in the country where the project is located after signing a contract with the overseas project owner;

Original Chinese

(二)在境外发生突发事件,未立即向中国驻该工程项目所在国使馆(领馆)和国内有关主管部门报告的;

Translation

(2) Failing to immediately report to the Chinese embassy (consulate) in the country where the project is located and the relevant domestic competent authorities in the event of an emergency abroad;

Original Chinese

(三)未定期向商务主管部门报告其开展对外承包工程的情况,或者未按照规定向有关部门报送业务统计资料的。

Translation

(3) Failing to regularly report to the competent commerce department on the status of its foreign contracted projects, or failing to submit business statistics to the relevant departments as required.

Original Chinese第二十三条

对外承包工程的单位通过未依法取得许可或者有重大违法行为的中介机构招用外派人员,或者不依照本条例规定为外派人员购买境外人身意外伤害保险,或者未按照规定存缴备用金的,由商务主管部门责令限期改正,处5万元以上10万元以下的罚款,对其主要负责人处5000元以上1万元以下的罚款;逾期不改正的,商务主管部门可以禁止其在1年以上3年以下的期限内对外承包新的工程项目。

TranslationArticle 23

If a unit undertaking foreign contracted projects recruits dispatched personnel through an intermediary institution that has not obtained a license or has major illegal acts, or fails to purchase overseas personal accident insurance for dispatched personnel in accordance with these regulations, or fails to deposit the reserve fund as required, the competent commerce department shall order correction within a time limit and impose a fine of not less than 50,000 yuan but not more than 100,000 yuan, and a fine of not less than 5,000 yuan but not more than 10,000 yuan on its principal responsible person; if correction is not made within the time limit, the competent commerce department may prohibit it from undertaking new foreign contracted projects for a period of not less than one year but not more than three years.

Original Chinese

未取得国务院商务主管部门的许可,擅自从事对外承包工程外派人员中介服务的,由国务院商务主管部门责令改正,处10万元以上20万元以下的罚款;有违法所得的,没收违法所得;对其主要负责人处5万元以上10万元以下的罚款。

Translation

If a person engages in intermediary services for dispatching personnel for foreign contracted projects without obtaining a license from the competent commerce department of the State Council, the competent commerce department of the State Council shall order correction and impose a fine of not less than 100,000 yuan but not more than 200,000 yuan; if there is illegal income, the illegal income shall be confiscated; and a fine of not less than 50,000 yuan but not more than 100,000 yuan shall be imposed on its principal responsible person.

Original Chinese第二十四条

商务主管部门、建设主管部门和其他有关部门的工作人员在对外承包工程监督管理工作中滥用职权、玩忽职守、徇私舞弊,构成犯罪的,依法追究刑事责任;尚不构成犯罪的,依法给予处分。

TranslationArticle 24

If staff members of the competent commerce department, construction department, or other relevant departments abuse their power, neglect their duties, or engage in malpractice for personal gain in the supervision and administration of foreign contracted projects, and if the act constitutes a crime, criminal liability shall be pursued in accordance with the law; if it does not constitute a crime, administrative sanctions shall be imposed in accordance with the law.

Original Chinese第四章

附则

TranslationChapter IV

Supplementary Provisions

Original Chinese第二十五条

对外承包工程涉及的货物进出口、技术进出口、人员出入境、海关以及税收、外汇等事项,依照有关法律、行政法规和国家有关规定办理。

TranslationArticle 25

Matters concerning the import and export of goods, technology import and export, personnel entry and exit, customs, taxation, and foreign exchange involved in foreign contracted projects shall be handled in accordance with relevant laws, administrative regulations, and state provisions.

Original Chinese第二十六条

对外承包工程的单位以投标、议标方式参与报价金额在国务院商务主管部门和国务院财政部门等有关部门规定标准以上的工程项目的,其银行保函的出具等事项,依照国务院商务主管部门和国务院财政部门等有关部门的规定办理。

TranslationArticle 26

If a unit undertaking foreign contracted projects participates in bidding or negotiation for projects with a quotation amount above the standards prescribed by the competent commerce department of the State Council and the finance department of the State Council and other relevant departments, matters such as the issuance of bank guarantees shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of the competent commerce department of the State Council and the finance department of the State Council and other relevant departments.

Original Chinese第二十七条

对外承包工程的单位承包特定工程项目,或者在国务院商务主管部门会同外交部等有关部门确定的特定国家或者地区承包工程项目的,应当经国务院商务主管部门会同国务院有关部门批准。

TranslationArticle 27

If a unit undertaking foreign contracted projects contracts specific projects, or contracts projects in specific countries or regions determined by the competent commerce department of the State Council jointly with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other relevant departments, it shall obtain approval from the competent commerce department of the State Council jointly with the relevant departments of the State Council.

Original Chinese第二十八条

中国内地的单位在香港特别行政区、澳门特别行政区、台湾地区承包工程项目,参照本条例的规定执行。

TranslationArticle 28

If a unit from Mainland China contracts projects in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macao Special Administrative Region, or Taiwan region, these regulations shall be applied by reference.

Original Chinese第二十九条

中国政府对外援建的工程项目的实施及其管理,依照国家有关规定执行。

TranslationArticle 29

The implementation and management of projects constructed with foreign aid from the Chinese government shall be carried out in accordance with relevant state provisions.

Original Chinese第三十条

本条例自2008年9月1日起施行。

TranslationArticle 30

These Regulations shall come into force as of September 1, 2008.