To foster the development of international economic and trade relations, overseas enterprises can establish residential representative offices in Shanghai upon application and approval.

1. Submitting application

An overseas enterprise which is desirous of establishing a residential representative office in Shanghai may entrust an agency authorized by Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Commission to handle this business in Shanghai to submit application on its behalf for establishing a residential representative office to the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic
Relations & Trade Commission.

2. Documents required for application

The applicant shall complete "The Form for Establishing Residential Representative Office by Overseas Enterprises" and present the following documents:

(1) An application duly signed by the chairman of the board or general manager of the foreise enterprise with such details as the name of the residential representative office, names of the persons-in-charge, its scope of business, residential duration and its address, etc;

(2) A legal business certificate issued by competent authorities of the country or region where the applicant is located;

(3) A letter issued by a bank which has business relations with the applicant testifying to its financial and credit standing;

(4) Power of attorney issued by the applicant for the staff of its office and their curriculum vitae.

3. Examination and approval

The Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Commission will examine the application of overseas enterprises for setting up residential representative offices in Shanghai. If the establishment is deemed necessary the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Economic Relations & Trade Commission will issue the certificate to the applicant upon approval.

4. Registration

With the certificate of approval and all the documents referred to in section 2, the applicant can register its residential representative office with the Shanghai Administration for industry and Commerce to obtain a registration certificate as well as a representative card.