中美产品责任法中产品缺陷的比较研究/张琪

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中美产品责任法中产品缺陷的比较研究

 张琪(北京大学法律系副教授,北京,100871)


 在法理学上,产品责任法中的“产品缺陷”属于法的要素中的事实概念。这种事实概念如同其他许多事实概念一样,是一种法律化的事实。即这种事实的性质、范围是由法律来界定的。它体现了立法者的立法目的和价值选择,也是一个国家法律制度发展水平的标志。产品缺陷是构成产品责任的前提;有关产品缺陷的规定,是产品责任法的重要组成部分。本文拟对中美两国产品责任法中有关产品、产品缺陷的定义及产品缺陷的分类等作一比较,以期为我国产品责任法的进一步发展提供一种参考。

一、产品的定义

我国《产品质量法》第2条第2款规定“本法所称产品是指经过 加工、制作,用于销售的产品。建筑工程不适用本法规定。”美国《统一产品责任示范法》第102条?规定:“产品指具有真正价值的、为进入市场而生产的,能够作为组装整件或者作为部件、零件交付的物品。但人体组织、器官、血液组成成份除外。”从立法技术上讲,中国法律同时使用了概括法和排除法来界定产品。根据上述规定,产品应当具备两个条件:第一,经过加工、制作。未经加工、制作的天然物品不是本法意义上的产品,如矿产品、农产品、加工。制作包括工业上的和手工业上的。电力、煤气等虽然是无体物,但也是工业产品,也应包括在内。第二,用于销售。因而只是为了自己使用的加工、制作品也不属于产品责任法意义上的产品,有些学者认为,使用“销售”不如使用“流通”更为准确。大概主要因为有些产品是企业为了营销目的无偿赠送或作为福利分发交付消费者。其实,“用于销售”不等于经过销售。只要产品是以销售为目的生产、制作的、不论它是经过销售渠道到达消费者或用户手上,还是经过其它渠道,都属于《产品质量法》所规定的产品、因此,似无必要用“流通”代替“销售”。然而,笔者不同意赠与的产品、试用的产品不属于产品责任法意义上的产品的观点。比如厂家将自己生产的新产品或某些产品以赠与、试用、买一送一、买大送小等无偿赠送的方式送与用户,这些产品虽然可能“未投入流通”,但是,以销售为目的生产并以营销目的交付消费者的,这类产品存在缺陷造成他人损害,应当允许受害人提起产品责任诉讼。

几种有不同意见的产品。(1)经过初级农业加工的畜牧、家禽、猎物、渔产。有些学者持肯定态度。另一些学者则将这类物品排除在外。笔者认为没有理由将这些产品一概排除在外。如我国有些南方地区的人民有食用河豚的习惯,如果有人购买经过加工的河豚食用后中毒,应当允许受害人向产品的提供者索赔。(2)血液。美国《统一产品责任示范法》将它排除在外,但是美国伊利诺伊州最高法院在一起案件中将血液也作为产品。法院的理由是:血液是一种包含在侵权法重述(第二版)402A节的意思内的“产品”;这种产品是被“出售”的;这种血液处于一种对使用者的不合理的危险的缺陷状态。法院这样作的目的是为了使医院承担严格责任,以保护病人。笔者认为血液不仅应作为产品责任中的产品,而且是一种直接关系到人民生命健康的重要产品。(3)智力成果,象计算机软件、图书、视听资料等。中国法律尚无这方面的规定。在美国,法院在不存在担心妨碍言论自由的情形下,对错误地提供成文信息适用严格责任。一系列判决将航空地图视为产品,判决航空地图的出版商对因信赖该航空地图而造成飞机失事所致伤亡承担严格责任。有位美国法官将计算机软件分为以标准件在市场上批量销售的通用软件和依其定单专门设计的专用软件。通用软件生产商将产品投放于商业流通渠道,处于控制危险的较为有利的地位,分摊产品事故费用的能力比较强,应当承担严格责任。而专用软件是为特定的特定目的设计生产的,生产规模较小,分散损失的可能性比较小,因此不需要对专用软件生产者适用严格责任。在中国,软件市场和软件消费者日益扩大,将通用软件作为产品责任法意义上的产品是有必要的。

二、产品缺陷的定义与分类

产品缺陷是导致产品责任案件发生的第一个因素,也是确定产品责任的首要环节。正确界定产品缺陷具有十分重要的意义。然而,正是在这个问题上,在学术上,在美国与中国,都存在着比较多的分歧。分歧最后都集中在产品缺陷的标准上,在中国又集中在一些技术性指标上。

1.中国法律中产品缺陷的定义。我国《民法通则》第一百二十二条规定:“因为产品质量不合格造成他人财产、人身损害的,产品制造者、销售者应当依法承担民事责任。”我国《产品质量法》第三十四条规定:“本法所称缺陷,是指产品存在危及人身、他人财产安全的不合理的危险;产品有保障人体健康,人身、财产安全的国家标准、行业标准的,是指不符合该标准。”有关人士撰写的条文释义指出:“不合理的危险…‘是指产品存在明显的或者潜在的,以及被社会普遍公认不应当具有的危险。这种危险主要表现为存在可能危及人体健康,人身、财产安全的因素/标准,“是指判定产品是否存在缺陷的依据之一,是安全、卫生国家标准、行业标准中的安全、卫生指标。即产品不符合保障人体健康,人身,财产安全的国家标准、行业标准中的安全、卫生要求的,则可判定该产品存在缺陷/换一句话就是说/判定产品是否存在危及人身、他人财产安全的不合理的危险,以保障人体健康,人身、财产安全的国家标准、行业标准中的安全,卫生指标作为判定依据。”尚未制定有关标准的,以社会普遍公认的安全、卫生要求,作为判定产品是否存在缺陷的依据。

在现代社会,有关产品质量和产品其它性能的指标、规格、标准,是对产品的生产和销售进行管理的重要工具。对于什么是产品质量,国务院于1986年发布的《工业产品质量责任条例》中规定:“产品质量是指国家的有关法规,质量标准及合同规定的对产品适用。安全和其它特性的要求”。1988年制定的《标准化法》将中国的标准体制划分为国家标准、行业标准,地方标准和企业标准四级。所谓国家标准,是对全国经济,技术发展有重大意义而又必须在全国范围内统一的标准,它包括保障人体健康,人身、财产安全的技术要求等。对需要在全国范围内统一的技术要求,应当制定国家标准。行业标准是指在全国某个行业内统一的标准。对没有国家标准而又需要在全国某个行业范围内统一的技术要求,可以制定行业标准。地方标准是指某一地区范围内统一的标准。对没有国家标准和行业标准而又需要在省。自治区、直辖市范围内统一的工业产品的安全、卫生要求,可以制定地方标准,企业生产的产品没有国家标准和行业标准的,应当制定企业标准,作为组织生产的依据。国家标准、行业标准又分为强制性标准和推荐性标准乙保障人体健康,人身、财产安全的标准属于强制性标准。对生产和销售不符合强制性标准的产品的企业,要依法给予一定的行政处罚。

我国《产品质量法)对产品缺陷的定义与《民法通则》对产品责任中的缺陷产品的表述、在基本精神上是一致的,即将产品缺陷与一定的产品标准直接联系起来。这样作的好处是:如果缺陷产品同时违反了产品质量标准,原告可以通过证明产品不符合标准证明产品有缺陷;法官可以借助产品标准判断缺陷产品。

但是它也带来一些问题。这样作的消极后果至少有三个:首先,模糊了产品责任作为严格责任与一般侵权责任的界限。我国《产品质量法》第三十四条的规定的精神是:产品不符合标准,疏于管理,就有过错,就有责任;反过来,产品符合标准,尽到‘:合理注意”的义务,就没过错,就没责任。而这与产品责任作为特殊侵权责任即严格责任是不和谐的。其次,造成对缺陷产品认定的困难,“产品存在危及人身、他人财产安全的不合理的危险”与“产品不符合保障人体健康,人身、财产安全的国家标准、行业标准”构成确定产品缺陷的双重标准,这后一个标准在对产品进行质量管理时具有极为重要的意义,但是在产品责任诉讼中却难随人意。在某些情况下还会出现与前一个标准的矛盾,正如有的学者指出的那样:“在实践中,可能出现虽然符合质量标准但却具有危险性的情况。”比如新开发的产品,虽然符合某种质量标准,但却可能存在致人损害的危险性。同时,当新产品的开发与相应的产品标准的制定存在时间差时,也会出现类似情况。、再次,容易偏袒生产者和销售者,不利于公平地保护消费者。因为产品质量标准的制订与生产者的参与是分不开的,特别是有关产品质量的行业标准,更是在很大程度上依靠行业内企业的积极参与。加之几十年来政企不分的历史,行业标准与国家标准、地方标准与企业标准不能不受到企业利益的影响,由于这种影响的存在,这些标准也不能不偏向干生产者而不可避免地忽视消费者的利益。

在美国,人们对某些看似客观的企业标准是不信任的,同时也将政府制定的安全标准与民事责任区别开来。美国侵权法专家普儒瑟在论及这一问题时指出:“工业界不被允许建立他们自己的行为标准是一般的法律,因为他们可能会受到节省‘时间、努力和金钱’的动机的影响”o勒冈州最高法院大法官林德指出:“这是真的,即符合政府安全标准一般不被认为否定一个对危险性缺陷设计的起诉,但是如果说从来不能这样作也是过于简单化了。这种符合的作用应当逻辑地视情况而定,包括所符合的具体政府标准的目标被设置得高于还是低于确定生产者的民事责任的标准,以及所达到的安全与成本的平衡。当政府涉足产品市场确定安全标准时,它经常将自己限制于要求防止最公然的危险的最低限度的保护措施之内,然而却低于当时的民事责任标准。”

从理论上看,我国法律中产生双重标准的原因,是在某种程度上混淆了产品缺陷与产品暇疵的区别。虽然有的学者以《论产品暇疵》为题论述产品缺陷。但它们是不同的。《产品质量法》在规定产品缺陷的同时,在第十四条第2款之(二)也使用了“暇疵,’的概念。有关人士的解释是:“本法所称‘暇疵’,是指产品质量不符合本法第14条规定的使用性能,或者不符合采用的产品标准、产品说明、实物样品等明示担保的条件,但是产品不存在危及人身、财产安全的不合理的危险,未丧失产品原有的使用价值。”梁慧星教授指出:“所谓‘缺陷’是指对于使用者或消费者的人身和财产安全具有的危害性。这与合同法上‘暇疵’,仅指产品规格质量不符合法定或约定标准,是完全不同的。”

2,美国产品责任法中缺陷产品的定义。在实践中引用比较多的是《侵权法重述调第2版》402A的界定:“不合理危险的缺陷状态”。撰写者对“不合理的危险”的解释是:“超出了购买该商品的普通消费者以对它的特性的人所共知的常识的预期。”比如,威士忌是一种烈性酒,过饮会致醉。对于这种危险,正常的消费者都能认识到,因而不属于不合理的危险。如果威士忌中含有杂醇油或被兑以工业用酒精,则属于不合理的危险,因为正常的消费者不会希望自己所购买的威士忌中含有会使人失明甚至丧生的工业用酒精的。

对402A有关缺陷标准的解释向来是美国法院遇到众多问题的原因。有些人认为:“不合理危险的缺陷状态”整个词组为责任提供了标准,另一些学者认为,这个定义存在着有关缺陷的双重标准,即“缺陷状态”和“不合理的危险”。有些人仅仅依据其中之一作标准。加利福尼亚州最高法院在克罗宁诉奥尔森公司案中就拒绝适用“不合理的危险”的标准,在这起案件中,原告在驾驶一辆运送面包的卡车时;由于突然刹车而受伤。肇事原因是车上一些由铝制搭扣扣住的面包架向前倒塌,将原告冲到车外而摔伤。原告的证人证明,搭扣失效的原因是由于在金属中含有某些气泡和有机物质,因而很不牢固。在案件一审时;法院拒绝被告的要求,即让原告证明该车具有缺陷,而且此缺陷对使用者或消费者存在“不合理的危险”。最高法院在上诉审时坚持了这一立场,它指出:“我们认为,如果继续要求原告人证明该缺陷产品具有‘不合理的危险’,就会不断增加和加重他的证明负担,这意味着在本院曾开辟的领域里的一个退步”15加州最高法院的立场是可以理解的。既然是严格责任,要求原告证明被告的产品具有“不合理的危险”,与要求原告证明被告的行为不合理,实在不容易区别。

有些中国学者将“当时的科学技术水平无法检验出来的产品对人身、财产有损害的危险”也当作是合理危险,此种观点值得考虑。因为此处所讲的是产品缺陷的标准,而“当时的科学技术水平无法检验出来的产品对人身、财产有损害的危险”本身就是不确定的、需要判断的,如果将它作为一种标准,会在实践中造成无法判断的问题,且很容易偏袒制造商。

3.产品缺陷的种类。多数美国法学作品将产品缺陷分为三种,即:制造缺陷;设计缺陷;警告缺陷。

中国的产品责任法律制度中并没有对产品缺陷的明确分类。与美国法学作品中产品缺陷的分类相比,中国法律的有关规定的特点是:(1)对产品缺陷的分类同时在《产品质量法》和《消费者权益保护法》中加以规定。(2)对有关的产品缺陷的规定分布在生产者和销售者的产品质量责任和义务以及经营者的义务中。(3)从条文的数量分布看,警告缺陷与制造缺陷远多于设计缺陷。(4)由于依靠有关标准,模糊了产品责任中严格责任与疏忽责任的区别,增加了消费者和用户求偿的难度。

三、制造缺陷

制造缺陷,顾名思义,是由于制造过程出现问题而产生的缺陷。美国《统一产品责任示范法》第104条(A)指出:“为了确定产品制造上存在的不合理的不安全性,审理事实的法官必须认定:产品脱离制造者控制时,即在一些重要方面不符合制造者的设计说明书或性能标准,或不同于同一生产线上生产出的同种产品/它可以是由产品的零部件导致的,象飞机高度仪导致的飞机失事案17也可以是由产品的装配过程造成的,象艾思克拉诉富来斯诺可口可乐装瓶公司案个也可以是产品的原材料有问题造成的。

在美国目前的产品责任领域,制造缺陷井非一个有很大争议的问题。一旦归责原则从疏忽责任变成严格责任,兔除了原告对于被告疏忽的证明负担,制造缺陷的案件就变得相对容易起来。实际上,这类案件,即使依据疏忽责任的标准,被告也应当是有责任的,只是在证明和审理上,费时费力,且对原告不公平,原音由于财力的限制而时常面临败诉的危险。

与美国形成对照,中国产品责任案件中,大部分缺陷产品属于制造缺陷,这在一定程度上是我国目前经济发展水平的反映。

四、设计缺陷

1、设计缺陷的含义与判断标准,设计缺陷是产品设计本身存在的缺陷。如关于福特汽车公司生产的平托汽车油箱爆炸的索赔案。平托的油箱和后部结构设计存在着事故隐患,当汽车在以每小时20至30哩的速度行驶中碰撞时,油箱会因碰撞起火爆炸,消费者将面临严重伤害或死亡的危险。如果改进设计(增添加固和减震装置),油箱因碰撞而爆炸起火的可能性将大大降低。但是制造商没有那样作,因此构成设计缺陷,《统一产品责任示范法》第104条(B)款对设计缺陷的规定是:“为了确定产品设计上存在不合理的不安全性,审理事实的法官必须认定:产品在制造时即存在造成原告损害或类似损害的可能性,这类损害的严重性在价值上超过制造商为设计能够防止这类损害的产品所承受的负担,以及替代设计对产品实用性的相反影响。”该款还不厌其烦地开列了五项判断设计。缺陷有证明力的证据事例,这在一个方面说明,设计缺陷的判断远比制造缺陷要难。
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中国加入工作组报告书(英文本)

世界贸易组织法律文件



REPORT OF THE WORKING PARTY

ON THE ACCESSION OF CHINA



TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. INTRODUCTION 1
1. Documentation Provided 1
2. Introductory Statements 1
II. ECONOMIC POLICIES 3
1. Non-Discrimination (including national treatment) 3
2. Monetary and Fiscal Policy 5
3. Foreign Exchange and Payments 5
4. Balance-of-Payments Measures 7
5. Investment Regime 8
6. State-Owned and State-Invested Enterprises 8
7. Pricing Policies 10
8. Competition Policy 12
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES 12
1. Structure and Powers of the Government 12
2. Authority of Sub-National Governments 13
3. Uniform Administration of the Trade Regime 14
4. Judicial Review 14
IV. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN GOODS 15
A. TRADING RIGHTS 15
1. General 15
2. Designated Trading 17
B. IMPORT REGULATION 17
1. Ordinary Customs Duties 17
2. Other Duties and Charges 19
3. Rules of Origin 19
4. Fees and Charges for Services Rendered 19
5. Application of Internal Taxes to Imports 19
6. Tariff Exemptions 20
7. Tariff Rate Quotas 21
8. Quantitative Import Restrictions, including Prohibitions and Quotas 23
9. Import Licensing 26
10. Customs Valuation 27
11. Other Customs Formalities 28
12. Preshipment Inspection 28
13. Anti-Dumping, Countervailing Duties 29
14. Safeguards 31
C. EXPORT REGULATIONS 31
1. Customs Tariffs, Fees and Charges for Services Rendered, Application of Internal Taxes to Exports 31
2. Export Licensing and Export Restrictions 31
3. Export Subsidies 33
D. INTERNAL POLICIES AFFECTING FOREIGN TRADE IN GOODS 33
1. Taxes and Charges Levied on Imports and Exports 33
2. Industrial Policy, including Subsidies 33
3. Technical Barriers to Trade 35
4. Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures 39
5. Trade-Related Investment Measures 40
6. State Trading Entities 40
7. Special Economic Areas 42
8. Transit 43
9. Agricultural Policies 43
10. Trade in Civil Aircraft 45
11. Textiles 45
12. Measures Maintained Against China 46
13. Transitional Safeguards 46
V. TRADE-RELATED INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY REGIME 48
A. GENERAL 48
1. Overview 48
2. Responsible agencies for policy formulation and implementation 52
3. Participation in international intellectual property agreements 53
4. Application of national and MFN treatment to foreign nationals 53
B. SUBSTANTIVE STANDARDS OF PROTECTION, INCLUDING PROCEDURES FOR THE ACQUISITION AND MAINTENANCE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 54
1. Copyright protection 54
2. Trademarks, including service marks 54
3. Geographical indications, including appellations of origin 55
4. Industrial designs 55
5. Patents 56
6. Plant variety protection 58
7. Layout designs of integrated circuits 59
8. Requirements on undisclosed information, including trade secrets and test data 59
C. MEASURES TO CONTROL ABUSE OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS 60
D. ENFORCEMENT 60
1. General 60
2. Civil judicial procedures and remedies 61
3. Provisional measures 61
4. Administrative procedures and remedies 62
5. Special border measures 63
6. Criminal procedures 63
VI. POLICIES AFFECTING TRADE IN SERVICES 63
1. Licensing 63
2. Choice of Partner 66
3. Modification of the Equity Interest 67
4. Prior Experience Requirement for Establishment in Insurance Sector 67
5. Inspection Services 67
6. Market Research 67
7. Legal Services 67
8. Minority Shareholder Rights 67
9. Schedule of Specific Commitments 68
VII. OTHER ISSUES 68
1. Notifications 68
2. Special Trade Arrangements 68
3. Transparency 68
4. Government Procurement 70
VIII. CONCLUSIONS 71



I. INTRODUCTION
1. At its meeting on 4 March 1987, the Council established a Working Party to examine the request of the Government of the People's Republic of China ("China") (L/6017, submitted on 10 July 1986) for resumption of its status as a GATT contracting party, and to submit to the Council recommendations which may include a Protocol on the Status of China. In a communication dated 7 December 1995, the Government of China applied for accession to the Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization ("WTO Agreement") pursuant to Article XII of the WTO Agreement. Following China's application and pursuant to the decision of the General Council on 31 January 1995, the existing Working Party on China's Status as a GATT 1947 Contracting Party was transformed into a WTO Accession Working Party, effective from 7 December 1995. The terms of reference and the membership of the Working Party are reproduced in document WT/ACC/CHN/2/Rev.11 and Corr.1.
2. The Working Party on China's Status as a Contracting Party met on 20 occasions between 1987 and 1995 under the Chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Pierre-Louis Girard (Switzerland). The Working Party on the Accession of China met on 22 March 1996, 1 November 1996, 6 March 1997, 23 May 1997, 1 August 1997, 5 December 1997, 8 April 1998, 24 July 1998, 21 March 2000, 23 June 2000, 27 July 2000, 28 September 2000, 9 November 2000, 8 December 2000, 17 January 2001, 4 July 2001, 20 July 2001 and 17 September 2001 under the same Chairman. At meetings held on 9 November 2000, 8 December 2000 and 17 January 2001, Mr. Paul-Henri Ravier, Deputy Director-General of the WTO, served as Acting Chairman.
1. Documentation Provided
3. The Working Party had before it, to serve as a basis for its discussion, a Memorandum on China's Foreign Trade Regime (L/6125) and questions posed by members of the Working Party on the foreign trade regime of China, together with replies of the Chinese authorities thereto. In addition, the Government of China made available to the Working Party a substantial amount of documentation, which is listed in document WT/ACC/CHN/23/Rev.1.
2. Introductory Statements
4. In statements to the GATT 1947 Working Party and subsequently to the Working Party on the Accession of China, the representative of China stated that China's consistent efforts to resume its status as a contracting party to GATT and accession to the WTO Agreement were in line with its objective of economic reform to establish a socialist market economy as well as its basic national policy of opening to the outside world. China's WTO accession would increase its economic growth and enhance its economic and trade relations with WTO Members.
5. Members of the Working Party welcomed China's accession to the WTO Agreement and considered that its accession would contribute to a strengthening of the multilateral trading system, enhancing the universality of the WTO, bringing mutual benefits to China and to the other Members of the WTO, and ensuring the steady development of the world economy.
6. The representative of China said that China had a territory of 9.6 million square kilometres and, at the end of 1998 a population of 1.25 billion. Since 1979, China had been progressively reforming its economic system, with the objective of establishing and improving the socialist market economy. The reform package introduced in 1994, covering the banking, finance, taxation, investment, foreign exchange ("forex") and foreign trade sectors, had brought about major breakthroughs in China's socialist market economy. State-owned enterprises had been reformed by a clear definition of property rights and responsibilities, a separation of government from enterprise, and scientific management. A modern enterprise system had been created for the state-owned sector, and the latter was gradually getting on the track of growth through independent operation, responsible for its own profits and losses. A nation-wide unified and open market system had been developed. An improved macroeconomic regulatory system used indirect means and market forces to play a central role in economic management and the allocation of resources. A new tax and financial system was functioning effectively. Financial policy had been separated from commercial operations of the central bank, which now focussed on financial regulation and supervision. The exchange rate of the Chinese currency Renminbi (also "RMB") had been unified and remained stable. The Renminbi had been made convertible on current account. Further liberalization of pricing policy had resulted in the majority of consumer and producer products being subject to market prices. The market now played a much more significant role in boosting supply and meeting demand.
7. The representative of China further noted that as a result, in 1999, the Gross Domestic Product ("GDP") of China totaled RMB 8.2054 trillion yuan (approximately US$ 990 billion). In 1998, the net per capita income for rural residents was RMB 2,160 yuan (approximately US$ 260), and the per capita dispensable income for urban dwellers was RMB 5,425 yuan (approximately US$ 655). In recent years, foreign trade had grown substantially. In 1999, total imports and exports of goods reached US$ 360.65 billion, of which exports stood at US$ 194.93 billion, and imports, US$ 165.72 billion. Exports from China in 1998 accounted for 3.4 per cent of the world's total.
8. The representative of China stated that although important achievements have been made in its economic development, China was still a developing country and therefore should have the right to enjoy all the differential and more favourable treatment accorded to developing country Members pursuant to the WTO Agreement.
9. Some members of the Working Party indicated that because of the significant size, rapid growth and transitional nature of the Chinese economy, a pragmatic approach should be taken in determining China's need for recourse to transitional periods and other special provisions in the WTO Agreement available to developing country WTO Members. Each agreement and China's situation should be carefully considered and specifically addressed. In this regard it was stressed that this pragmatic approach would be tailored to fit the specific cases of China's accession in a few areas, which were reflected in the relevant provisions set forth in China's Protocol and Working Party Report. Noting the preceding statements, Members reiterated that all commitments taken by China in her accession process were solely those of China and would prejudice neither existing rights and obligations of Members under the WTO Agreement nor on-going and future WTO negotiations and any other process of accession. While noting the pragmatic approach taken in China's case in a few areas, Members also recognized the importance of differential and more favourable treatment for developing countries embodied in the WTO Agreement.
10. At the request of interested members of the Working Party, the representative of China agreed that China would undertake bilateral market access negotiations with respect to industrial and agricultural products, and initial commitments in services.
11. Some members of the Working Party stated that in addition to undertaking market access negotiations in goods and services, close attention should also be paid to China's multilateral commitments, in particular China's future obligations under the Multilateral Agreements on Trade in Goods and the General Agreement on Trade in Services ("GATS"). This was of vital importance to ensure that China would be able to take full benefit of WTO membership as quickly as possible, as well as to ensure that the value of any market access conditions undertaken were not adversely affected by inconsistent measures such as some types of non-tariff measures.
12. The representative of China stated that the achievement of balance between rights and obligations was the basic principle in its negotiation of WTO accession.
13. Some members of the Working Party expressed concern over discrepancies in statistical information supplied by the Government of China on trade volume/value. Members and China pursued this issue separately in an Informal Group of Experts on Export Statistics.
14. The Working Party reviewed the foreign trade regime of China. The discussions and commitments resulting therefrom are contained in paragraphs 15-342 below and in the Protocol of Accession ("Protocol"), including the annexes.
II. ECONOMIC POLICIES
1. Non-Discrimination (including national treatment)
15. Some members expressed concern regarding the application of the principle of non-discrimination in relation to foreign individuals and enterprises (whether wholly or partly foreign funded). Those members stated that China should enter a commitment to accord non-discriminatory treatment to all foreign individuals and enterprises and foreign-funded enterprises in respect of the procurement of inputs and goods and services necessary for production of goods and the conditions under which their goods were produced, marketed or sold, in the domestic market and for export. In addition, those members said that China should also enter a commitment to guarantee non-discriminatory treatment in respect of the prices and availability of goods and services supplied by national and sub-national authorities and public or state enterprises, in areas including transportation, energy, basic telecommunications, other utilities and factors of production.
16. Some members of the Working Party also raised concerns over China's practice of conditioning or imposing restrictions upon participation in the Chinese economy based upon the nationality of the entity concerned. Those members in particular raised concerns over such practices in relation to the pricing and procurement of goods and services, and the distribution of import and export licences. Members of the Working Party requested that China enter into a commitment not to condition such practices on the nationality of the entity concerned.
17. In response, the representative of China emphasized the importance of the commitments that the government was undertaking on non-discrimination. The representative of China noted, however, that any commitment to provide non-discriminatory treatment to Chinese enterprises, including foreign-funded enterprises, and foreign enterprises and individuals in China, would be subject to other provisions of the Protocol and, in particular, would not prejudice China's rights under the GATS, China's Schedule of Specific Commitments or commitments undertaken in relation to trade-related investment measures.
18. The representative of China further confirmed that China would provide the same treatment to Chinese enterprises, including foreign-funded enterprises, and foreign enterprises and individuals in China. China would eliminate dual pricing practices as well as differences in treatment accorded to goods produced for sale in China in comparison to those produced for export. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
19. The representative of China confirmed that, consistent with China's rights and obligations under the WTO Agreement and the Protocol, China would provide non-discriminatory treatment to all WTO Members, including Members of the WTO that were separate customs territories. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
20. Some members of the Working Party expressed concern about certain provisions of Chinese laws, regulations, administrative notices and other requirements which could, directly or indirectly, result in less favourable treatment of imported products in contravention of Article III of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade ("GATT 1994"). Such requirements included product registration and certification, internal taxation, price and profit controls and all distinct forms of licensing for imports, and distribution or sale of imported goods. Even where such requirements existed in relation to domestically produced goods, those members reiterated that any de facto or de jure less favourable treatment of imported goods had to be eliminated in order to ensure full conformity with the principle of national treatment.
21. Some members of the Working Party drew China's attention to the variety of types of requirements which could contravene Article III of the GATT 1994. Specific reference was made to the procedures, charges and conditions for granting of business licences, whether to import, distribute, re-sell or retail goods of non-Chinese origin. Reference was also made to taxes and fiscal provisions whose impact depended, directly or indirectly, upon the Chinese or non-Chinese origin of the goods imported or traded. Those members drew the attention of China to its obligation to ensure that product testing and certification requirements, including procedures for in situ inspections, posed no greater burden - whether financial or practical - on goods of non-Chinese origin than on domestic goods. Those members underlined that conformity assessment procedures and standards, including safety and other compliance requirements, had to respect the terms of the WTO Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade ("TBT Agreement") as well as Article III of the GATT 1994.
22. The representative of China confirmed that the full respect of all laws, regulations and administrative requirements with the principle of non-discrimination between domestically produced and imported products would be ensured and enforced by the date of China's accession unless otherwise provided in the Protocol or Report. The representative of China declared that, by accession, China would repeal and cease to apply all such existing laws, regulations and other measures whose effect was inconsistent with WTO rules on national treatment. This commitment was made in relation to final or interim laws, administrative measures, rules and notices, or any other form of stipulation or guideline. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
23. In particular, the representative of China confirmed that measures would be taken at national and sub-national level, including repeal or modification of legislation, to provide full GATT national treatment in respect of laws, regulations and other measures applying to internal sale, offering for sale, purchase, transportation, distribution or use of the following:
- After sales service (repair, maintenance and assistance), including any conditions applying to its provision, such as the MOFTEC third Decree of 6 September 1993, imposing mandatory licensing procedures for the supply of after-sales service on various imported products;
- Pharmaceutical products, including regulations, notices and measures which subjected imported pharmaceuticals to distinct procedures and formulas for pricing and classification, or which set limits on profit margins attainable and imports, or which created any other conditions regarding price or local content which could result in less favourable treatment of imported products;
- Cigarettes, including unification of the licensing requirements so that a single licence authorized the sale of all cigarettes, irrespective of their country of origin, and elimination of any other restrictions regarding points of sale for imported products, such as could be imposed by the China National Tobacco Corporation ("CNTC"). It was understood that in the case of cigarettes, China could avail itself of a transitional period of two years to fully unify the licensing requirements. Immediately upon accession, and during the two year transitional period, the number of retail outlets selling imported cigarettes would be substantially increased throughout the territory of China;
- Spirits, including requirements applied under China's "Administrative Measures on Imported Spirits in the Domestic Market", and other provisions which imposed distinct criteria and licensing for the distribution and sale of different categories of spirits, including unification of the licensing requirements so that a single licence authorized the sale of all spirits irrespective of their country of origin;
- Chemicals, including registration procedures applicable to imported products, such as those applied under China's "Provisions on the Environmental Administration of Initial Imports of Chemical Products and Imports and Exports of Toxic Chemical Products";
- Boilers and pressure vessels, including certification and inspection procedures which had to be no less favourable than those applied to goods of Chinese origin, and fees applied by the relevant agencies or administrative bodies, which had to be equitable in relation to those chargeable for like products of domestic origin.
The representative of China stated that in the cases of pharmaceuticals, spirits and chemicals cited above, China would reserve the right to use a transitional period of one year from the date of accession in order to amend or repeal the relevant legislation. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
2. Monetary and Fiscal Policy
24. The representative of China stated that through the reform and opening up in the last two decades, China had established a fiscal management system which was compatible with the principles of a market economy. With respect to fiscal revenue, a taxation system with a value-added tax as the main element had been established since the taxation reform in 1994. With respect to fiscal expenditure, over recent years the government had, in line with the public fiscal requirement generally exercised by market economies, strengthened its adjustment of the structure of expenditure and given priority to public needs so as to ensure the normal operations of the government.
25. The representative of China further stated that in recent years, while pursuing proactive fiscal policy, China had implemented proper monetary policy and had taken a series of adjusting and reform measures which included lowering the interest rate for loans from financial institutions, improving the system of required deposit reserves and lowering the ratio of required reserves, positively increasing the input of base money and encouraging the commercial banks to expand their credit.
26. In respect of future fiscal policy, the representative of China noted that the Government of China would further improve its taxation system and would continue to improve the efficiency of fiscal expenditure through implementing reform measures such as sectoral budget, centralized payment by the national treasury and zero base budget, as well as improving management of fiscal expenditure. With respect to future monetary policy, the central bank would continue to pursue a prudent policy, maintain the stability of RMB, promote interest rate liberalization and establish a modern commercial banking system.
3. Foreign Exchange and Payments
27. Some members of the Working Party raised concerns about China's use of forex controls to regulate the level and composition of trade in goods and services. In response, the representative of China stated that China was now a member of the International Monetary Fund ("IMF") and that recently its system of forex had undergone rapid change. Significant moves had been taken to reform, rationalize and liberalize the forex market. The practice of multiple exchange rates in swap centres had been abolished. China had already unified its forex market and removed many of the restrictions on the use of forex.
28. Outlining the historical development of China's forex reform, the representative of China stated that the purpose of China's forex reform was to reduce administrative intervention and increase the role of market forces. From 1979, a forex retention system was applied in China, although forex swap was gradually developing. In early 1994, official RMB exchange rates were unified with the market rates. The banking exchange system was adopted and a nationwide unified inter-bank forex market was established, with conditional convertibility of the Renminbi on current accounts. Since 1996, foreign invested enterprises ("FIEs") were also permitted into the banking exchange system, and the remaining exchange restrictions on current accounts were eliminated. On 1 December 1996, China had formally accepted the obligations of Article VIII of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, removing exchange restrictions on current account transactions. Accordingly, since then the Renminbi had been fully convertible on current accounts. It was confirmed by the IMF in its Staff Report on Article IV Consultations with China in 2000 that China had no existing forex restrictions for current account transactions.
29. The representative of China stated that the State Administration of Foreign Exchange ("SAFE") was under the auspices of the People's Bank of China ("PBC"), and was the administrative organ empowered to regulate forex. Its main functions were to monitor and advise on balance-of-payments and forex matters. SAFE was also required to draft appropriate regulations and monitor compliance. He further noted that domestic and foreign banks, and financial institutions could engage in forex business, with the approval of the PBC.
30. In response to requests from members of the Working Party for further information, the representative of China added that for forex payments under current accounts, domestic entities (including FIEs) could purchase forex at market exchange rates from designated banks or debit their forex accounts directly upon presentation of valid documents. For payments such as pre-payment, commission, etc., exceeding the proportion or limit, the entities could also purchase forex from the banks upon meeting the bona fide test administered by SAFE. Forex for personal use by individuals could be purchased directly from the banks upon presentation of valid documents (within a specified limit). For amounts exceeding the limit, individuals able to prove their need for additional forex could purchase it from the banks. He also noted that current account forex receipts owned by domestic entities had to be repatriated into China, some of which could be retained and some sold to the designated banks at market rates. A verification system for forex payment (imports) and forex receipt (exports) had also been adopted.
31. Concerning the exchange rate regime in particular, the representative of China noted that since the unification of exchange rates on 1 January 1994, China had adopted a single and managed floating exchange rate regime based on supply and demand. PBC published the reference rates of RMB against the US dollar, the HK dollar and Japanese yen based on the weighted average prices of forex transactions at the interbank forex market during the previous day's trading. The buying and selling rates of RMB against the US dollar on the inter-bank forex market could fluctuate within 0.3 per cent of the reference rate. For the HK dollar and Japanese yen, the permitted range was 1 per cent. Designated forex banks could deal with their clients at an agreed rate. Under such contracts the exchange rate of the US dollar was required to be within 0.15 per cent of the reference rate, whereas for the HK dollar and Japanese yen, the permitted range was 1 per cent. The exchange rates for other foreign currencies were based on the rates of RMB against the US dollar and cross-exchange rates of other foreign currency on the international market. The permitted margin between the buying and selling rate could not exceed 0.5 per cent.
32. The representative of China further noted that since 1 January 1994, designated forex banks had become major participants in forex transactions. On 1 April 1994, the China Foreign Exchange Trading System was set up in Shanghai and branches were opened in dozens of cities. The Foreign Exchange Trading System had adopted a system of membership, respective quotation, concentrated trading and forex market settlement. Designated forex banks dealt on the inter-bank market according to the turnover position limit on banking exchange stipulated by SAFE and covered the position on the market. Depending on its macro-economic objectives, the PBC could intervene in the forex open market in order to regulate market supply and demand, and maintain the stability of the RMB exchange rate.
33. The representative of China noted that since 1 July 1996, forex dealing of the FIEs was carried out through the banking exchange system. He further noted that to encourage foreign direct investment, China had granted national treatment to FIEs in exchange administration. Accordingly, FIEs were allowed to open and hold forex settlement accounts to retain receipts under current accounts, up to a maximum amount stipulated by SAFE. Receipts in excess of the maximum amount were required to be sold to designated forex banks. No restrictions were maintained on the payment and transfer of current transactions by FIEs, and FIEs could purchase forex from designated forex banks or debit their forex accounts for any payment under current transactions, upon the presentation of valid documents to the designated forex banks or SAFE for the bona fide test. FIEs could also open forex accounts to hold foreign-invested capital, and they could sell from these accounts upon the approval of SAFE. FIEs could also borrow forex directly from domestic and overseas banks, but were required to register with SAFE afterwards, and obtain approval by SAFE for debt repayment and services. FIEs could make payments from their forex accounts or in forex purchased from designated forex banks after liquidation, upon approval by SAFE according to law.
34. The representative of China further noted that the laws and regulations mentioned above were: Law of the People's Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Venture; Law of the People's Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Venture; Regulations on the Exchange System of the People's Republic of China; and Regulations on the Sale and Purchase of and Payment in Foreign Exchange.
35. The representative of China stated that China would implement its obligations with respect to forex matters in accordance with the provisions of the WTO Agreement and related declarations and decisions of the WTO that concerned the IMF. The representative further recalled China's acceptance of Article VIII of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, which provided that "no member shall, without the approval of the Fund, impose restrictions on the making of payments and transfers for current international transactions". He stated that, in accordance with these obligations, and unless otherwise provided for in the IMF's Articles of Agreement, China would not resort to any laws, regulations or other measures, including any requirements with respect to contractual terms, that would restrict the availability to any individual or enterprise of forex for current international transactions within its customs territory to an amount related to the forex inflows attributable to that individual or enterprise. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
36. In addition, the representative of China stated that China would provide information on exchange measures as required under Article VIII, Section 5 of the IMF's Articles of Agreement, and such other information on its exchange measures as was deemed necessary in the context of the transitional review mechanism. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
4. Balance-of-Payments Measures
37. Some members of the Working Party stated that China should apply balance-of-payments ("BOPs") measures only under the circumstances provided for in the WTO Agreement and not as a justification for imposition of restrictions on imports for other protectionist purposes. Those members stated that measures taken for BOPs reasons should have the least trade disruptive effect possible and should be limited to temporary import surcharges, import deposit requirements or other equivalent price-based trade measures, and those measures should not be used to provide import protection for specific sectors, industries or products.
38. Those members of the Working Party further stated that any such measures should be notified pursuant to the Understanding on the Balance-of-Payments Provisions of the GATT 1994 ("BOPs Understanding") to the General Council not later than the imposition of the measures, together with a time schedule for their elimination and a programme of external and domestic policy measures to be used to restore BOPs equilibrium. Those members also stated that following deposit of such a notification, the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions ("BOPs Committee") should meet to examine the notification. It was noted that paragraph 4 of the BOPs Understanding would be available to China in the case of "essential products". Some members stated that the BOPs Committee should review the operation of any BOPs measures taken by China, if so requested by China or a WTO Member.
39. Some other members of the Working Party considered that, in respect of measures taken for BOP purposes, China should enjoy the same rights as those accorded to other developing country WTO Members, as provided in GATT Article XVIII:B and the BOPs Understanding.
40. In response, the representative of China stated that China considered that it should have the right to make full use of WTO BOPs provisions to protect, if necessary, its BOPs situation. He confirmed that China would fully comply with the provisions of the GATT 1994 and the BOPs Understanding. Further to such compliance, China would give preference to application of price-based measures as set forth in the BOPs Understanding. If China resorted to measures that were not price-based, it would transform such measures into price-based measures as soon as possible. Any measures taken would be maintained strictly in accordance with the GATT 1994 and the BOPs Understanding, and would not exceed what was necessary to address the particular BOPs situation. The representative of China also confirmed that measures taken for BOPs reasons would only be applied to control the general level of imports and not to protect specific sectors, industries or products, except as noted in paragraph 38. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
5. Investment Regime
41. The representative of China stated that since the inception of the reform and opening up policy in the late 1970's, China had carried out a series of reforms of its investment regime. The highly centralized investment administration under the planned economy had been progressively transformed into a new pattern of diversification of investors, multi-channelling of capital sources and diversification of investment modalities. The government encouraged foreign investment into the Chinese market and had uninterruptedly opened and expanded the scope for investment. At the same time, the Government of China also encouraged the development of the non-state-operated economy and was speeding up the opening of areas for non-state investment. With China's programme in the establishment of its market economy, the construction projects of various enterprises utilizing free capital and financed by the credit of the enterprise would be fully subject to the decision-making of the enterprise concerned and at their own risk. The commercial banks' credit activities to all kinds of investors would be based on their own evaluation and decision-making, and would be at their own risk. The business activities of intermediate investment agencies would be fully subject to the market and would provide service at the instruction of the investors. These agencies would break up their administrative relations with government agencies and the service activities financed by the government would also be subject to the terms and conditions agreed in the contracts concerned.
42. The representative of China further stated that China had promulgated investment guidelines and that the Government of China was in the process of revising and completing these guidelines. Responding to concerns raised by certain members of the Working Party, he confirmed that these investment guidelines and their implementation would be in full conformity with the WTO Agreement. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
6. State-Owned and State-Invested Enterprises
43. The representative of China stated that the state-owned enterprises of China basically operated in accordance with rules of market economy. The government would no longer directly administer the human, finance and material resources, and operational activities such as production, supply and marketing. The prices of commodities produced by state-owned enterprises were decided by the market and resources in operational areas were fundamentally allocated by the market. The state-owned banks had been commercialized and lending to state-owned enterprises took place exclusively under market conditions. China was furthering its reform of state-owned enterprises and establishing a modern enterprise system.
44. In light of the role that state-owned and state-invested enterprises played in China's economy, some members of the Working Party expressed concerns about the continuing governmental influence and guidance of the decisions and activities of such enterprises relating to the purchase and sale of goods and services. Such purchases and sales should be based solely on commercial considerations, without any governmental influence or application of discriminatory measures. In addition, those members indicated the need for China to clarify its understanding of the types of activities that would not come within the scope of Article III:8(a) of GATT 1994. For example, any measure relating to state-owned and state-invested enterprises importing materials and machinery used in the assembly of goods, which were then exported or otherwise made available for commercial sale or use or for non-governmental purposes, would not be considered to be a measure relating to government procurement.
45. The representative of China emphasized the evolving nature of China's economy and the significant role of FIEs and the private sector in the economy. Given the increasing need and desirability of competing with private enterprises in the market, decisions by state-owned and state-invested enterprises had to be based on commercial considerations as provided in the WTO Agreement.
46. The representative of China further confirmed that China would ensure that all state-owned and state-invested enterprises would make purchases and sales based solely on commercial considerations, e.g., price, quality, marketability and availability, and that the enterprises of other WTO Members would have an adequate opportunity to compete for sales to and purchases from these enterprises on non-discriminatory terms and conditions. In addition, the Government of China would not influence, directly or indirectly, commercial decisions on the part of state-owned or state-invested enterprises, including on the quantity, value or country of origin of any goods purchased or sold, except in a manner consistent with the WTO Agreement. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
47. The representative of China confirmed that, without prejudice to China's rights in future negotiations in the Government Procurement Agreement, all laws, regulations and measures relating to the procurement by state-owned and state-invested enterprises of goods and services for commercial sale, production of goods or supply of services for commercial sale, or for non-governmental purposes would not be considered to be laws, regulations and measures relating to government procurement. Thus, such purchases or sales would be subject to the provisions of Articles II, XVI and XVII of the GATS and Article III of the GATT 1994. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
48. Certain members of the Working Party expressed concern about laws, regulations and measures in China affecting the transfer of technology, in particular in the context of investment decisions. Moreover, these members expressed concern about measures conditioning the receipt of benefits, including investment approvals, upon technology transfer. In their view, the terms and conditions of technology transfer, particularly in the context of an investment, should be agreed between the parties to the investment without government interference. The government should not, for example, condition investment approval upon technology transfer.
49. The representative of China confirmed that China would only impose, apply or enforce laws, regulations or measures relating to the transfer of technology, production processes, or other proprietary knowledge to an individual or enterprise in its territory that were not inconsistent with the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights ("TRIPS Agreement") and the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures ("TRIMs Agreement"). He confirmed that the terms and conditions of technology transfer, production processes or other proprietary knowledge, particularly in the context of an investment, would only require agreement between the parties to the investment. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
7. Pricing Policies
50. Some members of the Working Party noted that China had made extensive use of price controls, for example in the agricultural sector. Those members requested that China undertake specific commitments concerning its system of state pricing. In particular, those members stated that China should allow prices for traded goods and services in every sector to be determined by market forces, and multi-tier pricing practices for such goods and services should be eliminated. Those members noted, however, that China expected to maintain price controls on the goods and services listed in Annex 4 to the Protocol, and stated that any such controls should be maintained in a manner consistent with the WTO Agreement, in particular Article III of the GATT 1994 and Annex 2, paragraphs 3 and 4, of the Agreement on Agriculture. Those members noted that except in exceptional circumstances, and subject to notification to the WTO Secretariat, price controls should not be extended to goods or services beyond those listed in Annex 4, and China should make its best efforts to reduce and eliminate those controls. They also asked that China publish in the appropriate official journal the list of goods and services subject to state pricing and changes thereto.
51. Some members of the Working Party expressed the view that price controls and state pricing in China also encompassed "guidance pricing" and regulation of the range of profits that enterprises could enjoy. Such policies and practices would also be subject to China's commitments. In their view, price controls should be adopted only in extraordinary circumstances and should be removed as soon as the circumstances justifying their adoption were addressed.
52. The representative of China said that China currently applied a mechanism of market-based pricing under macro-economic adjustment. He noted that national treatment was applied in the areas of government pricing for all imported goods. There were presently three types of prices: government price, government guidance price and market-regulated price. The government price was set by price administration authorities and could not be changed without the approval of these authorities. Products and services subject to government pricing were those having a direct bearing on the national economy and the basic needs of the people's livelihood, including those products that were scarce in China.
53. The representative of China stated that when government prices or government guidance prices needed to be adjusted or reset, the agencies or operators concerned should apply or propose to the competent pricing authorities for that purpose. There was not a fixed time frame for the adjustment of government prices or government guidance prices. Competent agencies or operators could, in the light of market changes and according to relevant provisions of the Price Law, submit applications or proposals to the competent pricing authorities for pricing or adjustment of the original prices. The government pricing authorities would, in the light of such factors as market demand and supply, operational costs, effect on consumers as well as the quality of services, determine specific prices for the services concerned, or set guidance prices and floating ranges within which operators could determine specific prices. When setting prices for public utilities, important public welfare services and goods subject to natural monopolies and services which were of vital interest to the general public, government pricing authorities would hold public hearings and invite consumers, operators and other concerned parties to comment and debate on the necessity and impact of a price adjustment. The prices of important services were subject to the approval of the State Council. This mechanism had helped to significantly improve the rationality and transparency of government pricing. All enterprises, regardless of their nature and ownership, were free to participate in such hearings and voice their opinions and concerns which would be taken into consideration by the competent pricing authorities. Meanwhile, government pricing was product- or service-specific, regardless of the ownership of the enterprises concerned. All the enterprises and individuals enjoyed the same treatment in terms of participating in the process of setting government prices and government guidance prices.
54. The representative of China added that the government guidance price mechanism was a more flexible form of pricing. The price administration authorities stipulated either a basic price or floating ranges. The floating range of guidance pricing was generally 5 per cent to 15 per cent. Enterprises could, within the limits of the guidance and taking into account the market situation, make their own decisions on prices. With market-regulated prices, enterprises were free to set prices in accordance with supply and demand to the extent permitted by generally applicable laws, regulations and policies concerning prices.
55. The representative of China stated that in formulating government prices and government guidance prices, the following criteria were taken into account: normal production costs, supply and demand situation, relevant government policies and prices of related products. When fixing prices of consumer goods, consideration was given to the limits of consumers' purchasing power. He noted that due to the continued reform of China's price system, the share of government prices had dropped substantially and that of market-regulated prices had increased; of social retailing products, the share of government prices was about 4 per cent, that of government guidance prices 1.2 per cent, and that of market-regulated prices 94.7 per cent. For agricultural products, the share of government prices was 9.1 per cent, government guidance prices 7.1 per cent, and market-regulated 83.3 per cent. For production inputs, the share of government prices was 9.6 per cent, that of government guidance prices 4.4 per cent, and market-regulated prices 86 per cent. The share of directly government-controlled prices had been much reduced. China's price system was becoming increasingly rationalized, creating a relatively fair marketplace for all enterprises to compete on an equal footing.
56. The representative of China recalled that Annex 4 of the Protocol contained a comprehensive listing of all products and services presently subject to government guidance pricing and government pricing. He stated that the services subject to price controls were listed in Annex 4 by their respective CPC codes.
57. Some members of the Working Party requested additional information on the specific activities subject to government pricing or government guidance pricing. In particular, those members requested information on professional services, educational services, and charges for settlement clearing and transmission services of banks. In response, the representative of China stated that "The Administrative Rules on Intermediate Services" promulgated in 1999 by six central government agencies led by the State Development and Planning Commission ("SDPC") dealt with government pricing on intermediate services such as inspection authentication, notarization and arbitration and services which were in limited supply due to their special requirements. For legal services, the Interim Regulation on Charges and Fees of Legal Services, jointly promulgated by the SDPC and the Ministry of Justice stipulated that for law firms practising Chinese law, charges and fees for the following activities were subject to the approval of the SDPC: (1) representing a client in a civil case, including an appeal; (2) representing a client in a case contesting an administrative agency's decision; (3) providing legal advice to criminal suspects, acting for a client in connection with an appeal or prosecution, applying for bail, representing a defendant or victim in a criminal case; and (4) representing a client in an arbitration. For foreign legal service providers engaged in activities such as those listed in China's GATS schedule, the foreign legal service providers would determine the appropriate charges and fees which would not be subject to government pricing or guidance pricing.
58. The representative of China noted that regulations also existed for the other services included in Annex 4. Government pricing and guidance pricing covered auditing services. For architectural services, advisory and pre-design architectural services and contract administration activities were subject to government pricing or government guidance pricing. For engineering services, advisory and consultative services, engineering design services for the construction of foundations and building structures, design services for mechanical and electrical installations for buildings, construction of civil engineering works, and industrial processes and production were subject to government pricing or government guidance pricing. Primary, secondary and higher education services were subject to government pricing.
59. The representative of China further explained that charges for settlement, clearing and transmission services of banks referred to in Annex 4 related to the charges and fees collected by banks for the services provided to enterprises and individuals when the banks conducted currency payments and transmission and fund settlements by using clearance methods such as bills and notes, collections and acceptances. These mainly included commission charges of bills, cashier's cheques, cheques, remittances, entrusted collections of payment, and collections and acceptances of banks.
60. The representative of China confirmed that it would publish in the official journal the list of goods and services subject to state pricing and changes thereto, together with price-setting mechanisms and policies. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
61. The representative of China confirmed that the official journal providing price information was the Pricing Monthly of the People's Republic of China, published in Beijing. It was a monthly magazine listing all products and services priced by the State. He further stated that China would continue to further its price reform, adjusting the catalogue subject to state pricing and further liberalize its pricing policies.
62. The representative of China further confirmed that price controls would not be used for purposes of affording protection to domestic industries or services providers. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
63. Some members of the Working Party expressed a concern that China could maintain prices below market-based ones in order to limit imports.
64. In response, the representative of China confirmed that China would apply its current price controls and any other price controls upon accession in a WTO-consistent fashion, and would take account of the interests of exporting WTO Members as provided for in Article III:9 of the GATT 1994. He also confirmed that price controls would not have the effect of limiting or otherwise impairing China's market-access commitments on goods and services. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
8. Competition Policy
65. The representative of China noted that the Government of China encouraged fair competition and was against acts of unfair competition of all kinds. The Law of the People's Republic of China on Combating Unfair Competition, promulgated on 2 September 1993 and implemented on 1 December 1993, was the basic law to maintain the order of competition in the market. In addition, the Price Law, the Law on Tendering and Bidding, the Criminal Law and other relevant laws also contained provisions on anti-monopoly and unfair competition. China was now formulating the Law on Anti-Monopoly.
III. FRAMEWORK FOR MAKING AND ENFORCING POLICIES
1. Structure and Powers of the Government
66. The representative of China informed members of the Working Party that in accordance with the Constitution and the Law on Legislation of the People's Republic of China, the National People's Congress was the highest organ of state power. Its permanent body was its Standing Committee. The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee exercised the legislative power of the State. They had the power to formulate the Constitution and laws. The State Council, i.e., the Central People's Government of China, was the executive body of the highest organ of state power. The State Council, in accordance with the Constitution and relevant laws, was entrusted with the power to formulate administrative regulations. The ministries, commissions and other competent departments (collectively referred to as "departments'') of the State Council could issue departmental rules within the jurisdiction of their respective departments and in accordance with the laws and administrative regulations. The provincial people's congresses and their standing committees could adopt local regulations. The provincial governments had the power to make local government rules. The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee had the power to annul the administrative regulations that contradicted the Constitution and laws as well as the local regulations that contradicted the Constitution, laws and administrative regulations. The State Council had the power to annul departmental rules and local government rules that were inconsistent with the Constitution, laws or administrative regulations. These features of the Chinese legal system would ensure an effective and uniform implementation of the obligations after China's accession.
67. The representative of China stated that China had been consistently performing its international treaty obligations in good faith. According to the Constitution and the Law on the Procedures of Conclusion of Treaties, the WTO Agreement fell within the category of "important international agreements" subject to the ratification by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. China would ensure that its laws and regulations pertaining to or affecting trade were in conformity with the WTO Agreement and with its commitments so as to fully perform its international obligations. For this purpose, China had commenced a plan to systematically revise its relevant domestic laws. Therefore, the WTO Agreement would be implemented by China in an effective and uniform manner through revising its existing domestic laws and enacting new ones fully in compliance with the WTO Agreement.
68. The representative of China confirmed that administrative regulations, departmental rules and other central government measures would be promulgated in a timely manner so that China's commitments would be fully implemented within the relevant time frames. If administrative regulations, departmental rules or other measures were not in place within such time frames, authorities would still honour China's obligations under the WTO Agreement and Protocol. The representative of China further confirmed that the central government would undertake in a timely manner to revise or annul administrative regulations or departmental rules if they were inconsistent with China's obligations under the WTO Agreement and Protocol. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
2. Authority of Sub-National Governments
69. Several members of the Working Party raised concerns about the continued presence of multiple trade instruments used by different levels of government within China. Those members considered that this situation resulted in a lessening of the security and predictability of access to the Chinese market. These Members raised specific concerns regarding the authority of sub-national governments in the areas of fiscal, financial and budgetary activities, specifically with respect to subsidies, taxation, trade policy and other issues covered by the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. In addition, some members expressed concerns about whether the central government could effectively ensure that trade-related measures introduced at the sub-national level would conform to China's commitments in the WTO Agreement and the Protocol.
70. The representative of China stated that sub-national governments had no autonomous authority over issues of trade policy to the extent that they were related to the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. The representative of China confirmed that China would in a timely manner annul local regulations, government rules and other local measures that were inconsistent with China's obligations. The representative of China further confirmed that the central government would ensure that China's laws, regulations and other measures, including those of local governments at the sub-national level, conformed to China's obligations undertaken in the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
3. Uniform Administration of the Trade Regime
71. Some members of the Working Party stated that it should be made clear that China would apply the requirements of the WTO Agreement and its other accession commitments throughout China's entire customs territory, including border trade regions, minority autonomous areas, Special Economic Zones ("SEZs"), open coastal cities, economic and technical development zones and other special economic areas and at all levels of government.
72. Those members of the Working Party also raised concerns about whether China's central government would be sufficiently informed about non-uniform practices and would take necessary enforcement actions. Those members stated that China should establish a mechanism by which any concerned person could bring to the attention of the central government cases of non-uniform application of the trade regime and receive prompt and effective action to address situations in which non-uniform application was established.
73. The representative of China confirmed that the provisions of the WTO Agreement, including the Protocol, would be applied uniformly throughout its customs territory, including in SEZs and other areas where special regimes for tariffs, taxes and regulations were established and at all levels of government. The Working Party took note of this commitment.
74. In response to questions from certain members of the Working Party, the representative of China confirmed that laws, regulations and other measures included decrees, orders, directives, administrative guidance and provisional and interim measures. He stated that in China, local governments included provincial governments, including autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government, cities, counties and townships. The representative of China further stated that local regulations, rules and other measures were issued by local governments at the provincial, city and county levels acting within their respective constitutional powers and functions and applied at their corresponding local level. Townships were only authorized to implement measures. Special economic areas were also authorized to issue and implement local rules and regulations.
75. The representative of China further confirmed that the mechanism established pursuant to Section 2(A) of the Protocol would be operative upon accession. All individuals and entities could bring to the attention of central government authorities cases of non-uniform application of China's trade regime, including its commitments under the WTO Agreement and the Protocol. Such cases would be referred promptly to the responsible government agency, and when non-uniform application was established, the authorities would act promptly to address the situation utilizing the remedies available under China's laws, taking into consideration China's international obligations and the need to provide a meaningful remedy. The individual or entity notifying China's authorities would be informed promptly in writing of any decision and action taken. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
4. Judicial Review
76. Some members of the Working Party stated that China should designate independent tribunals, contact points, and procedures for the prompt review of all administrative actions relating to the implementation of laws, regulations, judicial decisions and administrative rulings of general application referred to in Article X:1 of the GATT 1994, including administrative actions relating to import or export licences, non-tariff measures and tariff-rate quota administration, conformity assessment procedures and other measures. These members sought explicit confirmation that certain types of measures, such as decisions relating to standards and chemical registration, would be subject to judicial review. Some members of the Working Party also stated that the administrative actions subject to review should also include any actions required to be reviewed under the relevant provisions of the TRIPS Agreement and the GATS. These members stated that such tribunals should be independent of the agencies entrusted with administrative enforcement of the matter and should not have any substantial interest in the outcome of the matter.
77. Those members of the Working Party stated that such review procedures should include the opportunity for appeal, without penalty, by individuals or enterprises affected by any administrative action subject to review. If an initial right of appeal were to an administrative body, there should be an opportunity to choose to make a further appeal to a judicial body. Any decision by any appellate body and the reasons therefore would be communicated in writing to the appellant, together with notification of any right to further appeal.
78. The representative of China confirmed that it would revise its relevant laws and regulations so that its relevant domestic laws and regulations would be consistent with the requirements of the WTO Agreement and the Protocol on procedures for judicial review of administrative actions. He further stated that the tribunals responsible for such reviews would be impartial and independent of the agency entrusted with administrative enforcement, and would not have any substantial interest in the outcome of the matter. The Working Party took note of these commitments.
79. In response to questions from certain members of the Working Party, the representative of China confirmed that administrative actions related to the implementation of laws, regulations, judicial decisions and administrative rulings of general application referred to in Article X:1 of the GATT 1994, Article VI of the GATS and the relevant provisions of the TRIPS Agreement included those relating to the implementation of national treatment, conformity assessment, the regulation, control, supply or promotion of a service, including the grant or denial of a licence to provide a service and other matters, and that such administrative actions would be subject to the procedures established for prompt review under Section 2(D)(2) of the Protocol, and information on such procedures would be a

关于印发浙江省政府质量奖评审员管理规定的通知

浙江省质量技术监督局


关于印发浙江省政府质量奖评审员管理规定的通知

浙质奖评办〔2011〕4号


省政府质量奖评委会各成员单位,各市政府质量奖评委会办公室:

现将《浙江省政府质量奖评审员管理规定》印发给你们,请认真组织实施。






二○一一年六月七日




浙江省政府质量奖评审员管理规定



第一章 总 则

第一条 为保证省政府质量奖评审工作的科学性、公正性、权威性,依据《浙江省政府质量奖评审管理办法(试行)》、《浙江省政府质量奖评审管理实施细则》制订本规定。

第二条 本规定适用于省政府质量奖评审员(以下简称评审员)的选拔聘用、规范行为、调配使用和日常管理。

第三条 浙江省政府质量奖评审委员会办公室(设在浙江省质量技术监督局,以下简称“省评审办”)负责评审员管理工作。

第二章 评审员选聘

第四条 省评审办根据评审工作需要建立评审员库。入库评审员分评审员和见习评审员。

第五条 评审员(含见习评审员,下同)选聘遵循自愿报名、组织推荐、择优聘用的原则。

第六条 评审员应具备以下条件:

1. 能认真贯彻执行党的路线、方针、政策,熟悉国家有关质量和经济方面的法律、法规和规定;

2.具有本科以上学历或高级专业技术职称,年龄原则上在65周岁以下;

3.具有五年以上从事质量管理或相关专业技术工作经历,有丰富的质量管理理论和实践经验,熟悉企业质量工作;

4.具有较强的综合分析判断能力、语言表述能力和文字表达能力;

5.受过质量管理知识的系统培训,熟悉《卓越绩效评价准则》和《卓越绩效评价准则实施指南》国家标准,掌握卓越绩效模式的方法;

6. 有良好的职业道德,能认真履行职责,严格遵守评审纪律,公正严明,保守秘密。

第七条 招聘评审员由省评审办统一发布通告。省外应聘人员由所在单位推荐;省内应聘人员由各市评审办负责推荐。省评审办负责受理应聘申请,核查相关的证明材料。

第八条 对符合聘用条件的应聘人员,由省评审办负责组织培训,并对培训情况进行考试,对综合素质进行考核。

第九条 经考试、考核合格的,由省评审办依据考试、考核情况,决定聘用其为评审员或见习评审员,颁发聘用证书。聘用期为四年,期满后按选聘程序重新聘用。

第三章 评审员调配使用

第十条 省评审办负责评审员的统一调配使用。各市、县(市、区)政府质量奖评审如需评审员,可向省评审办提出申请,由省评审办予以推荐。

第十一条 省政府质量奖各阶段评审所需的评审员,由省评审办在评审员库中随机抽取,并根据受评企业的行业分类及评审员专业情况,进行分组并确定评审组长。

第十二条 省评审办建立评审员交流轮换制度。评审员在聘用期内原则上安排参加3家以上各级政府质量奖申报企业的现场评审工作。根据评审工作需要,省评审办可邀请省外评审员和省内市级政府质量奖评审员参与省政府质量奖评审工作。

第十三条 实行利益相关方回避及评审员自我声明制度。凡评审员及所在单位与受评企业存在竞争关系、雇佣关系、亲属关系等相关利益联系的,必须主动声明并申请回避。评审员在参加评审工作之前,必须签订《评审员行为规范承诺书》。

第十四条 建立见习评审员晋升机制。见习评审员在见习期可应邀参加各级政府质量奖的评审工作,但不能独立评审,没有表决权。省评审办每两年组织一次见习评审员晋升考试、考核。凡见习期参加3家以上各级政府质量奖申报企业现场评审工作,经考试成绩达到90分以上并经考核合格的,可晋升为评审员。

第四章 评审员行为规范

第十五条 遵守职业道德规范,坚持公开、公正、公平原则,保证评审工作客观真实。

第十六条 遵循省政府质量奖的评奖宗旨和管理要求,维护所有申报组织的合法权益。

第十七条 自觉抵制可能影响评审公正性的任何个人或组织的干预。

第十八条 对评审信息严格保密。在现场评审前,不得擅自与受评审组织交流评审信息。

第十九条 主动回避利益相关方的评审工作,对曾评审过的组织,评审后三年内不与其建立雇佣关系。

第二十条 廉洁自律,不接受受评审组织的任何宴请、礼物、佣金或有价证券等。

第二十一条 将受评审组织的所有信息和经营行为都视为商业机密并采取以下保密措施:

——除评委会的领导、监督组和专家、省评审办管理人员或指定的评审小组成员外,不与任何人讨论受评审组织的信息,包括申请材料所含信息以及现场查看的所有信息。

——不备份或拷贝受评审组织的信息,不保存受评审组织的材料,包括相关笔记、手记或电子版本记录。

——除了正式小组会议外,不通过网络、电讯、信件等方式进行关于受评审组织的讨论。

——除受评审组织公开发布的信息外,不私自更改和使用受评审组织的任何信息。

第二十二条 未经授权,不擅自给予受评审组织关于分值和总体表现情况的反馈。

第二十三条 进行现场审查时,尊重受评审组织的管理制度及行为规范。

第二十四条 实施评审期间,与其他组员团结协作,共同完成评审任务。

第二十五条 通过评审,进一步熟悉和掌握省政府质量奖评审标准和相关规范性文件,不断提高评审技能,确保评审工作的质量和效率。

第二十六条 如在有关材料中进行自我介绍,只允许使用省政府质量奖评审员名称,并注明聘用年限。

第五章 日常管理

第二十七条 省评审办负责接受组织或个人对评审员的举报和投诉。

第二十八条 省评审办每年将评审员参加评审、培训及相关工作的业绩予以记录并进行评价。

第二十九条 评审员在从事评审工作期间不遵守行为规范、有违纪行为、没有主动声明和申请对利益相关方的评审或年度评价不合格的,由省评审办取消其评审员资格并予以解聘。对有违法行为的,移交司法机关处理。

第三十条 评审员应服从省评审办的工作安排,两次不参加评审的,取消评审员资格。

第五章 附 则

第三十一条 各市、县(市、区)政府质量奖评审员管理可参照本规定执行。

第三十二条 本规定自颁布之日起实施,原《浙江省政府质量奖评审员管理细则》同时废止。本规定由省评审办负责解释。