上海市人民政府


上海市文物经营管理办法
上海市人民政府


上海市人民政府令(第94号)
《上海市文物经营管理办法》已经2001年1月2日市政府第83次常务会议通过，现予发布，自2001年4月1日起施行。


市长 徐匡迪
二○○一年一月九日

（2001年1月2日市政府第83次常务会议通过，自2001年4月1日起施行）


第一条 （目的和依据）
为了加强本市文物经营的管理，保护国家历史文化遗产，根据《中华人民共和国文物保护法》（以下简称《文物保护法》）及其实施细则等法律、法规，结合本市实际情况，制定本办法。
第二条 （适用范围）
本办法适用于本市范围内文物的经营及其管理活动。
第三条 （管理部门）
上海市文物管理委员会（以下简称市文管委）负责本市文物经营的管理工作。
各级公安、海关、工商、物价、税务、商业等行政管理部门应当按照各自的职责，配合做好文物经营管理工作。
第四条 （许可制度）
本市对文物经营活动实行许可制度。
未经市文管委许可，任何单位和个人不得从事文物的经营活动。
第五条 （经营许可证）
需要从事文物经营的，应当向市文管委申领《文物经营许可证》。《文物经营许可证》分为甲、乙两类。
甲类《文物经营许可证》的经营范围为国家规定可以经营的各个时期的文物；乙类《文物经营许可证》的经营范围为国家规定可以经营的1911年以后的文物，但国家文物局确定的具有重要历史、文化、艺术价值的除外。
第六条 （文物经营条件）
申请甲类《文物经营许可证》的单位，应当具备下列条件：
（一）有3名以上取得市文管委颁发的《文物经营资格证》的从业人员，其中至少有1名是取得文博系列中级职称或者具有与文物相关专业大专以上学历的专业人员；
（二）有固定的并符合市文管委规定面积的营业场所。
申请乙类《文物经营许可证》的单位和个体工商户，应当具备下列条件：
（一）有1名以上取得市文管委颁发的《文物经营资格证》的从业人员；
（二）有固定的并符合市文管委规定面积的营业场所。
第七条 （文物交易市场的设立条件）
申请设立文物交易市场的，应当具备下列条件：
（一）申请人为企业；
（二）有固定的与交易活动相适应的经营场地；
（三）有3名以上取得市文管委颁发的《文物经营资格证》的管理人员。
第八条 （文物拍卖、典当企业的条件）
拍卖、典当的企业在向有关主管部门申请从事文物拍卖、典当前，其从业人员应当经市文管委考核，并取得《文物经营资格证》。其中，经营文物拍卖企业应当具有3名以上持有《文物经营资格证》的从业人员；经营文物典当企业应当具有1名以上持有《文物经营资格证》的从业人员
。
第九条 （申请经营文物提供的材料）
申请《文物经营许可证》时，应当提供下列材料：
（一）文物经营申请登记表，内容由市文管委规定；
（二）从业人员的资格证明；
（三）营业场所的房屋产权证明或者租赁合同备案登记证明。
第十条 （申请设立文物交易市场提供的材料）
申请设立文物交易市场时，应当提供下列材料：
（一）文物交易市场申请登记表，内容由市文管委规定；
（二）申请人的证明文件；
（三）经营场地的证明材料；
（四）管理人员的资格证明；
（五）文物交易市场的章程。
第十一条 （审批程序）
市文管委应当在接到申请材料之日起15个工作日内审批完毕。对符合条件的，颁发《文物经营许可证》或者文物交易市场批准文件；不符合条件的，书面告知申请人。
申请人凭《文物经营许可证》或者文物交易市场批准文件，向所在地区、县公安部门申领《特种行业许可证》，然后到所在地的工商行政管理部门办理登记注册，领取营业执照后方可经营。
第十二条 （变更与终止）
文物经营者变更《文物经营许可证》核定的经营范围的，应当经市文管委审核批准后，到所在地区、县公安部门和工商行政管理部门办理变更登记。
文物经营者变更名称、法定代表人、地址的，应当到所在地区、县公安部门和工商行政管理部门办理相应的变更登记，并在登记之日起30日内向市文管委备案。
文物经营者终止经营的，应当向市文管委、所在地区、县公安部门和工商行政管理部门办理注销手续，并向市文管委缴回《文物经营许可证》。
第十三条 （亮证经营）
文物经营者必须在经营场所的显著位置，悬挂《文物经营许可证》。
第十四条 （禁止行为）
文物经营者应当遵守国家和本市有关法律、法规和规章，不得经营国家明令禁止经营的文物；文物经营禁止转承包。
文物经营者应当按照《文物经营许可证》核准的经营范围从事经营活动，禁止超越范围经营。
第十五条 （文物销售要求）
文物经营者在销售文物时，应当真实提供文物的名称、年代、瑕疵等基本情况。
第十六条 （文物收购、寄售、典当的要求）
文物经营者在收购或者接受寄售、典当文物时，应当要求出售、寄售、典当者出示单位证明或者个人身份证明，并予以登记。
典当文物成为死当物品时，应当经市文管委鉴定、许可后，方可处理。
前款所称的死当物品是指，依法或者按照双方当事人约定的典当期满后，典当者既不赎当又不续当的当物。
第十七条 （交易市场要求）
文物交易市场应当建立场所内部管理制度，负责对入场经营者的管理；禁止无《文物经营许可证》的经营者进入交易场所从事文物经营活动。
第十八条 （文物拍卖要求）
拍卖人应当在发布拍卖公告日15日前，其中拍卖的文物在500件以上的，应当在发布拍卖公告日30日前，向市文管委报送《文物拍卖标的申请鉴定表》和《文物拍卖标的申请鉴定清册》，经市文管委鉴定、许可后，文物方可拍卖。
拍卖企业不得从事文物的收购、销售活动。
第十九条 （经营允许出境文物的要求）
取得甲类《文物经营许可证》的经营者，可以向税务部门申请印制文物古籍外销统一发票。销售允许出境的文物，在销售前应当经国家指定的文物出境鉴定机构鉴定、许可，并钤盖允许出境的标识后，方可销售。
销售、拍卖没有钤盖允许出境标识的文物，文物销售者或者拍卖人应当在销售或者拍卖前向购买者或者买受人告知下列内容：
（一）所购或者所拍得的文物可以或者不可以出境；
（二）可以出境的文物需要出境的，应当按有关规定向国家指定的文物出境鉴定机构办理出境鉴定、许可手续。
第二十条 （优先收购权）
国有文物收藏单位在征集文物藏品时需要行使优先收购权的，应当经市文管委审核批准。文物经营者在同等条件下应当优先供应。
第二十一条 （无馆藏价值文物的处理）
国有文物收藏单位保存的文物中，属于无馆藏价值需要处理的，应当经市文管委审核批准后，进行公布出售或者拍卖。
国有文物收藏单位对接受捐赠的文物不得擅自处理；特殊情况需要处理的，应当由受赠单位组织专家鉴定、论证后，报市文管委审核批准，但捐赠双方已有约定的除外。
第二十二条 （许可证年审）
《文物经营许可证》每年验审一次。未经年审或者年审不合格的，不得继续从事文物经营活动。
第二十三条 （处罚）
对于违反本办法规定的单位和个人，《文物保护法》及其实施细则有处罚规定的，从其规定；没有规定的，按照下列规定给予处罚：
（一）有下列行为之一的，由市文管委责令限期改正；逾期未改正的，处以2000元以上1万元以下的罚款：
1、经营者未真实提供文物的名称、年代、瑕疵等基本情况的；
2、典当的文物形成死当物品后，未经市文管委鉴定、许可，典当企业自行处理的；
3、文物经营转承包的。
（二）国有文物收藏单位未经批准处理无馆藏价值文物的，由市文管委给予警告，责令其追回处理的文物，并可处以1万元以上3万元以下的罚款；同时由其单位或者上级主管部门对主要责任人给予行政处分。
（三）文物经营者未经年审的，市文管委应当责令其限期改正，逾期不年审的或者年审不合格而继续从事文物经营活动的，由市文管委给予警告，并可处以5000元以上2万元以下的罚款。
第二十四条 （强制鉴定）
拍卖人拍卖的文物未经鉴定、许可的，市文管委可以对拍卖的文物进行强制鉴定，并在5个工作日内作出鉴定结论。
市文管委在调查或者检查过程中，收集证据时，可以对涉嫌违法经营的文物进行强制鉴定，并在5个工作日内作出鉴定结论。
第二十五条 （依法罚没财物的处理）
罚没款按规定上缴国库。依法没收的文物，经鉴定符合国家规定馆藏标准的，无偿移交国有文物收藏单位收藏；不符合国家规定馆藏标准的，由市文管委指定的拍卖企业拍卖，所得款项按规定上缴国库。
第二十六条 （复议和诉讼）
当事人对行政管理部门作出的具体行政行为不服的，可以按照《中华人民共和国行政复议法》和《中华人民共和国行政诉讼法》的有关规定，申请行政复议或者提起行政诉讼。
当事人在法定期限内不申请复议，不提起诉讼，又不履行具体行政行为的，市文管委可以依法申请人民法院强制执行。
第二十七条 （不可移动文物的适用）
不可移动文物的经营及其管理，按照国家有关规定执行。
第二十八条 （应用解释部门）
市文管委可以对本办法的具体应用问题进行解释。
第二十九条 （施行日期）
本办法自2001年4月1日起施行。1995年2月6日上海市人民政府发布的《上海市文物市场管理办法》同时废止。



2001年1月9日
The People's Republic of China


Decree of the State Council of the People's Republic of China

No. 431

Regulations on Letters and Visits, adopted at the 76th Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 5, 2005, are hereby promulgated and shall be effective as of May 1, 2005.

Premier Wen Jiabao

January 10, 2005

Regulations on Letters and Visits

(Adopted at the 76th Executive Meeting of the State Council on January 5, 2005, promulgated by Decree No. 431 of the State Council of the People's Republic of China on January 10, and effective as of May 1, 2005)

Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 These Regulations are formulated for the purposes of enhancing relations between the people's governments at all levels and the people, protecting the lawful rights and interests of letter-writers and visitors, and maintaining a good order in letter-writing and visiting.

Article 2 The term "letters and visits" in these Regulations means that citizens, legal persons or other organizations give information, make comments or suggestions or lodge complaints to the people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level through correspondence, E-mails, faxes, phone calls, visits, and so on, which are dealt with by the relevant administrative departments according to law.

A citizen, legal person or any other organization that gives information, makes comments or suggestions or lodges complaints by such means as prescribed in the preceding paragraph is defined as a letter-writer or visitor.

Article 3 The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall effectively handle letters and visits by conscientiously dealing with letters, receiving visitors, heeding people's comments, suggestions and complaints and accepting their supervision, so that the people's interests are best served.

The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall keep free-flowing channels for letter-writers and visitors and provide convenience for the letter-writers or visitors who give information, make comments or suggestions, or lodge complaints by such means as prescribed in these Regulations.

No organization or individual may retaliate against letter-writers or visitors.

Article 4 The work regarding letters and visits shall be done under the leadership of the people's governments at all levels and in adherence to the principles of territorial jurisdiction, responsibilities assumed at different levels, the department in charge being the department responsible and combination of the need to solve problems lawfully, timely and locally with persuasion.

Article 5 The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall make policy decisions in a scientific and democratic manner, perform their duties according to law and prevent contradictions and disputes at source from leading to letters and visits.

Any people's government at or above the county level shall establish a work pattern for letters and visits characterized by unified leadership, coordination among different departments, overall planning and all-round consideration, seeking both temporary and permanent solution, each assuming its own responsibilities and joining efforts with others for the common goal, and it shall resolve contradictions and disputes in a timely manner by holding joint meetings and setting up a mechanism for making investigation and coordination and handling letters and visits and a working system of supervision in this respect.

Responsible persons of the people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall read letters for important issues and give written instructions on them, receive visitors for important issues, listen to reports on the work regarding letters and visits, and study and solve overriding problems in such work.

Article 6 Any people's government at or above the county level shall set up a department for letters and visits. The relevant department of the people's government at or above the county level and the people's government of the town or township shall, according to the principles of facilitating work and creating convenience for letter-writers and visitors, respectively assign a unit responsible for the work regarding letters and visits (hereinafter referred to as the unit for letters and visits) or individuals the specific reasonability for work in this field.

The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level is the administrative department of the people's government at the corresponding level which is responsible for the work regarding letters and visits and performs the following duties:

(1) to accept the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor, transmit it to another organ, or assign another organ to handle it;

(2) to handle the letter-or-visit matter handed over by the people's government at a higher level or at the corresponding level;

(3) to coordinate efforts in handling important letter-or-visit matters;

(4) to urge and examine the handling of letter-or-visit matters;

(5) to study and analyze both letters and visits, conduct investigation and study and, in a timely manner, make suggestions on improving policies and work to the people's government at the corresponding level; and

(6) to provide guidance to other relevant departments of the people's government at the corresponding level and the departments or units for letters and visits of the people's governments at lower levels in their work regarding letters and visits.

Article 7 The people's governments at all levels shall establish and improve the responsibility system for letters and visits, and shall, in strict accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws, administrative regulations and these Regulations, investigate the individuals who are responsible for malfeasance or dereliction of duty committed in the work regarding letters and visits and circulate a notice of the matter within an appropriate scope.

The people's governments at all levels shall incorporate the achievements scored in the work regarding letters and visits into the performance assessment of public servants.

Article 8 The relevant administrative organ or unit shall give rewards to the letter-writer or visitor who, by giving information or presenting comments or suggestions in its letter or visit, has made contributions to the national economic and social development, and to the improvement of the work of State organs and the protection of public interests.

The relevant administrative organ shall give rewards to the unit or individual that has scored outstanding achievements in the work regarding letters and visits.

Chapter II Channels for Letters and Visits

Article 9 The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall make known to the public such matters as the correspondence and E-mail addresses, telephone numbers for complaints, time and places for receiving letters and visitors, methods of inquiring about the progress and results of the letter-or-visit matters handled.

The people's governments at all levels and the relevant departments of the people's governments at or above the county level shall, at the places for receiving letters and visitors or at the websites, make known to the public the laws, regulations and rules, the procedures for handling letter-or-visit matters and other matters concerning provision of convenience to letter-writers and visitors.

Article 10 The people's governments at the level of a city divided into districts and those at the county level and their relevant departments and the people's governments of towns or townships shall establish the system of reception day on which the responsible persons of administrative organs read letters and receive visitors, and coordinate efforts in handling letter-or-visit matters. Letter-writers and visitors can report letter-or-visit matters face to face to the responsible persons of the administrative organs at the publicized reception place on the publicized reception day.

Responsible persons of the people's government at or above the county level and of the relevant departments of the said government or the individuals designated by them may go to the places where the letter-writers or visitors live to talk to them face to face and exchange views with them with regard to the overriding problems they have reported.

Article 11 The department for letters and visits of the State shall, by making full use of the existing network resources for governmental affairs information, establish a national information system for letters and visits, in order to provide convenience for letter-writers and visitors to present letter-or-visit matters and inquire about the handling of the letters and visits locally.

The local people's government at or above the county level shall, by making full use of the existing network resources for governmental affairs information, establish or designate the information system for letters and visits within its administrative areas and connect its information system for letters and visits with those of the people's governments at higher levels, their relevant departments and the people's governments at lower levels.

Article 12 The department for letters and visits or any other relevant departments of the people's government at or above the county level shall, in a timely manner, input the complaint lodged by a letter-writer or visitor into the information system for letters and visits. The letter-writer or visitor may, on the strength of the complaint acceptance certificate issued by the administrative organ, go to the department for letters and visits or the reception place of the relevant department of the local people's government to inquire about the handling of the complaint. The specific measures and procedures therefor shall respectively be formulated by the people's government of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government.

Article 13 In light of the actual needs in the work regarding letters and visits, the people's governments at the level of a city divided into districts and those at the county level may establish a working mechanism in which the government plays the leading role and all sectors of society take part and which facilitates rapid settlement of disputes.

The departments and units for letters and visits shall organize the relevant public organizations, legal aid agencies, professionals, volunteers and others to joint efforts in handling complaints lodged by letter-writers and visitors in a lawful, timely and reasonable way through advice, education, consultation, mediation, hearing, or by other means.

Chapter III Presenting Letter-or-visit Matters

Article 14 Where a letter-writer or visitor gives information or makes comments or suggestions on the performance of duties by the following organizations or individuals, or is not satisfied with the performance of duties by the following organizations or individuals, it may present letter-or-visit matters to the relevant administrative organs:

(1) administrative organs or their staff members;

(2) organizations that are authorized by laws or regulations to perform the functions of administration of public affairs, or their staff members;

(3) enterprises or institutions providing public service, or their staff members;

(4) individuals in public organizations or other enterprises or institutions who are appointed or dispatched by administrative organs of the State; and

(5) villagers' committees, residents' committees or their members.

With regard to the complaints that shall be handled according to law through litigation, arbitration, administrative reconsideration or other statutory means, the letter-writer or visitor shall present them to the relevant organs according to the procedures as provided for by the relevant laws and administrative regulations.

Article 15 With regard to a letter-or-visit matter that falls within the scope of the functions and powers of the people's congresses at all levels, the standing committee of the people's congress at or above the county level, the people's court or the people's procuratorate, the letter-writer or visitor shall present it to the people's congress, its standing committee, people's court or people's procuratorate respectively and abide by the provisions of Articles 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 of these Regulations.

Article 16 Where a letter-writer or visitor intends to present a letter-or-visit matter through visit, it shall present the letter-or-visit matter to the organ at the corresponding level or the next higher level that, according to law, has the power to handle the letter-or-visit matter. If a letter-or-visit matter has been accepted or is in the process of being handled and the letter-writer or visitor, before the expiration of the time limit, presents the same letter-or-visit matter to the organ at the higher level of the organ that has accepted and is handling the letter-or-visit matter, the former shall not accept the letter-or-visit matter.

Article 17 A letter-writer or visitor shall, in general, present a letter-or-visit matter through correspondence, E-mail, fax or any other written form. Where it lodges a complaint, it shall, in addition, state clearly its name (title), address, requests, the facts and reasons.

With regard to the oral presentation of a complaint, the relevant organ shall record the name (title) and address of the letter-writer or visitor, its requests, the facts and reasons.

Article 18 Where a letter-writer or visitor who intends to present a letter-or-visit matter through visit, it shall go to the reception place established or designated by the organ concerned.

Where two or more letter-writers or visitors intend to present the same letter-or-visit matter through visit, they shall choose representatives, and the number of representatives shall not exceed five.

Article 19 A letter-writer or visitor shall be objective in presenting letter-or-visit matters, the letter-or-visit matters presented shall be true to facts, and it shall be responsible for the truthfulness of the contents of the materials it provides. It shall not make up stories, distort facts, frame or bring a false charge against others.

Article 20 Letter-writers and visitors shall, in the course of writing letters or making visits, abide by laws and regulations, shall not harm the interests of the State, society or the collective or infringe upon the lawful rights of other citizens, shall conscientiously maintain public order and the order in handling letters and visits, and shall not commit any of the following acts:

(1) illegally assembling around offices of State organs or public places, encircling and attacking State organs, intercepting official vehicles, or jamming and obstructing traffic;

(2) carrying dangerous articles or tools under control;

(3) humiliating, beating up or threatening functionaries of State organs or illegally restricting other people's freedom of the individual;

(4) staying and making trouble at the reception places for letters and visits, or leaving the individuals who are unable to look after themselves at such places;

(5) inciting, colluding with, coercing or enticing with money or things of value others to write letters or make visits, or manipulating from behind the scenes others into doing so, or taking advantage of letters and visits to accumulate wealth; or

(6) committing other acts that disrupt public order or impair national or public security.

Chapter IV Accepting Letter-or-visit Matters

Article 21 The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall, upon receiving a letter or visit, register the letter-or-visit matter presented and handle it on the merits of each case within 15 days in the following ways:

(1) With regard to a letter-or-visit matter specified in Article 15 of these Regulations, notify the letter-writer or visitor that it presents such matter to the people's congresses or its standing committee, people's court or people's procuratorate respectively; and reject the matter which has been or shall be handled according to law through litigation, arbitration, administrative reconsideration or any other statutory means, while notifying the letter-writer or visitor that it presents the matter to the organ concerned according to the procedures as provided for by the relevant laws or administrative regulations.

(2) With regard to a letter-or-visit matter which shall be handled and decided on by the people's government at the corresponding level or the department thereof according to their statutory functions and duties, transfer such matter to the administrative organ which has the power to handle it; or make timely suggestions and submit such matter to the people's government at the corresponding level for decision in case of any important or urgent matter.

(3) With regard to a letter-or-visit matter which involves an administrative organ at a lower level or its staff members, directly transfer such matter to the administrative organ which has the power to handle it according to the principles of territorial jurisdiction, responsibilities assumed at different levels, and the department in charge being the department responsible, and send a copy of the matter to the department or unit for letters and visits of the people's government at the next lower level.

The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall notify such department or unit of the people's government at the next lower level of the matter transferred regularly, and the department or unit for letters and visits of the people's government at a lower level shall report to such department of the people's government at the next higher level about the handling of the transferred matter regularly.

(4) With regard to any important matter among the letter-or-visit matters transferred and feedback on the results of the handling of which is required, send it directly to the administrative organ which has the power to handle it, and ask the organ to feed back the results within the designated time limit for handling it and submit reports on the results of the handling.

Within 15 days from the date the letter-or-visit matter is transferred or assigned thereto according to the provisions of Items (2) to (4) of the preceding paragraph, the administrative organ concerned shall decide whether to accept the matter and notify the letter-writer or visitor of the decision in writing, and inform the department or unit for letters and visits of its decision as required.

Article 22 With regard to a letter-or-visit matter which is directly presented to the administrative organ other than the departments or unit for letters and visits of the people's governments at different levels by a letter-writer or visitor according to the provisions of these Regulations, the administrative organ concerned shall register such matter. A letter-or-visit matter that conforms to the provisions of the first paragraph of Article 14 of these Regulations and falls within the scope of the statutory functions and powers of the said organ shall be accepted by it; and it shall not shift the responsibility onto other organs, take a perfunctory attitude or delay handling the matter. If a letter-or-visit matter does not fall within the scope of the functions and powers of the said organ, it shall notify the letter-writer or visitor that it presents the matter to the organ which has the power to handle the matter.

Where, upon receiving a letter-or-visit matter, the administrative organ concerned can, on the spot, decide whether to accept it, the said organ shall do so in writing. If such decision can not be made on the spot, the said organ shall, within 15 days from the date of receipt of the matter, notify the letter-writer or visitor in writing, unless the name (title) or address of the letter-writer or visitor is unclear.

Relevant administrative organs shall notify each other of the letter-or-visit matters they have accepted.

Article 23 The administrative organ and its staff members shall not divulge or transmit the materials of accusation or exposure or the relevant information provided by a letter-writer or visitor to the individual or department accused or exposed.

Article 24 Where a letter-or-visit matter involves two or more administrative organs, it shall be handled by them through consultation. If disagreement arises in handling of the matter, their common administrative organ at the next higher level shall decide on which organ handles the matter.

Article 25 Where an administrative organ is split up, merges with another or is dissolved, the letter-or-visit matters on which it shall make a decision shall be handled by the administrative organ which continues to perform its functions and powers. If the functions and duties are unclear, the people's government at the corresponding level or the organ designated by such government shall handle the matter.

Article 26 When a citizen, legal person or any other organization discovers an important or urgent letter-or-visit matter or information which may exert an influence on society, it may report the matter to the relevant administrative organ nearby. After receiving such report, the local people's governments at different levels shall immediately report to the people's government at the next higher level and, if necessary, circulate a notice of such matter among the competent departments. After receiving the report, the relevant department of the local people's government at or above the county level shall immediately report to the people's government at the corresponding level and to the competent department at the next higher level and, if necessary, circulate a notice of such matter among the competent departments. After receiving the report, the relevant department of the State Council shall immediately report to the State Council and, if necessary, circulate a notice among the competent departments.

The administrative organ shall not conceal, give a false report about or delay reporting any important or urgent letter-or-visit matter and information or incite others to do so.

Article 27 With regard to important or urgent letter-or-visit matters and information which may exert an influence on society, the administrative organ concerned shall, within the scope of its functions and duties and according to law, take timely measures to prevent the occurrence and extension of adverse influence.

Chapter V Handling, and Supervising and Urging the Handling of Letter-or-visit Matters

Article 28 In handling the letter-or-visit matters presented by a letter-writer or visitor, the administrative organ and its staff members shall perform their duties whole-heartedly, handle the matters impartially, ascertain the facts, clearly distinguish the responsibilities, publicize the legal system, conduct persuasion and handle the matter properly in a timely manner, and they shall not shift the responsibility onto others, take a perfunctory attitude or delay handling the matters.

Article 29 Where the information given by a letter-writer or visitor or the comments or suggestions made thereby are beneficial to improvement of the work of the administrative organ and to promotion of national economic and social development, the relevant administrative organ shall conscientiously study, evaluate and unhesitatingly accept them.

Article 30 The staff member of an administrative organ who has a direct interest in the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor or with the letter-writer or visitor shall recuse himself.

Article 31 In handling the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor, the administrative organ which has the power to handle such matter shall heed the facts and reasons stated by the letter-writer or visitor. When necessary, it may ask the letter-writer or visitor, or the organization or individual concerned to give an explanation; and where further verification is needed, it may conduct investigation among other organizations or individuals.

A hearing may be held for important, complicated or difficult letter-or-visit matters, and the hearing shall be open to the public to ascertain the facts and clearly distinguish the responsibilities through inquiry, debate, appraisal or judgment by a collegiate group. The people's government of a province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Government shall respectively prescribe the scope of hearings, presiding officer, participants, procedures and other things.

Article 32 Through investigation and verification, the administrative organ which has the power to handle the letter-or-visit matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor shall make the following decisions according to the relevant laws, regulations, rules and other provisions and give a written reply to the letter-writer or visitor:

(1) to support the request if it is based on clear facts and conforms to laws, regulations, rules and other provisions;

(2) to make an ample explanation to the letter-writer or visitor if the request is reasonable but lacks legal basis; or

(3) not to support the request if it is not based on facts or does not conform to laws, regulations, rules or other provisions.

Where the administrative organ which has the power to handle the matter decides to support the request according to the provisions of Item (1) of the preceding paragraph, it shall urge the relevant organs or units to execute its decision.

Article 33 The matter presented by a letter-writer or visitor shall be handled within 60 days from the date it is accepted. If the matter is complicated, the time limit for handling it may be extended appropriately upon the approval by the responsible person of the administrative organ concerned, but the period extended shall not exceed 30 days, and the letter-writer or visitor shall be notified of the reasons for such extension. Where laws or administrative regulations provide otherwise, the provisions therein shall prevail.

Article 34 Where a letter-writer or visitor is not satisfied with the decision made by an administrative organ on the handling of the letter-or-visit matter, it may, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written reply, request the administrative organ at the next higher level of the original administrative organ that has handled the matter to reexamine the matter. The administrative organ which has received the request for reexamination shall, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the request, make a decision after reexamination and give a written reply.

Article 35 Where a letter-writer or visitor is not satisfied with the decision made after reexamination, it may, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the written reply, request for review from the administrative organ at the next higher level of the reexamination organ. The administrative organ which has received the request for review shall, within 30 days from the date of receipt of the request, make a decision after review.

The review organ may, according to the second paragraph of Article 31 of these Regulations, hold a hearing, and the review decision made through hearing may be made known to the public according to law. The time needed for hearing shall not be calculated in the time limit prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

Where the letter-writer or visitor is not satisfied with the review decision and continues to lodge a complaint on the basis of the same facts and reasons, the departments or units for letters and visits of the people's governments at all levels and other administrative organs shall no longer accept the compliant.

Article 36 Where the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level finds that a relevant administrative organ comes under any of the following circumstances, it shall, without delay, urge such organ to handle the matter concerned and suggest that the said organ make improvement,:

(1) without justifiable reasons, failing to handle the letter-or-visit matter within the prescribed time limit;

(2) failing to give feedback on the results of the handling of the letter-or-visit matter as required;

(3) failing to handle the letter-or-visit matter according to the prescribed procedures;

(4) shifting the responsibility for handling the matter onto other departments, taking a perfunctory attitude, or delaying handling the letter-or-visit matter;

(5) failing to execute the decision on the matter; or

(6) needing urging for other reasons.

Upon receiving the suggestions for improvements, the administrative organ shall, within 30 days, give a feedback in writing on the improvements it has made. If the organ refuses to accept the suggestions, it shall explain the reasons.

Article 37 With regard to any policy problem raised by a letter-writer or visitor, the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall report it to the people's government at the corresponding level in a timely manner and make suggestions as to how to improve the policy and solve the problem.

Article 38 With regard to the staff members of an administrative organ who, in the work regarding letters and visits, cause serious consequences by shifting their responsibilities onto others, taking a perfunctory attitude, delaying handling of matters or practicing fraud, the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level may make suggestions to the administrative organ concerned to give them administrative sanctions.

Article 39 The department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level shall, regularly, submit analytical reports on letters and visits to the people's government at the corresponding level with regard to the following matters:

(1) statistical data on the letter-or-visit matters accepted, the areas covered by the letter-or-visit matters, and the organs against which a relatively larger number of complaints are lodged;

(2) information about the matters which are transferred for handling or the handling of which is urged, and the suggestions about improvement accepted by different departments; and

(3) the policy suggestions made and accepted.

Chapter VI Legal Liability

Article 40 Where one of the following circumstances leads to the presentation of a letter-or-visit matter, which causes serious consequences, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to the provisions of the relevant laws or administrative regulations; if the act constitutes a crime, they shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law:

(1) The lawful rights and interests of a letter-writer or visitor are infringed upon due to overstepping or abuse of power;

(2) An administrative organ infringes upon the lawful rights and interests of a letter-writer or visitor by doing nothing about what it shall do;

(3) The lawful rights and interests of a letter-writer or visitor is infringed upon due to incorrect application of laws or regulations or violation of statutory procedures; or

(4) The execution of the decision in support of the request of a letter-writer or visitor made by the administrative organ which has the power to handle the matter presented is refused.

Article 41 Where the department for letters and visits of the people's government at or above the county level fails to register the letter-or-visit matter, transfer the matter to another organ or assign another organ to handle the matter as required by regulations, or fails to perform the duties of supervising and urging the handling of the matter as it shall have done, the administrative organ at higher levels shall order it to make corrections; if serious consequences are caused, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law.

Article 42 Where the administrative organ responsible for accepting letter-or-visit matters, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, comes under any of the following circumstances in accepting a letter-or-visit matter, the administrative organ at a higher level shall order it to make corrections; if serious consequences are caused, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law:

(1) failing to register the letter-or-visit matter it has received, as is required by regulations;

(2) refusing to accept the letter-or-visit matter which falls within the scope of its statutory functions and powers; or

(3) failing to inform in writing within the specified time limit the letter-writer or visitor of whether the letter-or-visit matter is accepted.

Article 43 Where the administrative organ which has the power to handle letter-or-visit matters, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, commits any of the following acts in handling a letter-or-visit matter, the administrative organ at a higher level shall order it to make corrections; if serious consequences are caused, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law:

(1) shifting the responsibility onto another organ, taking a perfunctory attitude, or delaying handling the letter-or-visit matter, or failing to wind up the handling of the letter-or-visit matter within the statutory time limit; or

(2) failing to support the request which is based on clear facts and conforms to relevant laws, regulations, rules and other provisions.

Article 44 Where the staff member of an administrative organ, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, divulges or transmits the materials of accusation or exposure and relevant information provided by a letter-writer or visitor to the individual or unit accused or exposed, he shall be given an administrative sanction according to law.

Where the staff member of an administrative organ, in handling a letter-or-visit matter , is rude in his style of work, thus intensifying contradictions and causing serious consequences, he shall be given an administrative sanction according to law.

Article 45 Where an administrative organ and its staff members, in violation of the provisions of Article 26 of these Regulations, conceal, make a false report of or delay reporting the important or urgent letter-or-visit matters or informatinn which may exert an influence on society, or incite another individual to do so, thus causing serious consequences, the individual directly in charge and the other individuals directly responsible therefor shall be given an administrative sanction according to law; if the act constitutes a crime, they shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law.

Article 46 Whoever retaliates against a letter-writer or visitor, thus constituting a crime, shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law; if the act is not serious enough to constitute a crime, he shall be given an administrative or disciplinary sanction according to law.

Article 47 Where a letter-writer or visitor violates the provisions of Article 18 or 20 of these Regulations, the staff member of the State organ concerned shall dissuade, criticize or educate him.

If such dissuasion, criticism or education fails, the public security organ shall warn or admonish the letter-writer or visitor or stop its act. If the letter-writer or visitor violates the laws or administrative regulations on assemblies, processions and demonstrations or if its act constitutes a violation of public security administration, the public security organ shall, according to law, take necessary measures to deal with the case on the spot and impose thereupon an administrative penalty for public security. If the act constitutes a crime, it shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law.

Article 48 Where a letter-writer or visitor makes up a story or distorts facts in an attempt to frame or bring a false charge against another individual, which constitutes a crime, he shall be investigated for criminal liability according to law. If the act is not serious enough to constitute a crime, the public security organ shall impose thereupon an administrative penalty for public security according to law.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Article 49 Social organizations, enterprises and institutions shall handle letters and visits with reference to these Regulations.

Article 50 The letter-or-visit matters presented by foreigners, stateless individuals or foreign organizations shall be handled with reference to these Regulations.

Article 51 These Regulations shall be effective as of May 1, 2005. The Regulations on Letters and Calls promulgated by the State Council on October 28, 1995 shall be repealed simultaneously.