China mulls new foreign investment law 外商投资法草案有望实现外资三法合一

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China's legislature is considering a new law governing foreign investment that will streamline existing rules and prevent the forced transfer of technology.

The new "unified law" will replace three existing laws on Chinese and foreign equity joint ventures, non-equity joint ventures and wholly foreign-owned enterprises. A draft of the proposed legislation was presented at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

Employees of Unilever, a London-based daily necessities producer, work at one of its facilities in Tianjin

When in place, the new law would bar local governments from restricting market access for foreign firms and from forcing them to transfer technology. 

This will ensure foreign investors would enjoy the same privileges as Chinese companies in most sectors except those excluded on a "negative list". US and EU officials have long complained of a lack of fair access for foreign companies in China, as well as rampant theft of intellectual property. 

"In order to further expand opening up, actively promote foreign investment, protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign investment, and promote the formation of a new pattern of comprehensive opening, the State Council has proposed a bill," the Standing Committee said is a statement about the meeting posted on the NPC website. 

The moves signal China's increased support for the economy as a bruising trade war with the US has stymied growth. 

Top policymakers on Friday pledged support with tax cuts and other policy measures including further opening the economy and better protection of intellectual property rights. 

Economic data has shown China's economy slowing this autumn, with Chinese consumer spending growing at its slowest pace in 15 years during November and factories easing up on production. 

A truck transports containers at a port in Lianyungang

Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump agreed to a 90-day tariff truce this month, as the two sides try to find a more permanent solution to the trade dispute. 

Senior officials from both countries had a phone conversation on Friday and "made new progress" on several issues including trade balance and strengthening intellectual property protection, China's commerce ministry said in a statement Sunday. 

The meetings of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, a powerful body of lawmakers headed by top legislator Li Zhanshu, run until Saturday.

外商投资法草案有望实现外资三法合一

12月23日至29日召开十三届全国人大常委会第七次会议。这次会议的37项议程中，法律案的审议占“半壁江山”。其中，外商投资法草案提交会议审议。

12月23日，外商投资法草案正式提请十三届全国人大常委会第七次会议审议，有望替代早年制定的“外资三法”成为外商投资领域的基础性法律，为新形势下进一步扩大对外开放、积极有效利用外资提供更加有力的法治保障。 

从具体内容来看，草案明确提出，保护外国投资者和外商投资企业的知识产权。鼓励基于自愿原则和商业规则开展技术合作。草案规定，外商投资过程中技术合作的条件由投资各方协商确定，行政机关及其工作人员不得利用行政手段强制转让技术。

外商投资法草案五大看点

一、保障内外资企业平等待遇。草案第九条规定，除法律、行政法规另有规定外，国家支持企业发展的各项政策同等适用于外商投资企业。外商投资企业平等参与标准化工作；国家保障外商投资企业公平参与政府采购活动。

二、全面实行准入前国民待遇加负面清单管理制度，负面清单以外按照内外资一致的原则实施管理。

三、将积极吸引外资的政策措施纳入法律。草案规定，各级人民政府及其有关部门应当按照便利、高效、透明的原则，进一步提高外商投资服务水平。地方各级人民政府及其有关部门应当严格履行向外国投资者、外商投资企业依法作出的政策承诺以及依法订立的各类合同。因国家利益、社会公共利益需要改变政策承诺或者合同约定的，应当严格依照法定权限和程序进行，并依法对外国投资者、外商投资企业因此受到的损失予以补偿。

四、进一步简化外商投资管理。除法律、行政法规另有规定外，有关主管部门应当按照与内资一致的条件和程序，审核外国投资者的许可申请。

五、明确保护外国投资者和外商投资企业的知识产权。鼓励基于自愿原则和商业规则开展技术合作。草案规定，外商投资过程中技术合作的条件由投资各方协商确定，行政机关及其工作人员不得利用行政手段强制转让技术。

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