[Home] [Databases] [WorldLII] [Search] [Feedback] Laws of the People's Republic of China

You are here:  AsianLII >> Databases >> Laws of the People's Republic of China >> CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL CONCERNING PORT SUPPLY TO FOREIGN AND CHINESE OCEANGOING VESSELS

[Database Search] [Name Search] [Noteup] [Help]

CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL CONCERNING PORT SUPPLY TO FOREIGN AND CHINESE OCEANGOING VESSELS

    With the rapid development of China's economy and foreign trade, the
amount of foreign and Chinese oceangoing vessels entering and leaving our
ports increases with each passing day, which makes the port supply of ship's
materials and provisions an ever heavier burden. The State Council has paid a
considerable attention to this work, and has formulated explicit regulations
in this regard. However, problems of price confusion, loss of foreign exchange
and violations of the law and discipline have arisen time and again in the
work of port supply owing to the meddling of different quarters in this
service during recent years. With a view to further improving port supply, it
is hereby noticed with the consent of the State Council as follows:

    1. Ports are windows of China's opening  to  the outside world. It is of
great economic and political significance to do well the work of ship's supply
and receiption of foreign and Chinese seamen. For this reason, the people's
governments of the localities where the ports are situated and the relevant
departments of the State Council shall, proceeding from the general situation,
accomplish this work satisfactorily in harmonious cooperation through earnest
efforts.

    2. The supply of the materials required by Chinese and foreign vessels is
a foreignrelated task, which shall be properly centralized. Except the foreign
ships supply companies of the commercial system (hereinafter referred to as
the foreign ships supply companies) and the supply stations (companies) of the
China Ocean Shipping Company, none of the non-designated supply units
(including port labour services) and individuals may engage in the service of
supplying materials and provisions for Chinese and foreign ships.

    3. After several decades' build-up, the foreign ships supply companies
have laid a good foundation of manpower and material resources and accumulated
much experience in the work of supply. In future, the foreign ships supply
companies shall still function as the principal channel in supplying the
materials needed by Chinese and foreign ships at ports. In the meantime, the
foreign ships supply companies shall further improve their operation and
management, constantly raise their efficiency and enhance the quality of their
service so as to make the supply work better cater to the needs of the opening
to the outside world and the development of ocean shipping.

    4. The China Ocean Shipping Company's businesses of supplying materials
and provisions at the ports of Guangzhou, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao and
Dalian, and forwarding the same to the China Ocean Shipping Company ships in
long service overseas is beneficial to the strengthening of the enterprise's
own management and the raising of its economic benefits. The China Ocean
Shipping Company may continue to supply materials and provisions at the five
major ports and forward the same to its ships abroad, but this shall be
confined to the China Ocean Shipping Company's vessels. As to whether the
provisions supply service shall cover Lianyungang, Zhanjiang, Qinhuangdao and
other ports shall be determined by the State Planning Commission through
consultation with the departments concerned in light of the development of the
China Ocean Shipping Company's fleet.

    5. The foreign ships supply companies and supply stations (companies)
under China Ocean Shipping Company shall implement conscientiously the rules
and regulations of the State governing commodity prices,  tax revenue and
foreignexchange control,  and enhance mutual support and cooperation in their
business so as to accomplish jointly the task of supplying ships at ports. The
China Ocean Shipping Agency (PENAVICO) shall, in accordance with the relevant
provisions, render conscientious and enthusiastic services to the ships
engaged in international marine transport at ports.

    6. The people's governments in the localities where the ports are situated
shall instruct the departments concerned to formulate corresponding
port-management measures to tackle the problems existing in the material
supply in the port areas comprehensively. The control on ships operating at
ports as well as men and vehicles entering the ports shall be strengthened,
and illegal activities such as black-marketing of foreign exchange,
prostitution, whore-visiting and unlawful business operations shall be
resolutely combated and banned. Anyone that has violated the criminal laws
shall be handed over to the judicial organs for punishment.