China’s Industrial Subsidies Study:

High Technology

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group

Terence P. Stewart, Esq.

Stewart and Stewart

VOLUME 1: Report

April 2007
Acknowledgement 

Exhibit 77 (U.S.-China trade data on Advanced Technology Products) was 

prepared by Charles W. McMillion, Ph.D. of Trade Lawyers Advisory 

Group Associate Member MBG Information Services. 

Copyright © 2007 by The Trade Lawyers Advisory Group LLC 

This project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Small Business Administration 

(SBA). SBA’s funding should not be construed as an endorsement of any 

products, opinions or services. All SBA-funded projects are extended to the public 

on a nondiscriminatory basis. 
i

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page

I. CHINESE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY: AN 

OVERVIEW......................................................................................................................... 1

A. Central Government ................................................................................................. 4

1. Major programs and development focus.......................................................... 4

2. Types of support .............................................................................................. 7

B. Local Government .................................................................................................... 11

II. CHINESE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO THE ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION 

INDUSTRY........................................................................................................................... 14

A. Central Government.................................................................................................. 14

1. Major programs and development focus.......................................................... 14

2. Types of support .............................................................................................. 16

a. Government grants.................................................................................. 16

b. Tax benefits............................................................................................. 20

c. Others: export promotion, financing support and government 

procurement............................................................................................ 22

B. Local Government .................................................................................................... 24

C. Government Support to Chinese Companies in the Electronics and 

Information Industry ................................................................................................. 26

III. CHINA’S SUBSIDIES RELEVANT TO THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY NOTIFIED BY 

CHINA TO THE WTO......................................................................................................... 33

IV. CONCERNS OF WTO MEMBERS ON CHINA’S SUBSIDIES TO THE HIGH-TECH 

INDUSTRY........................................................................................................................... 41

A. Subsidies Raised at the Transitional Review of China’s WTO Compliance............ 41

B. Subsidies Raised in the Request for Information Prior to China’s Subsidies 

Notification ............................................................................................................... 48

C. Subsidies Raised in the Submissions of Follow-Up Questions in Response 

to China’s Subsidies Notification ............................................................................. 50

D. The U.S. Request for Dispute Settlement Consultation with China over 

Prohibited Subsidies.................................................................................................. 55
ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page

V. VIEWPOINTS OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRIAL 

ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ON CHINA’S SUBSIDIES TO 

THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY .............................................................................................. 61

VI. OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE U.S. HIGH-TECH SECTOR TO ADDRESS 

SUBSIDIES BEING PROVIDED IN CHINA ............................................................................ 65

VII. REVIEW OF HIGH-TECH TRADE FLOWS BETWEEN THE US AND CHINA......................... 68
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 1 

I. CHINESE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY: AN OVERVIEW

Since 1995, when the Chinese government put forward the strategy of “revitalizing the 

country through science and education” (Ke Jiao Xing Guo), the enhancement of scientific and 

technological innovation capacity has been a priority on the national development agenda. The 

past decade has witnessed a rapid expansion of research and development (R&D) efforts and 

government spending on science and technology (S&T) activities in China. The ratio of R&D 

expenditure to GDP went up from 0.6% in 1996 to 1.4% in 2006, with the actual expenditure 

growing over six fold from RMB 40.45 billion yuan to RMB 300 billion yuan.1 In terms of sources 

of funds, in 2005, 26.3% of the R&D expenditure came from government, 67% from businesses, 

and 0.9% from abroad.2 The total government fiscal spending on S&T activities increased from 

RMB 30.3 billion yuan in 1996 to RMB 133.5 billion yuan in 2005, with an average annual growth 

of 14% and 20%, respectively, at the central and local level.3 See the charts on the following page. 

As the government and businesses devote considerable resources to the development of 

science and technology, China’s high-tech industry has enjoyed vigorous growth. During the tenth 

five-year period (2001-2005), the total output value of the high-tech industry grew at an average 

rate of 27%, 3.3% higher than that of the manufacturing industry as a whole.4

 The high-tech 

 

1

 China Science and Technology Statistics (2006): R&D Expenditure, available at http://www.sts.org.cn/ 

sjkl/kjtjdt/data2006/2006-1.htm (see Exhibit-53); R&D Expenditure Reached 300 Billion Yuan in 2006, Xinhua 

News (Jan 29, 2007), available at http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune2007-01/29/content_5671044.htm (see

Exhibit-54). 

2

 Id. 

3

 China Science and Technology Statistics (2006): Government S&T Appropriation, available at 

http://www.sts.org.cn/sjkl/kjtjdt/data2006/2006-2.htm (see Exhibit-55). 4

 Analysis of 2005 Development of China’s High-Tech Industry, available at http://www.sts.org.cn/tjbg/gjscy/ 

documents/2007/070125.htm (see Exhibit-56). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 2 

Growth of R&D Expenditure in China

40.45

50.92 55.11

67.89

89.57

104.25

128.76

153.96

196.63

245

300

1.40%

1.34%

1.23%

1.13%

1.07%

0.95%

0.90%

0.83%

0.69%

0.64%

0.60%

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

in billion yuan

0.00%

0.20%

0.40%

0.60%

0.80%

1.00%

1.20%

1.40%

1.60%

R&D expenditure

% in GDP

Source: China Science and Technology Statistics (2006): R&D Expenditure, available at http://www.sts. 

org.cn/sjkl/kjtjdt/data2006/2006-1.htm; R&D Expenditure Reached 300 Billion Yuan in 2006, 

Xinhua News (Jan 29, 2007), available at http://news.xinhuanet.com/fortune/2007-01/29/ 

content_5671044.htm. 

Growth of Government Spending on 

Science and Technology Activities in China

21.6

24.3

27.5 29

35.6 35

44.4

51.1

60.9

69.2

80.8

8.7

10.6

13.4 14.9

18.8

22.6

25.9

30.5

33.6

40.3

52.7

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

in billion yuan

Central government

Local government

Source: China Science and Technology Statistics (2006): Government S&T Appropriation available at 

http://www.sts.org.cn/sjkl/kjtjdt/data2006/2006-2.htm. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 3 

output value reached RMB 3.44 trillion yuan in 2005, which ranked 3rd in the world, and is 

expected to exceed 10 trillion yuan in 2010.5

 The value added by the high-tech industry to the 

manufacturing sector and GDP has increased steadily, rising from 8.1% of manufacturing and 

2.1% of GDP in 1998 to 10.9% and 4% in 2004, respectively.6

 China’s exports of high-tech 

products also maintained a strong growth. In 2005, exports amounted to USD $218.3 billion, or 

28.6% of China’s total exports; the 2001 figure was USD $46.5 billion and 17.5%.7 In terms of 

product composition of the 2005 exports, computers and telecommunications equipment 

constituted the largest category, accounting for 81% of the total high-tech exports, followed by 

electronics (11%), opto-electronics (3%) and life science technologies (2%).8

Growth of Value Added of the High-tech Industry in China

4.0%

10.9%

3.7%

3.1%

2.8% 2.8%

2.4% 2.1%

10.5%

9.9%

9.5% 9.3%

8.7%

8.1%

0.0%

2.0%

4.0%

6.0%

8.0%

10.0%

12.0%

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004

% in value added of manufacturing

% in GDP

Source: Analysis of 2005 Development of China’s High-Tech Industry available at 

http://www.sts.org.cn/tjbg/gjscy/documents/2007/070125.htm. 

 

5

 Id. 

6

 China High-Tech Industry Statistics (2006): High-Tech Industry, available at http://www.sts.org.cn/sjkl/ 

gjscy/data2006/2006-1.htm (see Exhibit-57). 

7

 China Science and Technology Statistics (2006): High Technology, available at http://www.sts.org.cn/ 

sjkl/kjtjdt/data2006/2006-5.htm (see Exhibit-58). 

8

 Id. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 4 

Expansion of China's High-tech Exports

37.04

46.45

67.86

110.32

165.36

218.25

28.60% 27.90%

25.20%

20.80%

17.50%

14.90%

0

50

100

150

200

250

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005

in billion $

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

High-tech exports

% in total exports

Source: China Science and Technology Statistics (2006): High Technology available at 

http://www.sts.org.cn/sjkl/kjtjdt/data2006/2006-5.htm. 

In the 11th five-year period (2006-2010) and over a longer time horizon, China will pursue 

the path of innovation, and, as emphasized by President Hu Jintao at China’s Fourth National 

Conference on Science and Technology in 2006, government will play a leading role in this 

endeavor. Various government support programs put in place or under deliberation will reinforce 

the growth momentum in China’s high-tech industry. 

A. Central Government 

1. Major programs and development focus 

The 11th Five-Year (2006-2010) Guideline for National Economic and Social Development 

(see Exhibit-1) formulated by the central government set out the guiding principles of China’s 

continued modernization drive, one of which is to “improve the capability of independent 

innovation” to pursue a balanced and sustainable social and economic development. Under this 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 5 

principle, one of the development goals is to optimize the industrial structure, and more 

specifically, to strengthen the capacity of independent innovation, to increase the ratio of R&D 

expenditure to GDP to 2%, and to foster a group of globally-competitive companies with 

intellectual property (IP) ownership and well-known brands. In the high-tech sector, four 

industries are identified as the focus of development, namely, (1) electronics and information 

technology manufacturing, (2) biotechnology; (3) aviation and space; and (4) new materials. The 

blueprint also lays out major programs in the high-tech industry China is set to undertake as 

reviewed below: 

y Integrated circuits and software: establishing integrated circuits research and 

development centers, industrializing the technology for 90-nanometer and smaller 

integrated circuits, and developing basic software, middleware, large key applied 

software and integrated systems. 

y New-generation network: building next-generation Internet demonstration projects, 

a nationwide digital TV network and mobile communication demonstration 

networks with independent intellectual property rights. 

y Advanced computing: making breakthrough in technology for petaflop computer 

systems, building grid-based advanced computing platforms, and commercializing 

the production of teraflop computers. 

y Biomedicine: Building a number of demonstration projects for commercial 

production of vaccines for major diseases and gene-modified medicines, improving 

the modern traditional Chinese medicine system, and enhancing the capability for 

new medicine invention and production. 

y Civil aircraft: developing planes for trunk and feeder lines, general-purpose planes 

and helicopters, as well as advanced engines. 

y Satellite application: developing new meteorological, oceanographic, resource and 

telecommunication satellites, and poison- and pollution-free thrust augmented 

carrier rockets; building earth observation and navigation positioning satellite 

systems and facilities and application demonstration projects for civil satellite 

ground systems. 

y New materials: building demonstration projects for commercial production of 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 6 

high-performance new materials critically needed in information, biotechnology 

and aerospace industries. 

The Guideline for the National Medium- and Long-Term Science and Technology 

Development Plan (2006-2020) (see Exhibit-2) issued by the State Council echoes the principles 

of the 11th Five-Year Guideline and charts a course with more details for the national development 

of science and technology. It identifies innovation as a national priority strategy and sets the goal 

of advancing China into the rank of innovative countries by 2020. According to the Guideline, by 

2020, China will invest more than 2.5% of its GDP in R&D, with the contribution of S&T to 

economic development exceeding 60% and with dependence on foreign technologies reduced to 

below 30%. Meanwhile, the annual number of indigenous patents granted and Science Citation 

Index papers are expected to rank among the top five in the world. The Guideline lists eleven 

priority sectors for technological development, such as information, manufacturing and agriculture, 

with a view to resolving pressing problems which are holding back the country’s economic and 

social development. The Guideline also calls for the development of eight frontier technologies, 

i.e., biotechnology, information technology, new materials technology, advanced manufacturing 

technology, advanced energy technology, marine technology, laser technology and aerospace 

technology. 

The 11th Five-Year Plan on Promoting Trade through Science and Technology (see

Exhibit-3), intended to bolster China’s efforts to optimize its export structure and move up the 

value chain, is another manifestation of China’s commitment to innovation. The Plan puts forward 

the following primary objectives to advance the implementation of the strategy of “promoting 

trade through science and technology” (Ke Ji Xing Mao) that was initiated in 1999 by the Ministry 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 7 

of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation (now known as the Ministry of Commerce or 

MOFCOM): 

y Expand exports of high-tech products: by 2010, high tech products to account for 

35% in the total exports; software exports to exceed USD $10 billion; 

pharmaceutical exports to exceed USD $20 billion. 

y Optimize the export system of high-tech products: by 2010, to foster 100 export 

innovation bases in high-tech industries such as information, pharmaceutical, 

software, new materials, aerospace and aviation; to foster 100 large global 

companies with annual high-tech exports of above USD $1 billion; to foster 1000 

large companies with annual high-tech exports of above USD $100 million. 

y Strengthen the capability of independent innovation: by 2010, exports of high-tech 

products with IP ownership and brand names to account for 15% of the total 

exports of high-tech products; to bring about 160 key export brand names in the 

high-tech industry. 

2. Types of support 

Under the framework of the Guideline for the National Medium- and Long-Term Science 

and Technology Development Plan (2006-2020), the Chinese government will implement a series 

of preferential policies to stimulate innovation among businesses. Chief among them are: 

y Tax policies: implement consumption-based VAT; further implement various 

preferential tax policies to promote innovation, accelerate the transformation of 

scientific and technological achievements, and upgrade equipment; intensify the 

magnitude of tax incentives such as tax deduction of R&D expenditure; provide tax 

relief to new- and high-tech companies; allow the acceleration of depreciation of 

R&D equipments; accord preferential tax treatment to the purchase of advanced 

scientific research equipment; facilitate the establishment of overseas R&D centers, 

giving support in foreign exchange and financing; formulate preferential tax 

policies to nurture technological innovation of small- and medium-sized 

companies. 

y Government procurement: give preference to domestically-produced high-tech 

equipment and products with IP ownership. 

y Banking and financing policies: extend preferential loans to key high-tech 

industrialization projects; encourage venture capital investment with government 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 8 

funding, policy loans and commercial loans; create a favorable environment for 

companies to be listed overseas. 

Pursuant to the 11th Five-Year Plan on Promoting Trade through Science and Technology, 

companies exporting high-tech products with IP ownership and brand names will enjoy 

preferential treatment related to tax, credit, insurance and international settlement, special 

government funding support in R&D, as well as expedited Customs clearance services. The Plan 

also calls for greater efforts to encourage foreign investors to establish R&D centers, industrialize 

their research achievements, and transfer technologies to Chinese state-owned and private 

companies. 

In accordance with government development guidelines, high-tech companies benefit from 

numerous special funds and fiscal appropriation programs administered by different government 

agencies. For example, high-tech companies are eligible for government grants and loan interest 

subsidies if their projects are listed among the national high-tech development projects with the 

approval of the State Development and Reform Commission (SDRC). A company can receive up 

to RMB 200 million yuan in grants for a project. This practice is administered under the 

Provisional Measures on the Management of Projects in the National High-Tech Industry (see

Exhibit-4). 

The following table lists selected government funds and fiscal appropriation programs 

available to the high-tech industry: 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 9 

No Title Agency in Charge From Types of Fund 

1 National High-Tech Industry 

Development Program 

State Development and 

Reform Commission 1999 Grants, loan interest subsidies 

2 Program on Export Promotion through 

Science and Technology 

Ministry of Science and 

Technology, Ministry of 

Commerce 

1999 

Grants, export 

guarantee, support in 

export insurance 

3 Development Fund for the Electronics 

and Information Industry 

Ministry of Finance, 

Ministry of Information 

Industry 

1986 

Grants, loan interest 

subsidies, capital 

investment 

4 

Special Fund for Research and 

Development of the Integrated 

Circuits Industry 

Ministry of Finance, 

Ministry of Information 

Industry 

2005 Grants, loan interest 

subsidies 

5 

Technological Innovation Fund for the 

Technological Small- and 

Medium-Sized Enterprises 

Ministry of Science and 

Technology 1999 Grants, loan interest subsidies 

6 Special Development Fund for Smalland Medium-Sized Enterprises 

Ministry of Science and 

Technology 2005 Grants, loan interest subsidies 

7 Special Fund for Foreign Economic 

and Technological Cooperation 

Ministry of Finance, 

Ministry of Commerce 2005 Grants, loan interest subsidies 

8 High-Tech Research and 

Development Program - 863 Plan 

Ministry of Science and 

Technology 1986 Fiscal appropriation 

9 National Science and Technology 

Breaking-through Program 

Ministry of Science and 

Technology 1982 Fiscal appropriation 

10 National Key New Products Program Ministry of Science and 

Technology 1988 Fiscal appropriation 

The Chinese government has also been providing myriad tax incentives to high-tech 

companies. Pursuant to the 1994 Circular of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration 

of Taxation on Several Preferential Corporate Income Tax Policies (see Exhibit-6), Chinese 

domestic companies recognized as high- or new-technology companies established in the State 

high- or new-technology industrial development zones enjoy a reduced income tax rate of 15%, 

and are exempt from the income tax during the first two years of production.9

 Likewise, the 

income tax of enterprises with foreign investment recognized as high-or new-technology 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 10 

enterprises established in the State high- or new-technology industrial development zones shall be 

levied at a reduced rate of 15%, according to the 1991 Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of 

China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises (see Exhibit-7). Under 

China’s newly enacted Enterprise Income Tax Law10 (see Exhibit-8) that unifies the income tax 

system for domestic and foreign enterprises, the high-tech sector continues to enjoy favorable 

treatment. Article 28 of the law stipulates that “the income tax rate shall be reduced to 15% for the 

State-encouraged new and high technology enterprises.” The government will draft an industry list 

to implement this article. The benefit provided will further encourage both domestic and foreign 

investment by high-tech companies. 

High-tech companies can also take advantage of tax incentives intended to encourage 

technological innovation. Pursuant to the 2003 Circular of the Ministry of Finance and the State 

Administration of Taxation on Expanding the Application of Tax Deduction for Technology 

Development Expenditure by Enterprises (see Exhibit-9), industrial enterprises, regardless of 

ownership, are not only able to fully deduct the expenses incurred for research and development of 

new products, new technologies and new crafts from their income taxes, but are also allowed an 

additional 50% deduction of R&D expenses, if such expenses increase 10% or more from the 

previous year. The 2006 Circular of the Ministry of Finance and the State Administration of 

Taxation on Preferential Corporate Income Tax Policies for Technological Innovation (see

Exhibit-10), which was formulated to implement The Guideline for the National Medium- and 

Long-Term Science and Technology Development Plan (2006-2020), reaffirms the above practice. 

 9

 Before January 1, 2008, the standard national corporate income tax rate is 30% plus a 3% local income tax. 

10 The new Corporate Income Tax Law was approved at the recently-concluded Fifth Session of the Tenth National 

People’s Congress on March 16, 2007. It is slated to take effect on January 1, 2008. The law equalizes the 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 11 

In addition, the 2006 circular provided for an income tax deduction for employee educational 

expenses and the acceleration of R&D equipment depreciation. 

There are also preferential tax policies designed to support specific high-tech sectors, such 

as the software and integrated circuits industry and the TFT-LCD11 industry, which are discussed 

in Section II of the paper. 

B. Local Government

Provincial and local governments, in the formulation of corresponding development plans, 

observe the fundamental guidelines set by the central government while tailoring development 

focus and targets to local situations. In the 11th Five-Year Plan of Beijing Municipality (see

Exhibit-5), for example, “to remarkably improve innovation capacity” is laid out as one of the 

primary development goals. More specifically, the plan targets the creation of an innovation 

system with the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park at the core, an R&D spending that 

accounts for 6% of the GDP, a high-tech export value that amounts to 38% of the total exports, and 

the development of companies with ownership of intellectual property rights, famous brands and 

strong international competitiveness. On the development of the high-tech industry, the plan lays 

priorities on sectors such as software and integrated circuits, computers and networks, and modern 

biotechnology. Specific plans in these sectors include: 

y Software: accelerate the construction of the second phase of Zhongguancun 

Software Park, Yongyou Software Park and other software bases; focus on key 

technologies such as embedded software, middleware, information security and 

digital content; rely on the national software export bases to expand outsourcing; 

continue to support domestically-developed software through measures such as 

 income tax for domestic and foreign-invested enterprises at 25%. 11 TFT-LCD is short for Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 12 

government procurement. 

y Integrated circuits: accelerate the construction of a national IC industrial park; 

integrate IC industrial resources focused on designing with the support of 

manufacturing and testing; improve the industrial chain of semiconductor materials 

and IC designing, manufacturing, encapsulation and testing. 

y Computer and network: encourage the global operation of large computer 

companies; accelerate the industrialization of 3C products based on IGRS 

standards; support the R&D and industrialization of high-performance computers; 

consolidate the alliance of the next-generation Internet industry. 

y Modern biotechnology industry: step up research efforts on biological engineering 

and new products, such as gene engineering, biological chip, and animal vaccine; 

promote the development of biomedicine, bio-agriculture and biological 

environmental protection. 

These development goals and plans appear to be generally consistent with those spelled out by the 

central government. 

With respect to specific support measures and preferential policies, while assisting the 

central government in implementing subsidy programs, provincial and local governments give 

additional local support to industries and companies. Tianjin Municipality provides an example. 

Besides providing supplementary grants to projects supported by some of the central government 

programs and funds listed in the previous section, Tianjin Municipality administers a Special Fund 

for Science and Technology Innovation designed for companies to introduce advanced 

technologies and industrialize key science and technology research achievements.12 The Fund 

supports 10 projects every year with a grant of 10 million yuan for each project.13 In terms of 

measures to promote high-tech exports, Tianjin Municipality provides grants and loan interest 

subsidies through the municipal-level Special Fund of Export Promotion through Science and 

 

12 Introduction of Science and Technology Programs (April 6, 2006), Tianjin Economic and Technological 

Development Area, available at http://www.teda.ac.cn/tedaast/include/showfile.asp?id=1057(see Exhibit-59). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 13 

Technology, awards software exports through a municipal fund dedicated to this purpose, and 

subsidizes the premium for export credit insurance using the municipal Foreign Trade 

Development Fund.14 All these additional supports reinforce the efforts of the central government 

support system. 

 13 Id. 

14 Ten New Measures of Tianjin Municipality to Promote High-Tech Exports, News Release of Ministry of 

Commerce (June 29, 2004), available at http://preview.kjs.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/d/200409/20040900272671. 

html (see Exhibit-60). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 14 

II. CHINESE GOVERNMENT SUPPORT TO THE ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION INDUSTRY

China’s electronics and information industry registered impressive growth during the 10th

five-year period (2001-2005). The value added in 2004 amounted to RMB 944.7 billion yuan, or 

7.5% of GDP; sales revenue grew at an average annual rate of 30%, reaching RMB 2650 billion 

yuan in 2004.15 Meanwhile, exports of electronics and information products quadrupled from 

USD $55.1 billion in 2000 to USD $207.5 billion in 2004, accounting for over one third of the 

country’s total exports.16 All these developments would not have been possible without vigorous 

government support. As demonstrated in the 11th Five-Year Guideline for National Economic and 

Social Development, going forward, China intends for the electronics and information industry to 

be placed high on the national development agenda. 

A. Central Government 

1. Major programs and development focus 

Reviewed below are major development plans and policies in the electronics and 

information industry that have been put into effect or are under contemplation: 

No Programs Issuing Agency Issuing Date 

1 

The 11th Five-Year Plan & 2020 Mid- to Long-Term 

Plan for the Science and Technological Development 

of the Information Industry 

Ministry of 

Information Industry 

(MII) 

August 2006 

2 The 11th Five-Year Plan of Foreign Trade in the 

Electronics and Information Industry MII 2006 

3 Opinions on Accelerating the ‘Giant Company’ 

Strategy in the Electronics and Information Industry MII 2004 

4 Development Policies on the National Electronics and MII August 2006 

 

15 Speech of Mr. Wang Xudong, Minister of Information Industry, at the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition of the 

Development Fund for the Electronics and Information Industry during the 10th Five-Year, available at 

http://www.itfund.gov.cn/help/2005shwjjchg.doc (see Exhibit-61). 

16 Id. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 15 

No Programs Issuing Agency Issuing Date 

Information Industry Bases and Industrial Parks 

5 

Provisional Measures for the Administration of the 

Development Fund for the Electronics and 

Information Industry 

Ministry of Finance 

(MIF), MII July 2001 

6 

Cooperation Agreement on Development Financing 

to Support the Development of Information Industry 

and Application of Information Technologies 

MII, China 

Development Bank 

(CDB) 

December 

2005 

7 Several Policies for Encouraging the Development of 

the Software and Integrated Circuits Industry The State Council June 2000 

8 

Tax Policies on Further Encouraging the 

Development of the Software and Integrated Circuits 

Industry 

MII, State 

Administration of 

Taxation (SAT) 

October 2002 

9 Action Plans on Promoting the Software Industry 

(2002-2005) The State Council July 2002 

10 

Provisional Measures for the Administration of the 

Specific Project Funds for Research and Development 

of the Integrated Circuits Industry 

MIF, MII, State 

Development and 

Reform Commission 

(SDRC) 

March 2005 

11 

Special Policies to Support the Software and 

Integrated Circuits Industry (designed to supersede 

No.7) 

The State Council To be issued 

12 Preferential Tax Policies to Support the Development 

of the TFT-LCD Industry MIF, STA February 2005 

The development goals laid out in these plans/policies are summarized as follows: 

y By 2010, to transform the R&D and production capacity of the software industry 

into compliance with the advanced international standard.17

y By 2010, to have domestically-produced software products satisfy the majority of 

the domestic demand while being exported in large quantities; to have 

domestically-produced IC products satisfy the majority of the domestic demand 

while also being exported.18

y To develop a group of competitive “giant companies”; by 2008, to have 4 

companies listed in the Fortune 500.19

 

17 Several Policies for Encouraging the Development of the Software and Integrated Circuits Industry (see

Exhibit-15). 18 Id. 

19 Opinions on Accelerating the ‘Giant Company’ Strategy in the Electronics and Information Industry (see
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 16 

y To increase exports 15% annually during the 11th five-year period, and to exceed 

USD $400 billion in exports by 2010.20

y By 2010, to foster 5 companies with exports over USD $10 billion and 50 

companies with exports over USD $1 billion.21

y By 2010, to bring about 10 global brands; to have exports of brand name products 

account for over 20% in total exports.22

As part of its efforts to transform China into a global player in the electronics and 

information industry, the central government has established 9 information industry bases, 34 

information industry parks, and 11 software export bases across the nation; it also appraises the list 

of top 100 electronics and IT companies every year.23 These industry bases/parks and major 

companies enjoy preferential policies in terms of government grants, financing, government 

procurement, and international cooperation projects, and represent the major focus of the 

government’s efforts to drive industrial development. 

2. Types of support 

a. Government grants 

Government grants, allocated through special funds earmarked from the government fiscal 

budget, constitute a major type of government support to the electronics and information industry. 

Most of the policies/plans listed above call for special funds to be arranged and used for the R&D 

and industrialization of core technologies and the global expansion of domestic companies. 

 Exhibit-13). 20 The 11th Five-Year Plan of Foreign Trade in the Electronics and Information Industry (see Exhibit-18). 21 Id. 

22 Id. 

23 For the 9 information industry bases, see http://www.mii.gov.cn/art/2005/12/30/art_56_4090.html (see

Exhibit-62); for the 34 information industry parks, see http://www.mii.gov.cn/art/2005/12/30/art_56_4091.html 

and http://www.mii.gov.cn/art/2005/12/30/art_56_4092.html (see Exhibit-63); for the 11 software export bases, 

see http://chinawto.mofcom.gov.cn/aarticle/g/ab/200612/20061203946229.html and http://fwmys.mofcom.gov. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 17 

A major fund operated by the Chinese government in the information industry is the 

Development Fund for the Electronics and Information Industry (IT Fund). Set up in 1986, the IT 

fund is intended to aid the software and integrated circuits (IC) industry as well as the development 

and industrialization of core information technologies and products in the fields of computers, 

telecommunications, networks, digital audio and visual, and electronic components.24 The fund is 

administered by the Ministry of Finance (MIF) and the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) 

who issue a project catalogue every year identifying priority fields and allocate grants through a 

combination of bidding and application by companies. The grants take the form of direct grants, 

loan interest subsidies, and capital investment. 

From 1986 to 2004, the IT Fund supported a total of 1,859 projects with RMB 3.9 billion 

yuan.25 The five-year period of 2000-2004 saw extraordinary growth of the Fund’s scale, with 

total grants amounting to RMB 2.4 billion yuan and benefiting 1,345 projects.26 The magnitude of 

the grants also increased on an annual basis as shown in the table below.27 Across the major fields 

of the electronics and information industry, software and IC have been enjoying the strongest 

support, receiving 40.7% and 15.1%, respectively, of the total grants from 2000 to 2004.28

 cn/aarticle/zhongyzt/y/ab/200506/20050600134519.html (see Exhibit-64); for the list of the top 100 electronics 

and IT companies, see http://www.ittop100.gov.cn/200605/188766.shtml (see Exhibit-65). 24 Introduction to the IT Fund, available at http://www.itfund.gov.cn/jianjie.php (see Exhibit-66). 25 Speech of Mr. Wang Xudong, Minister of Information Industry, at the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition of the 

Development Fund for the Electronics and Information Industry during the 10th Five-Year, available at 

http://www.itfund.gov.cn/help/2005shwjjchg.doc (see Exhibit-61). 

26 Id. 

27 The IT Fund to Push Forward the Development of the Information Industry, China Computer, available at 

http://www.media.ccidnet.com/art/2613/20050814/309883_1.html (see Exhibit-67). 

28 Speech of Mr. Wang Xudong, Minister of Information Industry, at the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition of the 

Development Fund for the Electronics and Information Industry during the 10th Five-Year, available at 

http://www.itfund.gov.cn/help/2005shwjjchg.doc (see Exhibit-61). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 18 

 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 Total 

Grants (in RMB million yuan) 265.3 387.85 459.8 561.1 754.45 2,428.5 

Number of Projects 102 199 282 309 453 1,345 

The IT Fund has created a ripple effect in which it influences the fiscal spending of local 

governments. From 2000 to 2004, local governments provided a total of RMB 15.6 billion yuan to 

projects supported by the IT Fund.29 In the case of Shanghai, the municipal government allocated 

RMB 1.02 billion yuan to key projects, supplementing the grants of RMB 160 million yuan from 

the IT Fund.30 

The IT Fund has given a strong impetus to the development of the electronics and 

information industry. From 2000 to 2004, the IT Fund generated RMB 632.4 billion yuan in 

additional sales revenue and RMB 37.94 billion yuan in net profits; it also nurtured the 

development of 2,456 patents.31

With a view to giving priority support to the IC industry, the central government set up the

Special Fund for Research and Development of the Integrated Circuits Industry (IC Fund) in 2005. 

The IC Fund is allocated in the form of direct grants, and a Chinese company may receive a grant 

up to 50% of the total R&D expenditures required in a project pursuant to the Provisional 

Measures for the Administration of the Specific Project Funds for Research and Development of 

the Integrated Circuits Industry (see Exhibit-11). As with the IT Fund, agencies in charge of the 

IC Fund, i.e., the MIF, the MII, and the SDRC, issue a project catalogue every year identifying key 

fields that will receive grants and evaluate applications from individual companies. In 2005, the 

 

29 Id. 

30 Id. 

31 Id. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 19 

IC Fund provided a total of RMB 150 million yuan to 27 companies for 29 projects.32

Besides the IT Fund and the IC Fund, other sources of support available to the electronics 

and information industry include the "863 Plan," "National Science and Technology 

Breaking-through Program," and the Technological Innovation Fund for the Technological Smalland Medium-Sized Enterprises, which are the government fiscal appropriation programs and 

special funds for the high-tech industry in general that are administered by the Ministry of Science 

and Technology.33 Under the Action Plans on Promoting the Development of the Software 

Industry (2002-2005) (see Exhibit-12) promulgated in 2002, these programs, together with the IT 

Fund, were intended to channel no less than RMB 3 billion yuan to the software industry from 

2002 to 2005. In addition, the central government was to provide another RMB 1 billion yuan, 

bringing the total support goal to RMB 4 billion yuan. 

In its endeavor to boost the competitiveness of the electronics and information industry, 

China is expected to set up more special-purpose funds and increase the magnitude of government 

grants. The Opinions on Accelerating the ‘Giant Company’ Strategy in the Electronics and 

Information Industry (see Exhibit-13), promulgated by the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) 

in 2005, calls on local governments to set up special-purpose funds for the development of "giant 

companies," especially companies whose R&D expenditures account for 6% of the sales revenue. 

 

32 Speech of Mr. Xiao Hua, Deputy Director of the Department of Products of Ministry of Information Industry (MII) 

at the 2006 Information Industry Meeting, available at http://www.mii.gov.cn/art/2006/03/28/art_81_9281.html 

(see Exhibit-68). 

33 “863 Plan,” also known as the High-Tech Research and Development Program, was launched in 1986. The 

program covers such areas as biotechnology, space technology, information technology, lasers, automation, 

advanced materials, energy technology, and marine technology. “National Science and Technology 

Breaking-through Program” launched in 1982 organizes the research and development of basic technologies 

related to the national economic and social development. The Technological Innovation Fund for the 

Technological Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises, set up in 1999, provides direct grants and loan interest 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 20 

Pursuant to Development Policies on the National Electronics and Information Industry Bases and 

Industrial Parks (see Exhibit-14), promulgated by the MII in 2006, every industry base is required 

to set up an annual special fund of no less than 50 million yuan to support key projects; for an 

industry park, the figure should be no less than 10 million yuan. According to the Chinese 

Semiconductor Industry Association, the new IC and software industry policies to be promulgated 

soon provide for an IC fund that will allocate USD $12-25 million in grants for the first year 

followed by annual expansion in the scale of the grants.34 Officials from the association also 

report that during the 11th five-year period (2006-2010), the Chinese government will spend a total 

of RMB 300 billion yuan on the IC industry.35

b. Tax benefits 

Pursuant to the government development plans and policies, there is an array of tax 

incentives available to electronics and IT companies in China. Major categories of tax benefits 

include income tax exemption and reduction, VAT rebate and exemption, and preferential tariff 

treatment. 

Under the 2000 Several Policies on Encouraging the Development of the Software and 

Integrated Circuits Industry (see Exhibit-15), software companies registered in China are eligible 

for a full income tax exemption for the first two years after they start to make profits, followed by 

a 50% reduction for the next three years. This practice is known as the “two-free and three-half” 

treatment. Software companies that are recognized as key companies can enjoy a preferential 10% 

 subsidies to SMEs for technological innovation projects. 

34 New Policies to Usher in New Vistas in the IC and Software Industry, China Industry Information Network, 

available at http://www.cinic.org.cn/HTML/2005/1799/20062160066.html (see Exhibit-69). 

35 Id. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 21 

income tax rate during the time when these tax exemptions and reductions do not apply. The list of 

key software companies is jointly determined by the NDRC, MII, MOFCOM and SAT.36 Under 

the same policy framework, IC companies with an investment of over RMB 8 billion yuan or that 

manufacture ICs with a width of less than 0.25 um are eligible to enjoy the preferential income tax 

rate that applies to foreign investors engaged in the energy and transportation sectors, which is full 

exemption for the first five years followed by a 50% reduction for the next five years, if the 

duration of operation is no less than 15 years.37 In addition, the 2002 Tax Policies on Further 

Encouraging the Development of the Software and Integrated Circuits Industry (see Exhibit-16)

accords the "two-free and three-half" preferential treatment to IC companies that manufacture ICs 

of 0.8 um or less in width. 

The 2000 software and IC policies also stipulate that software companies are not subject to 

customs duties and import VAT for imports of equipment and technologies needed in their 

production, unless the commodities are listed in the Catalogue of Imported Goods Not Eligible for 

Tariff Exemption for Foreign-Invested Projects and the Catalogue of Imported Goods Not Eligible 

for Tariff Exemption for Domestic-Funded Projects. Imported IC technologies and whole sets of 

production equipment as well as separately imported special equipment and apparatus to produce 

ICs are also exempt from customs duties and import VAT. In addition, IC companies with an 

investment of over RMB 8 billion yuan or that manufacture ICs with a width of less than 0.25 um 

enjoy exemption from customs duties and import VAT for the imports of raw materials and 

consumption goods for their own production. The SDRC, together with other agencies, 

 

36 The 2005 list includes 157 software companies. 

37 See Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign 

Enterprises and Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of China for 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 22 

administers a catalogue of tax-free IC products. Under the 2005 Preferential Tax Policies to 

Support the Development of the TFT-LCD Industry (see Exhibit-17), up until the end of 2008, 

TFT-LCD manufacturers are eligible to enjoy exemption from customs duties for imports of raw 

materials and consumption goods for their own production which cannot be produced 

domestically. In the meantime, they are not subject to customs duties and import VAT for imports 

of special construction materials for purification rooms, backup systems and equipment spare 

parts. 

Pursuant to the 2000 software and IC policies, before 2010, general taxpayers must pay a 

17% VAT for sales of software products that they have developed but are eligible to receive a 

refund of the portion above 3% after the collection. The VAT refund, used for the R&D of 

software products and production expansion, is not taxable as corporate income. In addition, the 

2000 software and IC policies provide that chips designed by IC companies in China but 

manufactured overseas are eligible for a preferential tariff rate upon import into China. 

c. Others: export promotion, financing support and government 

procurement 

Under the 2000 software and IC policies, exports of software are incorporated into the 

business scope of the Export and Import Bank of China and enjoy credit support with a preferential 

interest rate. Under the same policy framework, export-oriented software companies enjoy 

support from the Central Foreign Trade Development Fund with respect to fees for the 

GB/T19000-ISO9000 and CMM System certification. 

Pursuant to the 2005 Opinions on Accelerating the ‘Giant Company’ Strategy in the 

 Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprise (Exhibit-7 and Exhibit-29). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 23 

Electronics and Information Industry and the 11th Five-Year Plan of the Foreign Trade in the 

Electronics and Information Industry (see Exhibit-18), companies, especially "giant companies," 

receive governmental support when “going global” in terms of financing, insurance, foreign 

exchange, customs clearance, quality inspection, and staff entry and exit. The Opinions also 

encourage companies to participate in international cooperation projects to promote exports. 

According to the Cooperation Agreement on Development Financing to Support the 

Development of Information Industry and Application of Information Technologies, signed by the 

Ministry of Information Industry and the China Development Bank (CDB) on December 21, 2005, 

within a timeframe of five years, CDB will arrange a credit of RMB 50 billion yuan to support the 

information industry.38 As with other types of policy support, priorities will be given to “giant 

companies” and companies located in industrial bases and parks.39

With respect to government procurement, the 2000 software and IC policies call for the use 

of domestic products in state-invested projects and major application systems under the same 

performance-to-price ratio. Pursuant to the 2005 Opinions on Accelerating the ‘Giant Company’ 

Strategy in the Electronics and Information Industry, priority consideration will be rendered to 

"giant companies" in government procurement. The Action Plans on Accelerating the 

Development of the Software Industry also encourages domestic companies to purchase 

domestically-developed software products and services. 

 

38 Development Financing to Support the Innovation and Development of the Information Industry, News Release 

of The Office of the Electronics Information System Promotion (December 21, 2005), available at 

http://www.qdb.gov.cn/pages/article_show.asp?articleID=126 (see Exhibit-70). 

39 See, e.g., Development Policies on the National Electronics and Information Industry Bases and Industrial Parks 

(see Exhibit-14). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 24 

B. Local Government 

To implement the policies promulgated by the central government on promoting the 

electronics and information industry and to boost local competitiveness, local governments have 

formulated corresponding policies, reinforcing the spirit of the central government policies and 

providing additional support. 

The following is a review of preferential policies in the software and IC industry adopted in 

four municipalities -- Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and Suzhou -- which are among the 9 

information industry bases in China: 

Shenzhen: Several Regulations on Accelerating the Development of Integrated Circuits 

Industry of Shenzhen City (2001) (see Exhibit-19) 

y To build an IC industrial park covering an area of 3-5 kilometers for the first phase; 

IC companies qualified to enter the park are exempt from the land use fee, 

municipal facilities fee, and the land development fee. 

y To provide loan interest subsidies for up to three years to projects invested in prior 

to 2003. 

y To subsidize IC companies’ utility expenses. 

y To provide preferential income tax treatment to IC companies located in Shenzhen; 

full exemption for the first five years followed by a 50% reduction for the next five 

years, provided the duration of operations is no less than 15 years. 

Shanghai: Several Policies on Encouraging the Development of Software and Integrated 

Circuits Industry of Shanghai Municipality (2000) (see Exhibit-20) 

y To arrange a special fund of RMB 500 million yuan for the software industry, 

rendering support to the infrastructure construction, key software projects, 

industrialization of technologies, and projects supported by the central government. 

y To list the new chip production lines as key projects of the municipal government 

and provide 1% loan interest subsidies to the RMB portion of the loans for fixed 

assets. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 25 

y To exempt new chip production projects from transaction fees for the purchase of 

property for manufacturing purposes, property registration fees, water volume 

increase fees, gas volume increase fees, and additional power supply fees. 

Beijing: Opinions of the Beijing Municipality on Implementing “Several Policies on 

Encouraging the Development of Software and IC Industry” of the State Council (2001) 

(see Exhibit-21) 

y To provide 1.5% loan interest subsidies to approved IC projects during the 

construction period for up to three years; loan interest subsidies can be raised to 2% 

for projects constructed in areas guided by the government. 

y To support the approved IC projects with a capital investment equal to 15% of the 

companies’ registered capital; the municipal government has no voting power, nor 

does it share dividends, but it can transfer the ownership. 

y To exempt IC investors from land use fee for 30 years. 

y To set up a special fund for the software industry, supporting the innovation of 

software companies. 

Suzhou: Trial Measures on Accelerating the Development of the Software Industry and the 

Integrated Circuits Design Industry of the Suzhou Industrial Park (2006) (see Exhibit-22) 

y To subsidize the portion of the income tax above 7.5% during the tax reduction 

period for domestic-invested software companies recognized as provincial-level 

high-tech companies, using the technology development fund of the industrial 

park. 

y To set up an investment fund of RMB 100 million yuan for the software and IC 

design industry, giving special support to the software and IC companies owning IP 

rights during the seed stage. 

y To subsidize costs for Multi-Project Wafer samples and testing incurred by IC 

design companies when developing chips. 

y To give preferential treatment in terms of land use fees and property rent to 

software and IC companies in the industrial park. 

y To reward software companies with RMB 200,000 yuan to 500,000 yuan for 

obtaining CMM certifications (CMMI2, I3, I4, I5). 

y To reward software companies (with an annual tax payment of RMB 500,000 yuan 

and above) respectively with RMB 500,000 yuan and 250,000 yuan for exporting 

over USD $5 million and $3 million for the first time. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 26 

y To reward software and IC companies with RMB 100,000 yuan when they go public. 

In sum, additional local support is provided through many avenues, including grants from 

special funds, loan interest subsidies, preferential tax treatment, free land, preferential treatment in 

obtaining basic infrastructure services, and monetary awards. 

C. Government Support to Chinese Companies in the Electronics and 

Information Industry

Many Chinese electronics and IT companies have sharpened their competitive edge and 

quite a few of them have started to catch global attention in recent years. Various government 

support programs at the central and local level have been playing a significant role in nurturing the 

development of these companies. The IT Fund, for example, has benefited over 70 out of the top 

100 electronics and IT companies in China.40 Many software and IC R&D projects have received 

grants from the IT Fund, including China’s first digital media processing chip with IP ownership 

(“Hiview”) developed by Hisense, Co., Ltd., the fifth-generation TFT-LCD developed by BOE 

Technology Group Co., Ltd, and the TD-SCDMA system related technology developed by Datang 

Telecom Technology Co. Ltd.41

The following is a review of subsidies as reported in the 2005 annual reports of six selected 

major Chinese players in the electronics and information industry. It demonstrates the breadth and 

diversity in the sources and types of subsidies enjoyed by these companies. Information on their 

sales revenue, stock listing, and ranking (of the companies or their parent companies) within the 

 

40 Speech of Mr. Wang Xudong, Minister of Information Industry, at the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition of the 

Development Fund for the Electronics and Information Industry during the 10th Five-Year, available at 

http://www.itfund.gov.cn/help/2005shwjjchg.doc (see Exhibit-61). 

41 Id. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 27 

top 100 Chinese electronics and IT companies is also listed.42

1. Haier Electronics Group Co., Ltd. 43 (part of the Haier Group): ranked 2nd;

specializing in washing machines; listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. 

Subsidies (HK$) 2,121,000 

Sales Revenue (HK$) 4,940,474,000 

Source of subsidies: 

o Two of the group’s subsidiaries in Mainland China received subsidies 

from the relevant authorities of Qingdao Municipality and Shunde 

Municipality as an encouragement for advanced research and 

development. 

2. BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.:44 ranked 3rd; specializing in TFT-LCD, color 

picture tube, monitor/flat panel TV, and small display devices; listed on the 

Shenzhen Stock Exchange. 

Subsidies (yuan) 45,245,757 

Sales Revenue (yuan) 13,461,793,093 

Breakdown of subsidies: 

o 373,400 yuan in subsidies for the self-prepared generator from Shaoxing 

City Government. 

o 43,772,357 yuan in loan interest subsidies for the TFT-LCD project 

received from the Economic Commission of Beijing Municipality. 

o 1,100,000 yuan in loan interest subsidies for the fifth-generation 

TFT-LCD project received from the Ministry of Finance. 

3. Hisense Electric Co., Ltd.:

45 ranked 7th; specializing in televisions, refrigerators, 

mobile phones, air-conditioners, computers, and network devices; listed on the 

Shanghai Stock Exchange. 

Subsidies (yuan) 9,844,309 

Sales Revenue (yuan) 10,163,432,298 

 

42 The 2006 top 100 electronics and IT companies list is available at http://www.ittop100.gov.cn/200605/

188766.shtml (see Exhibit-65). 

43 Company website http://www.haier.com; see Exhibit-23 for its 2005 annual report. 44 Company website http://www.boe.com.cn; see Exhibit-24 for its 2005 annual report. 45 Company website http://www.hisense.com; see Exhibit-25 for its 2005 annual report. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 28 

Breakdown of subsidies: 

o 1,000,000 yuan in grants from the central government’s IT Fund for their 

flat screen TV products project. 

o 384,309 yuan in VAT refunds received by Zibo Hisense Electronics Co., 

Ltd. as part of the preferential tax policy for Zibo Hisense. 

o 250,000 yuan in VAT refunds received by Qingdao Sales Company of 

Beijing Hisense Electric Co., Ltd. 

o 8,210,000 yuan in grants received by Guiyang Hisense Electronics Co., 

Ltd. from the Finance Bureau of Guiyang City Government. 

4. Langchao Electronic Information Industry Co., Ltd.:

46 ranked 17th; specializing 

in computers, software, electronics, and telecommunications equipment; listed on 

the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. 

Subsidies (yuan) 24,319,380 

Sales Revenue (yuan) 1,305,936,889 

Breakdown of subsidies: 

o 23,296,380 yuan in VAT refunds for software products. 

o 1,000,000 yuan in grants from the central government’s IT Fund. 

o 23,000 yuan in grants from the Fund for Enterprises in Potential Tapping 

and Upgrading from Taishan City Government. 

5. Tsinghua Tongfang:

47 ranked 23rd; specializing in computers, laser disk player 

and chip components; listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. 

Subsidies (yuan) 28,161,973 

Sales Revenue (yuan) 9,775,186,870 

Breakdown of subsidies: 

o 23,788,555 yuan in VAT refunds for software products. 

o 4,152,500 yuan in fiscal subsidies. 

o 220,917 yuan in loan interest subsidies for export credit and other items. 

6. Shanghai Belling Corp., Ltd.: 48 (part of the Huahong Group); ranked 44th; 

specializing in integrated circuits; listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. 

 

46 Company website http://www.langchao.com; see Exhibit-26 for its 2005 annual report. 47 Company website http://www.thtf.com.cn; see Exhibit-27 for its 2005 annual report. 48 Company website http://www.belling.com.cn; see Exhibit-28 for its 2005 annual report. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 29 

Subsidies (yuan) 13,296,180 

Sales Revenue (yuan) 638,135,413 

Breakdown of subsidies: 

o 12,484,607 yuan in VAT refunds for IC products. 

o 283,305 yuan in fiscal subsidies from the Finance Bureau of Shanghai 

Pudong New District Government based on value added. 

o 420,000 yuan in grants from the IC development fund of the Finance 

Bureau of Hangzhou City Government. 

o 81,090 yuan in fiscal subsidies from the Finance Bureau of Shanghai 

Pudong New District Government based on total profit. 

o 27,178 yuan from other sources. 

As demonstrated above, subsidies received by these companies are sourced from both 

central and local governments through a broad range of support programs, including the IT Fund, 

the IC Fund, loan interest subsidies, VAT refunds, fiscal subsidies based on total profit, fiscal 

subsidies based on value added, subsidies to encourage advanced research and development, the 

fund for enterprise potential tapping and upgrading, and others. 

It is worth noting that these companies may receive some other government subsidies that 

are not booked as subsidies but rather as non-operating revenue in their annual reports. For 

example, BOE Technology Group announced on March 6, 2007 that it just received a grant of 

RMB 53.27 million yuan from the Special Fund for Foreign Economic and Technological 

Cooperation49 approved by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce. According to 

BOE, the grant, which will be used as working capital and booked as non-operating revenue for the 

first quarter of 2007, will have a positive impact on the company’s profit.50 

 

49 The fund is administered under the Administrative Measures on the Special Fund for Foreign Economic and 

Technological Cooperation issued by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Commerce on December 9, 

2005 with a view to implementing the national strategy of “going global.” 50 BOE Technology Group Received Government Subsidies of RMB 53.27 Million Yuan, Sina News Release 

(March 7, 2007), available at http://finance.sina.com.cn/stock/t/20070307/06511247445.shtml (see Exhibit-71). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 30 

As shown in their annual reports, these companies also enjoy income tax benefits that are 

not reflected as subsidies per se. In their 2005 annual reports, BOE Technology Group (as a 

high-tech company established in the Beijing New Technology Development Experimental Zone), 

Shanghai Belling Corp (as a high-tech company established in the Shanghai Caohejing New 

Technology Development Zone), Tsinghua Tongfang (as a high-tech company recognized by the 

Beijing Science and Technology Commission), and Langchao Electronic Information Industry Co., 

Ltd. (as a high-tech company established in the Jinan New and High Technology Development 

Zone), are all eligible for a reduced income tax rate of 15%. This preferential treatment is 

accorded pursuant to relevant provisions on high-tech companies in the 1994 Several Preferential 

Corporate Income Tax Policies (see Exhibit-6). One of the subsidiaries of Langchao Electronic 

Information Industry Co. Ltd., namely, Langchao Cheeloosoft, enjoys a reduced rate of 10% as a 

key software company recognized by the central government, a treatment granted under the 2000 

Several Policies on Encouraging the Development of the Software and Integrated Circuits 

Industry (see Exhibit-15). In the case of Haier Electronics Group, among its seven subsidiaries 

established in China, four are Sino-foreign equity joint ventures, two are wholly-foreign-owned 

enterprises and the remaining one is a limited liability company. Except for the limited liability 

company and one Sino-foreign equity joint venture, all subsidiaries are entitled to preferential tax 

treatment including reduction of corporate income tax and full income tax exemption for two years 

starting from their first profit-making year followed by a 50% reduction for the next three years. 

This two-free and three-half treatment is granted under the 1991 Income Tax Law of the People’s 

Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises (see

Exhibit-7). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 31 

Another major source of government support for these companies and other major players 

in the electronics and information industry is the easy access to preferential policy loans. Two of 

the three policy banks in China, the China Development Bank and the Export and Import Bank of 

China, have been rendering strong credit support to companies in their technological innovation 

and global expansion. The following are examples of such support received by major Chinese 

electronics and IT companies: 

y On February 13, 2004, the Export and Import Bank of China agreed to provide 

USD $600 million in export credit to Huawei Technology, a telecoms-network 

equipment maker.51

y On September 7, 2004, the Export and Import Bank of China agreed to provide a 

credit line of USD $1.5 billion to Haier Group for its exports and overseas 

investment in the next five years.52

y On December 27, 2004, the China Development Bank agreed to offer a credit line 

of USD $10 billion to Huawei Technology for its global market expansion in the 

next five years.53

y On March 12, 2005, the Export and Import Bank of China agreed to provide RMB 

6 billion yuan in export credit to TCL, now the world’s largest TV maker, who 

acquired the TV business of Thompson and the mobile phone business of Alcatel in 

2004.54

y In June 2005, the China Development Bank agreed to offer a credit line of RMB 3.8 

billion yuan to Tsinghua Tongfang in its efforts to go global.55

y On August 5, 2005, the China Development Bank agreed to offer a credit line of 

 

51 Huawei Has Obtained USD $600 Million In Export Financing, News Release of Huawei Technology, available at 

http://www.huawei.com/cn/news/view.do?id=619&cid=86 (see Exhibit-72). 52 The Export and Import Bank of China and Haier Group Signed a Cooperation Agreement of USD $1.5 Billion of 

Export Credit, News Release of the Export and Import Bank of China (September 8, 2004), available at 

http://www.eximbank.gov.cn/info/Article.jsp?a_no=493&col_no=79 (see Exhibit-73) 

53 Development Financing Facilitating the Strategy of “Going Global,” News Release of Huawei Technology, 

available at http://www.huawei.com/cn/news/view.do?id=515&cid=86 (see Exhibit-74) 

54 Chinese Companies Going Global, China International E-Commerce Network (January 9, 2006), available at 

http://zcq.ec.com.cn/pubnews/2006_01_19/100300/1127775.jsp (see Exhibit-75) 

55 Id. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 32 

RMB 8 billion yuan to TCL in its efforts to go global in the next five years.56 

y By November 2006, the China Development Bank extended loans of USD $440 

million to BOE Technology Group, including a soft loan of RMB 1.12 billion yuan 

extended recently to support the fifth-generation TFT-LCD project.57 

 

56 Id. 

57 Governor of the China Development Bank Mr. Chen Yuan Visited BOE for the Fifth-Generation TFT-LCD 

Project, News Release of BOE Technology Group, available at http://www.boe.com.cn/ 

0821/cn/news/ViewArticle.aspx?articleid=212 (see Exhibit-76) 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 33 

III. CHINA’S SUBSIDIES RELEVANT TO THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY NOTIFIED BY CHINA TO 

THE WTO 

China undertook various commitments on subsidies in joining the WTO in 2001. 

Specifically, China committed to eliminate all subsidy programs prohibited under Article 3 of the 

Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM) (i.e., subsidies contingent on export 

performance (export subsidies) and subsidies contingent on the use of domestic over imported 

goods (import substitution subsidies)). In addition, China committed to phasing out three subsidy 

programs: (1) subsidies provided to certain state-owned enterprises which are running at a loss (to 

be terminated by the end of 2000); (2) priority in obtaining loans and foreign currencies based on 

export performance (to be terminated by the end of 2000); and (3) preferential tariff rates based on 

localization rate of automotive production. China also assumed the other general obligations of 

the SCM Agreement, including the annual subsidies notification required under Article 25.1. 

On April 13, 2006, China filed its long-overdue subsidies notification to the WTO.58 The 

notification contains information on 78 subsidy programs granted or maintained at the central 

government level in China. As noted by USTR, “although the notification is lengthy, with over 70 

subsidy programs reported, it is also notably incomplete, as it failed to notify any subsidies 

provided by China’s state-owned banks or by provincial and local government authorities. In 

addition, while China notified several subsidies that appear to be prohibited, it did so without 

making any commitment to withdraw them, and it failed to notify other subsidies that appear to be 

prohibited.”59

 

58 New and Full Notification Pursuant to Article XVI:1 of the GATT 1994 and Article 25 of the SCM Agreement – 

People’s Republic of China, G/SCM/N/123/CHN (13 April 2006). 

59 See USTR, 2006 Report to Congress on China’s WTO Compliance, at page 42. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 34 

Among the 78 notified programs, three programs are designed to encourage high- and 

new-technology industrial development specifically (see programs VIII, IX, LVII), with one 

program intended to aid the development of the integrated circuits industry (see program LVII). 

Fourteen other programs, which are not of an industry-specific nature, also apply to certain 

companies in the high-tech industry, or can benefit the high-tech industry through encouraging 

foreign investment (see programs I, II, VI, X, XI, XIII, LVIII, LX), domestic investment (see 

programs LIX, LX), regional development (see programs X, XI, XIII, XIV), research and 

development (see programs XXVI, XXVII), transfer of technology (see program XXVIII), purchase 

of domestically-produced equipment (see programs LVIII, LIX), technological innovation (See 

program XXXI) and technological upgrading (see program LIX). Preferential tax treatment, direct 

grants and loan interest discounts constitute the major forms of the subsidies. The following table 

reviews the 17 programs relevant to the high-tech industry: 

I. Preferential tax policies for foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs). 

Legislation: 

Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign 

Enterprises(see Exhibit-7); Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic 

of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises(see Exhibit-29)

Benefits: 

(1) Two years of income tax exemption and three years of 50% reduction for production-oriented FIEs 

scheduled to operate for not less than ten years from the first profit-making year. 

(2) Refund of 40% of income tax paid on reinvestment for increasing the registered capital of the existing 

enterprise or establishing other enterprises, to operate for not less than five years. 

(3) Full refund of the income tax paid on the reinvestment in China for the organization and expansion of 

export-oriented enterprises or advanced-technology enterprises. 

(4) Reduced income tax rate of 10% for the royalty received for the supply of technical know-how in 

scientific research and the development of important technologies.

II. Preferential tax policies for foreign-invested export enterprises. 

Legislation: 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 35 

Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign 

Enterprises(see Exhibit-7); Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic 

of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises(see Exhibit-29)

Benefits: 

After the expiration of the normal income tax exemption and reduction, foreign-invested export-oriented 

companies can pay income tax at a rate reduced by one half, if 70% of their products are exported. Such 

companies located in special economic zones and economic and technological development zones and 

other such companies subject to a 15% income tax rate that comply with the foregoing conditions, shall 

pay income tax at 10%. 

VI. Preferential tax policies for enterprises with foreign investment which are 

technology-intensive and knowledge-intensive. 

Legislation:

Circular on the Preferential Tax Treatment to Foreign Invested Companies That Are Technology and 

Knowledge Intensive (Guoshuifa No.139 of 1995) (see Exhibit-30); Circular on the Preferential Tax 

Treatment to Foreign Invested Companies That Are Technology and Knowledge Intensive (Guoshuifa 

No.135 of 2003) (see Exhibit-31) 

Benefits: 

A reduced income tax rate of 15% for FIEs that are technology-intensive and knowledge-intensive and 

whose major products are listed in the “Catalogue of High and New Technology Products of China” 

promulgated by MOST provided that the sales revenue of these products accounts for over 15% of the 

total annual sales revenue.

VIII. Preferential tax policies for (1) enterprises with foreign investment recognized as high or 

new technology enterprises established in the State high or new technology industrial 

development zones, and for (2) advanced technology enterprises invested in and operated 

by foreign businesses. 

Legislation: 

Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for Enterprises 

with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises (see Exhibit-29)

Benefits: 

(1) Reduced income tax rate of 15%, and income tax exemption for the first two years since 

profit-making. 

(2) Extension of an income tax rate reduced by half for an additional three years after the expiration of tax 

exemption and reduction. 

IX. Preferential tax policies for enterprises recognized as high or new technology enterprises 

established in the State high or new technology industrial development zones. 

Legislation: 

Circular on Several Preferential Corporate Income Tax Policies (Caishuizi No.1 of 1994) (see Exhibit-6) 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 36 

Benefits: 

Reduced income tax rate of 15%, and income tax exemption for the first two years of production. 

X. Preferential tax policies for enterprises with foreign investment established in special 

economic zones (excluding Shanghai Pudong area). 

Legislation: 

Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign 

Enterprises(see Exhibit-7); Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic 

of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises(see Exhibit-29)

Benefits: 

(1) Reduced income tax rate of 15% for FIEs established in Shenzhen, Zhuhai, Shantou, Xiamen and 

Hainan special economic zones. 

(2) Reduced income tax rate of 24% for FIEs established in the old urban districts of cities where the 

above special economic zones are located. 

(3) Reduced income tax rate of 15% for FIEs defined under (2) that are engaged in (a) 

technology-intensive or knowledge-intensive projects, (b) projects with foreign investments of over USD 

$30 million which have long periods for return on investment, and (c) energy resource, transportation and 

port construction projects. 

XI. Preferential tax policies for enterprises with foreign investment established in the coastal 

economic open areas and in the economic and technological development zones. 

Legislation: 

Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign 

Enterprises (see Exhibit-7); Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic 

of China for Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises(see Exhibit-29)

Benefits: 

(1) Reduced income tax rate of 15% for production-oriented FIEs established in the economic and 

technological development zones. 

(2) Reduced income tax rate of 24% for production-oriented FIEs established in the coastal economic 

open areas and in the old urban districts of cities where the economic and technological development 

zones are located. 

(3) Reduced income tax rate of 15% for FIEs defined under (2) that are engaged in (a) 

technology-intensive or knowledge-intensive projects, (b) projects with foreign investments of over USD 

$30 million which have long periods for return on investment, and (c) energy resource, transportation and 

port construction projects. 

XIII. Preferential tax policies for enterprises with foreign investment established in the Three 

Gorges of Yangtze River Economic Zone. 

Legislation: 

Circular on the Tax Policy for Relocation of Residents in the Three Gorges Area and Regional 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 37 

Development (Caishuizi No.034 of 1995) (see Exhibit-32)

Benefits: 

(1) Reduced income tax rate of 24% for production-oriented FIEs established in the Three Gorges 

Economic Zone. 

(2) Reduced income tax rate of 15% for the above FIEs engaged in energy resources, transportation, 

harbor and wharf projects or other projects encouraged by the State. 

(3) Reduced income tax rate of 24% for FIEs established in the old urban districts of the open cities along 

the Yangtze River. 

(4) Reduced income tax rate of 15% for FIEs defined under (3) that are engaged in (a) 

technology-intensive or knowledge-intensive projects, (b) projects with foreign investments of over USD 

$30 million which have long periods for return on investment, and (c) energy resource, transportation and 

port construction projects. 

XIV. Preferential tax policies in the western regions. 

Legislation:

Circular on Several Policies on the Development of Western Region (Guofa No.33 of 2000) (see 

Exhibit-33); Circular on the Implementation of New Policies for the Development of Western Region 

(Guobanfa No.73 of 2001) (see Exhibit-34); Circular on Preferential Tax Treatment for Western Regions 

Development Program (Caishui No.202 of 2001) (see Exhibit-35); Circular on Extending 15% 

Preferential Income Tax Rate for Three Years to Foreign Invested Companies in Central and Western 

Regions (Guoshuifa No.172 of 1999) (see Exhibit-36) 

Benefits: 

(1) Reduced income tax rate of 15% for domestic and foreign-invested enterprises established in the 

western regions which are engaged in industries encouraged by the State from 2001 to 2010. For 

domestic enterprises, industries encouraged by the State refer to those listed in the “Catalogue of the 

Industries, Products and Technologies Particularly Encouraged by the States.” For these enterprises, the 

items included in the Catalogue must be its major business and must account for over 70% of total 

revenue. For FIEs, industries encouraged by the State refer to those listed as encouraged in the 

“Catalogue for the Guidance of the Foreign Investment Industries” and listed in the “Catalogue for the 

Guidance of the Advantageous Industries in Central and Western Regions for Foreign Investment.” For 

these enterprises, the items listed in the two Catalogues must be its major business and must account for 

over 70% of total revenue. 

(2) Tariff and import VAT exemption for equipment imported by domestic and foreign-invested 

enterprises, as defined in (1), for self use that is within the total amount of the investment, excluding such 

equipment listed in the “Catalogue for the Imported Products Not Subject to Tax Exemption in Foreign 

Investment Projects” and the “Catalogue for the Imported Products Not Subject to Tax Exemption in 

Domestic Investment Projects.” 

(3) Since 2000, reduced income tax rate of 15% for an additional three years following the expiration of 

the two years of tax exemption and three years of 50% tax reduction for FIEs established in 19 provinces, 

autonomous regions and municipalities in central and western regions which are engaged in industries 

encouraged by the State as listed in the “Catalogue for the Guidance of Foreign Investment Industries” as 

well as in the advantageous industries and projects approved by the State Council. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 38 

XXVI. Preferential tax policies for the research and development of enterprises. 

Legislation: 

Circular on Expanding the Application of Tax Deduction for Technology Development Expenditure by 

Enterprises (Caishui No.244 of 2003) (see Exhibit-9) 

Benefits: 

Domestic industrial enterprises, regardless of ownership, may deduct from their taxable income 150% of 

the actual expenses incurred on research and development of new products, new technologies and new 

crafts, provided such expenses have increased 10% or more from the previous year. 

XXVII. Preferential tax policies for the research and development of foreign-invested 

enterprises. 

Legislation: 

Circular on Granting Income Tax Deduction to Foreign-invested Enterprises for Technology 

Development Expenditure (Guoshuifa No.173 of 1999) (see Exhibit-37) 

Benefits: 

Foreign-invested enterprises may deduct from their taxable income 150% of the actual expenses incurred 

on research and development conducted in China, provided such expenses have increased 10% or more 

from the previous year. 

XXVIII. Preferential tax policies for enterprises transferring technology. 

Legislation: Circular on Several Preferential Corporate Income Tax Policies (Caishuizi No.1 of 1994) 

(see Exhibit-6) 

Benefits: 

Income tax exemption for enterprises profiting from technology transfers as well as from technology 

consultation, technology services and technology training provided as part of the transfer, where the 

annual net income is less than RMB 300,000; net income above RMB 300,000 is subject to the regular tax 

rate. 

XXXI. Funds for supporting technological innovation for the technological small and 

medium-sized enterprises. 

Legislation: 

Circular on the Interim Administrative Rules of the Technological Innovation Fund for the Technological 

Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises (Guobanfa No.47 of 1999) (see Exhibit-38) 

Benefits: 

Science- and technology-oriented SMEs are eligible to receive two types of support – grants and loan 

interest discounts. Support is provided in two stages. Initially, SMEs receive 70% of the grant and 80% 

of the interest discount. The remaining portions of the grant and interest discount are paid after the 

project is completed, checked, and accepted. Each project can receive no more than RMB 1 million and, 

in particular cases, no more than RMB 2 million. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 39 

The total and annual amount budgeted for the subsidy: in million RMB 

2001 2002 2003 2004 Total 

800 500 500 500 2300 

LVII. Preferential tax policies for integrated circuit industry. 

Legislation: 

Certain Tax Policies Promoting the Development of the Software and Integrated Circuits Industry 

(Caishui No.25 of 2000) (see Exhibit-39); Circular on Tax Policies Further Promoting the Development 

of the Software and Integrated Circuits Industry (Caishui No.70 of 2002) (see Exhibit-16); Circular on 

Tax Policies on Raw Materials Imported by Integrated Circuits Manufacturers for Self-use (Caishui 

No.136 of 2002) (see Exhibit-40); Circular on Tax Policy on Imports of Domestically Designed Integrated 

Circuits Products Produced Overseas (Caishui No.140 of 2002) (see Exhibit-41); Circular on 

Termination of VAT Rebate for Integrated Circuits (Caishui No.174 of 2004) (see Exhibit-42); Circular 

on Strictly Enforcing Individual Income Tax Deduction and Exemption Standards (Caishui No.40 of 2004) 

(see Exhibit-43) 

Benefits: 

(1) Refund of 40% of the income tax paid on reinvestment by IC enterprises by increasing the registered 

capital of the existing enterprises or establishing other IC enterprises, provided these enterprises will 

operate for a period of not less than five years. 

(2) Refund of 80% of the income tax paid on reinvestment by domestic or foreign economic 

organizations from shares of profits obtained inside China into IC enterprises located in the western 

regions, provided these enterprises will operate for a period of not less than five years. 

(3) IC enterprises investing more than RMB 8 billion or producing ICs with a width less than 0.25 um 

enjoy the same preferential tax treatment that applies to foreign investors engaged in the energy and 

transportation sectors. 

(4) IC enterprises producing ICs with a width of 0.8 micron or less enjoy two years of income tax 

exemption followed by three years of 50% reduction from the first profit-making year. 

(5) Refund of VAT portion over 6% for enterprises selling independently-designed IC products from 

June 2000 to the end of 2001; refund of VAT portion over 3% for such enterprises starting from 2002. 

This policy ceased on April 1, 2005. 

(6) Refund of import VAT portion over 6% for domestically-designed ICs with self-owned intellectual 

property rights when processed overseas from July 1, 2000 to October 1, 2004. 

(7) Tariff and import VAT exemption for raw materials for self-production and consumption goods 

imported by IC enterprises investing more than RMB 8 billion or producing ICs with a width less than 

0.25 um. 

(8) Tariff and import VAT exemption for IC technologies and whole sets of production equipment, as 

well as separately imported special equipment and apparatus to produce ICs, imported by IC companies. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 40 

LVIII. Preferential tax policies for foreign-invested enterprises and foreign enterprises which 

have establishments or place in China and are engaged in production or business 

operations purchasing domestically-produced equipment. 

Legislation: 

Circular Concerning the Issue of Tax Credit for Business Income Tax for Homemade Equipment 

Purchased by Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises (Caishui No.49 of 2000) (see 

Exhibit-45); Circular on Printing and Distributing the Measures Concerning Business Income Tax Credit 

on the Investment of Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises by Way of Purchasing 

Homemade Equipment (Guoshuifa No.90 of 2000) (see Exhibit-46) 

Benefits: 

40% of the expenses incurred to purchase domestically-produced equipment that is within the total 

investment of the project, or beyond the total investment of the project but for the purpose of upgrading 

existing equipment, may be deducted from the increment in income tax in the year the equipment is 

purchased compared to the previous year. The deductible amount in a given year should not exceed the 

increment in income tax. If the deductible amount exceeds the income tax increment, the amount in 

excess may be deducted from the next year’s increment in income tax. Such postponement of 

deductibility shall not last more than five years. 

LIX. Preferential tax policies for domestic enterprises purchasing domestically-produced 

equipment for technology upgrading purpose. 

Legislation: 

Circular on Distribution of Interim Measures Concerning Reduction and Exemption of Enterprise Income 

Tax for Investment in Domestically Made Equipment for Technological Renovation (Caishui No.290 of 

1999) (see Exhibit-47) 

Benefits: 

For technology renovation projects consistent with national industrial policies, 40% of the expenses 

incurred to purchase domestically-produced equipment required in the projects may be deducted from the 

increment in income tax in the year the equipment is purchased compared to the previous year. The 

deductible amount in a given year should not exceed the increment in income tax. If the deductible 

amount exceeds the income tax increment, the amount in excess may be deducted from the next year’s 

increment in income tax. Such postponement of deductibility shall not last more than five years. 

LX. Exemption of tariff and import VAT for imported technologies and equipment. 

Legislation: 

Circular of the State Council Concerning the Adjustment in the Taxation Policy of Imported Equipment 

(GuoFa [1997] No.37) (see Exhibit-48) 

Benefits: 

Tariff and import VAT exemption for equipment purchased for self-use that is within the total investment 

of the project, excluding such equipment listed in the “Catalogue for the Imported Products Not Subject 

to Tax Exemption in Foreign Investment Projects” and the “Catalogue for the Imported Products Not 

Subject to Tax Exemption in Domestic Investment Projects.” 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 41 

IV. CONCERNS OF WTO MEMBERS ON CHINA’S SUBSIDIES TO THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY

China's subsidies practice has been one of the priority issues for China's trading partners. 

At the WTO, Members have been employing various platforms to voice their concerns, including 

the annual transitional review mechanism (TRM), submission of requests for information prior to 

China's subsidies notification, submission of follow-up questions in response to China's subsidies 

notification, and dispute settlement consultations. In these platforms, WTO Members have 

identified substantial subsidies relevant to the high-tech industry, many of which were not 

included in China’s subsidies notification. 

A. Subsidies Raised at the Transitional Review of China’s WTO Compliance

In the context of the annual transitional review of China's implementation of its WTO 

commitments by the Committee on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (2002-2006), several 

Members, such as the United States, the EU, and Japan, identified a wide range of subsidies 

granted at the central and local level that they believed conflict with China’s commitments not to 

provide subsidies contingent upon export performance or the use of domestic over imported goods, 

as well as other disciplines of the SCM Agreement. So as to ensure China’s compliance, they also 

sought clarification on many programs about which they had learned certain information. 

Concerns/questions raised by Members in their written submissions include subsidies specific to 

the high-tech industry as well as cross-industry subsidies applicable to the high-tech industry, as 

summarized below. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 42 

1. Subsidies Specific to the High-Tech Industry 

1. An MII program for the integrated circuit industry reported by the Chinese press that includes 40% 

VAT rebate contingent upon export performance, reduction in VAT charged to producers, 

preferential treatment in the purchase of raw materials and other types of financial support from the 

central government.60 --- U.S., 2002 TRM; WTO consistency is questioned

2. A program reported by the Chinese press that provides subsidized government support for the export 

of various high-tech products in the electronics, bio-medicine, and new materials sectors.61 --- U.S., 

2002 TRM; WTO consistency is questioned

3. Changes announced by NDRC on September 21, 2004 to the 2000 IC and software support policies – 

full VAT rebates on semiconductor exports, support in R&D and training.62 --- U.S. and Japan, 2004 

TRM

4. A plan of Wuhan city reported by International Herald Tribune (May 2006) to spend $1.5-$3.0 

billion to build a semiconductor plant that will make 12-inch wafers; the Semiconductor 

Manufacturing International Corp. will design, build and manage the plant.63 --- U.S., 2006 TRM

5. A new NDRC aid policy reported by China Daily (July 2006) for semiconductors – income tax 

deductions and exemptions; research loans and using research expenditures to offset taxes (in 

addition to the RMB 500 million fund previously established to help semiconductor companies’ 

research); tax reductions on imported equipment and a special fund for IC design.64 --- U.S., 2006 

TRM

2. Cross-industry Subsidies Applicable to the High-Tech Industry: Export-related 

1. As reported from the website of Shanghai Foreign Investment Center, export-oriented enterprises 

enjoy various preferential policies in the use of land, water, electricity, transportation, 

telecommunication, short-term funds and necessary loans, as well as local income tax exemption 

after expiration of normal income tax exemption if more than 70% of the production is exported.65 --- 

EU, 2003 TRM; WTO consistency is questioned

2. Income tax reduction by one half enjoyed by export-oriented foreign-invested companies if they 

export 70% of their production after expiration of normal income tax exemption and reduction; 

additional reduction for export-oriented companies located in special economic zones and economic 

 

60 Subsidies – Questions Posed by the United States to the People’s Republic of China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/2 (18 

October 2002). 61 Id. 

62 Questions from the United States to China Concerning Subsidies and Price Controls, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/8 (6 

October 2004); Request from Japan to China Pursuant to Article 25.8 of the Agreement on Subsidies and 

Countervailing Measures, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/10 (15 October 2004). 63 Questions from the United States to China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/23 (16 October 2006). 

64 Id. 

65 Questions Posed by the European Communities to the People’s Republic of China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/5 (2 

October 2003). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 43 

and technological development zones and other companies subject to the 15% tax rate that qualify 

under the above conditions. 66 --- Mexico, 2002 TRM; EU, 2005 TRM; WTO consistency is 

questioned

3. As reported by www.tdctrade.com and China Daily, the Shenzhen WTO affairs office sponsors a 

fund of more than 10 million yuan in order to reimburse up to 30% of legal fees incurred by local 

export companies facing anti-dumping lawsuits. 67 --- EU, 2004, 2005 and 2006 TRM; WTO 

consistency is questioned

4. As reported by www.tdctrade.com, the Guangdong provincial government supports private 

enterprises to “expand outward,” and eligible private enterprises may apply for special funds 

conceived for developing foreign trade activities. These funds include market exploration, export 

credit insurance, offshore processing trade project loan interest subsidy, export research and 

development fund, antidumping proceedings fund, export rebate account loan interest subsidy fund 

and outward-looking enterprises development fund.68 --- EU, 2004, 2005 and 2006 TRM; WTO 

consistency is questioned

5. As reported by www.tdctrade.com, the Export Interest Subsidy for Shenzhen Enterprises has been 

raised from 20% to 40%. The policy of subsidizing USD $0.03 for every USD $1 export of general 

merchandise is only applicable to merchandise procured in Shenzhen. SMEs with exports below 

USD $15 million are eligible to apply. Fund allocation is on a first-come-first-serve basis. The fund 

would provide RMB 800 million in 2004.69 --- EU, 2004, 2005 and 2006 TRM; WTO consistency is 

questioned 

6. As reported from Zhejiang province, an Export Subsidy Fund based on a federal program enables 

regional authorities to provide all exporting companies exporting more than USD $3 million with a 

subsidy of 0.01 RMB per each USD $ exceeding this threshold.70 --- EU, 2004, 2005 and 2006 TRM; 

WTO consistency is questioned

7. As reported by MOFCOM, Dalian Branch of the Export-Import Bank would provide RMB 5 billion 

of export credits to companies to enter global markets, and, since November 2003, “low-cost credit 

provided by the bank has saved the enterprises RMB 150 million interest.”71 --- U.S., 2005 TRM

8. Low-interest loans offered by China Exim Bank to finance manufacturing projects that are able to 

 66 Subsidies – Questions Posed by Mexico to the People’s Republic of China under its Protocol of Accession and 

Article 25.8 of the SCM Agreement, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/4 (4 November 2002); Questions from the European 

Communities to China with regards to China’s Transitional Review Mechanism on Subsidy Practices, 

G/SCM/Q2/CHN/12 (22 September 2005). 67 Questions from the European Communities to China with regards to China’s Transitional Review Mechanism on 

Subsidy Practices, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/7 (23 September 2004); Questions from the European Communities to 

China with regards to China’s Transitional Review Mechanism on Subsidy Practices, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/12 (22 

September 2005); Questions from the European Communities to China with regards to China’s Transitional 

Review Mechanism on Subsidy Practices, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/24 (20 October 2006). 

68 Id. 

69 Id. 

70 Id. 

71 Questions from the United States to China Concerning Subsidies and Price Controls, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/14 (29 

September 2005). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 44 

generate favorable economic returns with secured repayment capacity, that are tied to Chinese 

exports of mechanical and electronics products and complete sets of equipment, and that may be 

considered as official development assistance; companies implementing these projects should be 

medium-sized and large SOEs.72 --- U.S., 2006 TRM; WTO consistency is questioned

9. Preferential loans offered by China Exim Bank to selected SOEs in certain selected sectors, including 

construction, electronics, mechanical, high and new technology products/capital goods, and 

telecommunications and power equipment to support their international strategies – these preferences 

include preferential interest rates, longer than standard repayment terms, and waiver of certain fees.73

--- U.S., 2006 TRM; WTO consistency is questioned

10. Export credits offered by China Development Bank to support sectors considered to be essential to 

China’s long-term competitiveness and specifically for companies engaging in R&D, Chinese brand 

name companies and certain companies in overseas expansion. 74 --- U.S., 2006 TRM; WTO 

consistency is questioned 

3. Cross-industry Subsidies Applicable to the High-Tech Industry: 

SOEs and Regional Development 

1. Whether subsidies to state-owned enterprises operating at a loss have been ended and what decrees or 

government documents ended them.75 --- U.S., 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005 TRM; WTO consistency 

is questioned

2. Continued use of state-owned banks to keep non-viable SOEs afloat by writing off non-performing 

loans of SOEs as part of the Northeast revitalization program; one example is that Heilongjiang 

Province agreed to write off RMB 36 billion worth of non-performing loans of SOEs.76 --- U.S. 2004 

TRM; WTO consistency is questioned

3. Direct government intervention in manufacturing sectors in Northeast China – China’s State Property 

Commission reported China was carrying out “strategic restructuring and technical transformation of 

key enterprises in the areas of oil, petrochemical, iron and steel, automotive, shipbuilding and aircraft 

products manufacturing sectors in Northeast China in a bid to establish production bases of advantage 

industries.”77 --- U.S., 2005 TRM 

 72 Questions from the United States to China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/23 (16 October 2006). 73 Id. 

74 Id. 

75 Subsidies – Questions Posed by the United States to the People’s Republic of China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/2 (18 

October 2002); Subsidies – Questions Posed by the United States to the People’s Republic of China, 

G/SCM/Q2/CHN/6 (27 October 2003); Questions from the United States to China Concerning Subsidies and 

Price Controls, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/8 (6 October 2004); Questions from the United States to China Concerning 

Subsidies and Price Controls, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/14 (29 September 2005). 

76 Questions from the United States to China Concerning Subsidies and Price Controls, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/8 (6 

October 2004). 

77 Questions from the United States to China Concerning Subsidies and Price Controls, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/14 (29 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 45 

At the SCM Committee’s annual transitional reviews over the past five years, China 

addressed orally concerns/questions raised in Members’ written submissions. Members often 

expressed disappointment that some questions were left unanswered and that some responses 

provided by China were limited and unsatisfactory.78 

On the concerns related to subsidized government support for high-tech exports raised by 

the United States in 2002, China said it encouraged high-tech exports as a general policy but that 

no specific measure had been applied up to October 2002.79 With regard to the MII program on 

the IC industry, also raised by the United States in 2002, China held the opinion that the 

preferential tax policies were not based upon export performance and were adopted for a product 

or an industry regardless of the ownership of companies.80 On the reported changes to the aid 

policy for the IC industry, raised in later TRMs by the United States and Japan, China said that new 

policies were still under consideration and would be in accordance with WTO rules and the 

common practice of other countries.81 On the U.S. question regarding Wuhan city’s plan to build a 

semiconductor plant, China noted its failure to gather detailed information due to time constraints, 

but believed there was no subsidy involved in this project according to preliminary information.82

 September 2005). 78 See, e.g., Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/115 (22 

November 2004), at paras 60-61. 79 Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/M/49 (18 

November 2002). 80 Id. 

81 Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/115 (22 

November 2004); Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, 

G/SCM/119 (16 November 2006). 82 Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/119 (16 

November 2006). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 46 

In response to questions from Mexico and EU on the income tax reduction enjoyed by 

export-oriented foreign-invested enterprises, China noted that consistency of some provisions with 

the SCM Agreement was currently being reviewed and were also being examined in the context of 

China’s tax reform under preparation.83 According to China, a major step to be taken in the reform 

is to unify the income tax system for domestic enterprises and enterprises with foreign investment, 

following the principles of fair competition and national treatment.84

With respect to several export subsidy programs raised by the EU based on information 

from certain Chinese websites, China initially held the view that it had no obligation to verify 

information on non-official websites and that such information should not be used as a basis to 

make accusations against China’s policies.85 The EU found the answer disappointing and brought 

up the same questions in later TRMs. China only responded to one question related to the special 

funds provided by the Guangdong provincial government to support private enterprises in foreign 

trade activities, claiming that the program, which was aimed at promoting the participation of 

SMEs in the international market, did not constitute an export subsidy.86 

On the U.S. concern regarding subsidies provided to SOEs running at a loss, a concern 

raised at several TRMs, China insisted that such subsidies had already been eliminated since 2001, 

regardless of a 2003 press report noted by the United States that indicated China was still working 

 

83 Chairperson’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/118 (9 

November 2005); Chairperson’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, 

G/SCM/111 (18 November 2003). 84 Chairperson’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/118 (9 

November 2005). 85 Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/115 (22 

November 2004). 86 Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/119 (16 

November 2006). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 47 

to eliminate the subsidies.87 With regard to the U.S. concern on the continued use of state-owned 

banks to keep non-viable SOEs afloat, citing the example that Heilongjiang Province agreed to 

write off RMB 36 billion worth of non-performing loans to SOEs, China pointed out that the 

non-performing loans involved in the Heilongjiang example were only RMB 18 billion. China 

also noted that to restructure non-performing loans, creditor banks and debtor enterprises had 

negotiated a resolution themselves; creditor banks followed commercial principles and the 

government would neither assume the losses nor provide subsidies to the creditor banks.88 With 

regard to the direct government intervention of the State Property Commission raised by the 

United States, China stated that the policy on the strategic restructuring and technical 

transformation of key enterprises was just a guideline focusing on the reform and reconstruction 

and was not mandatory.89 

With regard to several U.S. questions related to export credit provided by state-owned 

banks to certain companies and sectors on preferential terms, China stated that the export credit 

business of the China Export and Import Bank was consistent with the provisions of the SCM 

Agreement, and the export credit adopted by the China Development Bank was a market-oriented 

business.90

 

87 Chairperson’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/111 (18 

November 2003). 88 Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/115 (22 

November 2004). 

89 Chairperson’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/118 (9 

November 2005). 

90 Chairman’s Report to the Council for Trade in Goods on Transitional Review of China, G/SCM/119 (16 

November 2006). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 48 

B. Subsidies Raised in the Request for Information Prior to China’s Subsidies 

Notification 

Prior to China’s first subsidies notification, China’s failure to fulfill this obligation in a 

timely manner had been a chronic complaint of China’s trading partners. Given China’s lack of 

transparency in reporting its subsidies, on October 5, 2004, pursuant to Article 25.8 of the SCM 

Agreement, the United States submitted a written request91 to China for information on the nature 

and extent of certain subsidies granted or maintained by China. In the submission, the United 

States identified an array of subsidies contingent upon export performance and the use of domestic 

over imported goods as well as other types of subsidies across industries. From the U.S. 

submission, the following are subsidies applicable or specific to the high-tech industry. 

1. Subsidies Contingent upon Export Performance 

Prohibited under Art. 3.1(a) of the SCM Agreement 

1) Honorable Enterprises 

Article 3 of the Detailed Rules for Reward and Punishment for the Trial Implementation Measures 

for Appraising Foreign Exchange Receipts for Exports, describes the criteria that an enterprise must 

meet to be considered an "honorable enterprise for foreign exchange receipts." One criterion is an 

annual export volume of over USD $200 million. Articles 5 and 6 of this measure describe benefits 

that honorable enterprises enjoy, including preferential access to foreign trade funds. Commercial 

bank lending rates for honorable enterprises can also be lowered up to 10% based on the lending rates 

fixed by the People's Bank of China. 

2) Export-Contingent Tax Reduction for FIEs in Special Zones 

Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) located within Special Economic Zones, Economic 

Technological Development Zones, Open Coastal Economic Zones and Old Urban Areas that export 

at least 70% of their production are assessed the lowest rate of the national income tax, i.e., 10%. 

FIEs which do not meet the 70% export requirement are taxed at rates of 12%, 15% or 24%. The 

relevant measure is the Detailed Implementation Rules of the Income Tax Law of China of Foreign 

Investment Enterprises and Foreign Enterprises (issued on June 30, 1991). 

3) Income Tax Refund for Foreign Investors Investing in Export-Oriented Businesses 

Foreign investors in FIEs that reinvest their profits in export-oriented businesses for at least five 

 

91 Request from the United States to China Pursuant to Article 25.8 of the Agreement on Subsidies and 

Countervailing Measures, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/9 (6 October 2004). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 49 

consecutive years qualify for a 100% refund of the income tax paid on the amount of reinvestment. 

On the other hand, foreign investors that reinvest in non-export-oriented businesses in China for at 

least five years qualify for only a 40% refund of income tax paid on the amount of reinvestment. This 

program is described in the Detailed Implementation Rules of the Income Tax Law of China of 

Foreign Investment Enterprises and Foreign Enterprises. 

4) Export Subsidies for High-Technology Products 

MOFCOM, MOST and MII administer a program designed to increase exports of high-tech products 

and offer subsidies to export-oriented firms in the electronics, bio-medical, new materials and other 

high-technology sectors. 

5) Customs Duty and VAT Refund on Imported Capital Equipment Used for Production of 

Products for Export 

Enterprises that import capital equipment used exclusively to produce export products are eligible to 

receive a full refund of customs duties and VAT on the imported capital equipment. Enterprises 

receive 20% of the tax refund each year the equipment is used exclusively for export production, 

resulting in a full tax refund at the end of a five-year period. Enterprises that wish to receive this tax 

refund are investigated every year for five consecutive years to verify that the equipment is used only 

for export. 

6) Guangdong Grants Provided for Export Performance 

The Guangdong provincial government has introduced a program to provide RMB 25 million in 

grants over five years to export-oriented companies meeting specific export targets. 

2. Subsidies Contingent upon the Use of Domestic over Imported Goods 

Prohibited under Art. 3.1(b) of the SCM Agreement 

1) VAT Rebate on Purchases of Domestic Equipment by Foreign-invested Companies 

Pursuant to the Notice of the Trial-Implementation Measures for the Administration of Tax Refund on 

Domestic Equipment Purchased by Enterprises with Foreign Investment (issued on August 20, 

1999), a full VAT rebate is provided to manufacturers that purchase domestically-made machinery 

and equipment through the end of 2010. 

2) Enterprise Income Tax Reduction for Purchase of Domestically-Made Machinery and 

Equipment by Foreign-invested Companies 

According to paragraph 1 of the Notice Concerning Some Issues on the Deduction of the Investment 

Made by Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises in Purchasing Domestic 

Equipment from Enterprise Income Tax (issued on 14 January 2000), 40% of the cost of purchasing 

domestic equipment in a given year may be deducted from the increment of enterprise income tax in 

the year the equipment is purchased compared to the previous year 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 50 

3. Other Programs That Provide Subsidies as Defined in Art.1 of the SCM Agreement 

and Are Specific Within the Meaning of Art.2 of the SCM Agreement 

1) Assumption of Interest on Loans for Technology Upgrades 

Chinese government pays interest expenses on bank loans for the technology upgrades of 

state-owned enterprises. Recipients include the textile, petrochemical and paper industries, but may 

include other industries as well. 

2) Chengdu Assistance to the Semiconductor Industry 

The Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation and the city government of Chengdu 

signed an agreement on July 16, 2004 to invest USD $175 million in building a chip assembly and 

testing plant. The Chengdu city government is the majority shareholder in this project, and is slated 

to purchase the land if the investment reaches a certain amount and will subsidize the investor's bank 

loan for fixed assets.

Article 25.9 of the SCM Agreement provides that members receiving requests shall 

“provide such information as quickly as possible and in a comprehensive manner.” So far, China 

has not responded in writing to the U.S. request. The United States noted that, while some of the 

programs identified in the request were included in China’s subsidies notification, many of them 

were not.92

C. Subsidies Raised in the Submissions of Follow-Up Questions in Response to 

China’s Subsidies Notification 

Following China’s subsidies notification in April 2006, concerns have been raised among 

WTO Members that there are a large number of subsidy programs being used which have not been 

properly notified. For example, China did not notify subsidies provided at the provincial and local 

government levels nor subsidies provided through state-owned banks. The United States, the EU, 

Japan, Canada, Australia, Mexico and Turkey have filed submissions in response to China’s 

notification, seeking further information on the notified subsidies, and raising additional subsidy 

 

92 Questions from the United States Regarding the New and Full Notification of China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/19 (26 

July 2006). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 51 

programs omitted in China’s notification, including many that appear to be prohibited under WTO 

rules. Additional subsidy programs that are specific and applicable to the high-tech industry 

include the following:93

1. Subsidies Specific to the High-Tech Industry 

1. Export Contingent Support to the Software and IC Industries

Article 12 of the Policies For Encouraging the Development of Software and Integrated Circuit 

Industries (issued on July14, 2000), provides credits at favorable interest rates to exports of 

software will be incorporated into the import and export banking business in China. --- U.S.; WTO 

consistency is questioned 

2. Provisional Measures for the Administration of the Specific Project Funds for R&D of the IC 

Industry 

According to the Provisional Measures for the Administration of the Specific Project Funds for 

Research and Development of the Integrated Circuits Industry (issued on March 23, 2005), Chinese 

firms in the integrated circuit industry may receive grants equal to 50% of their research and 

development expenditures. --- U.S.

3. Hynix Large Scale Integrated Circuit Project in Wuxi, China 

Information available to the United States indicates that Hynix, the Korean semiconductor 

manufacturer, received approval in 2004 to build a semiconductor manufacturing plant in the Wuxi 

Export Processing Zone in Jiangsu Province, China. Chinese banks will finance USD $1 billion or 

half of the investment through debt and long-term leasehold. --- U.S.

4. “Five-Plus-Five” Income Tax Incentive for Integrated Circuit Companies in Certain 

Locations 

Information available to the United States indicates that integrated circuit manufacturing 

companies located in Hainan Island, Shanghai Pudong New District and Western China, with 

operational terms not less than fifteen years, are eligible for a full income tax exemption for their 

first five years of operation, followed by a 50% income tax reduction for the next five years. The 

exemptions and reductions begin in the company’s first profitable year. --- U.S.

5. Beijing Economic Technological Investment Development Corp. 

Information available to the United States indicates that the government-owned Beijing Economic 

Technological Investment Development Corp. has provided an estimated USD $3 million 

interest-free, dollar-denominated, short-term loan to Semiconductor Manufacturing International 

Corporation (SMIC), a Chinese semiconductor manufacturer. --- U.S.

 

93 For subsidies raised by the United States, see Questions from the United States Regarding the New and Full 

Notification of China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/19 (26 July 2006); for subsidies raised by the EU, see Subsidies – 

Questions from the European Communities Regarding the New and Full Notification of China, 

G/SCM/Q2/CHN/16 (25 July 2006); for subsidies raised by Canada, see Subsidies – Questions from Canada 

Regarding the New and Full Notification of China, G/SCM/Q2/CHN/18 (26 July 2006). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 52 

6. Opinions Concerning Promoting Export of Pharmaceutical Products 

Information available to the United States indicates that this program, announced in early 

December 2005 by the Ministry of Commerce and seven others ministries, provides the following 

benefits: assistance in establishing international pharmaceutical export bases, creating famous 

export brands that hold certain market share in the international market, encouraging risk funds to 

invest in pharmaceutical R&D, and promoting intellectual property rights protection. --- U.S.; 

WTO consistency is questioned

7. Wuxi Aid to Exporters 

Information available to the United States indicates that under this program the Wuxi government 

will provide grants up to RMB 100,000 to high-tech companies with an export value of over USD 

$5 million. --- U.S.; WTO consistency is questioned

8. Provisional Measures for the Administration of State High Technology Development 

Projects 

Information available to the United States indicates that under the Provisional Measures for the 

Administration of State High Technology Development Projects (issued on March 2, 2006)

investment and interest loan subsidies will be provided to high-tech industries in the form of grants. 

--- U.S.

2. Cross-Industry Subsidies Applicable to the High-Tech Industry 

1. Export Contingent Support for Famous Name Brand Products* 

On January 26, 2005, MOFCOM identified 190 Chinese famous brands in six industrial fields 

eligible for export promotion for years 2005-2006. In order to increase Chinese name brand 

exports and limit its reliance on foreign name brand exports, the Chinese Government is offering 

the following incentives: 

y An Export Brands Development Fund to develop and promote designated exports. 

y Preferential funding for research and development products. 

y Support for technology to strengthen the competitiveness of famous brand exports. 

y Special assistance for domestic brand name enterprises to establish state-level R&D centers. 

y Simplified loan application procedures and easy access to export credit insurance. 

Similar or implementing programs offered at the central or sub-central government levels include: 

y According to a circular issued on March 24, 2005 by the State Administration for Quality 

Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), AQSIQ requested that local bureaus provide 

benefits to firms that apply for designation as a Chinese-made world famous brand such as 

“honorific titles,” financial support and export credit guarantees. Designated firms must be the 

top producer and exporter within their industry, export to multiple foreign markets and have 

annual exports of over USD $50 million. 

y Information available to the United States indicates that in early December 2005, MOFCOM 

announced a program called “Six Initiatives to Promote Domestic Name Brand Exports.” 

Some aspects of the initiatives include: choosing specific domestic name brands to support; 

creating policies to support those firms; helping those firms expand abroad; and working with 

the Ministry of Finance to appropriate RMB 700 million to support these firms’ research and 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 53 

development activities. 

y A program was announced on February 3, 2005 by the Jiangsu Province Famous Brand 

Strategy Promotion Committee which selected 515 products as “Jiangsu Province Famous 

Brand Products.” 

y The Wuxi government allows enterprises obtaining the “Famous Export Brands to be Nurtured 

and Supported” to receive incentives from Wuxi city. 

y The government of Shishi County in Fujian province announced an initiative including a 

one-time prize to any Shishi company accorded the central government’s “famous export 

brand” designation. 

--- U.S.; WTO consistency is questioned 

2. Certain local export-related awards 

Information available to the United States indicates that various Chinese government entities at the 

sub-central levels provide awards and direct payments for exports by a wide-range of industries. 

There are regional programs that tie monetary awards solely to the amount exported or to a 

percentage growth above the previous year’s export totals. Examples include: 

(a) Awards Tied to Amount Exported or Export Growth. The Xiamen City government awards a 

one-time monetary award to all companies with Chinese brand name exports over USD $100 

million as well as year-on-year percentage growth of at least 5%. 

(b) Direct Benefits to Processing Trade Exporters. A Changxing County government program in 

Zhejiang in which the province provides monetary awards to all processing trade export 

enterprises for trade of over USD $3 million per year. 

(c) Award for High Year-on-Year Export Growth. A program in Zibo City’s Zhoucun District 

provides awards based on the percentage of export growth over the previous year. 

(d) Awards to Year’s Top 10 Exporters. A program in Yueqing City in Zhejiang Province awards 

the city’s top 10 exporters (exports of over USD $10 million) prizes of RMB 100,000. 

(e) Reward for Each Dollar Exported. An export program detailed on the website of Lishui City in 

Zhejiang Province establishes a monetary award for each dollar exported. 

--- U.S.; WTO consistency is questioned

3. Income Tax Reduction for Certain Encouraged Enterprises 

According to Article 73.6 of the Rules for the Implementation of the Income Tax Law, an income 

tax reduction is available to foreign enterprises with foreign investment engaged in projects 

“encouraged” by the State. One “encouraged” category is “Permitted foreign-funded projects 

whose products are to be wholly exported directly.” --- U.S.; WTO consistency is questioned

4. Free Land Given as Part of Foreign Investment Projects 

The Yinchuan government grants foreign investors, which meet certain investment conditions, land 

valued at twice the amount of an investor’s original investment. --- U.S.

5. Ningbo City Key Industry Technological Development Fund 

According to the MOFCOM website, Ningbo city has set up a RMB one billion special fund to 

support four fast-growing key industries, namely, electronic information, new materials, auto/auto 

parts and machinery production industries. The purpose of the fund is to assist key industries in 

their technological upgrading projects, expand their sales and assist companies in applying to be 

considered a national famous brand. The maximum subsidy for a qualified enterprise or project is 

RMB five million. --- U.S.
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 54 

6. Incentives to Pillar Industries in Tianjin 

Information available to the United States indicates that Tianjin city plans to allocate RMB 160 

billion (USD $19.2 billion) of investment to 560 projects related to six pillar industries in 2005, 

including the IT industry, the chemical and metallurgical sector, the automotive industry, 

biotechnology and modern pharmaceutical industry, and the energy and environmental protection 

sector. --- U.S.

7. Preferential Loans Provided by the Chinese Government 

According to a document posted by the Jiangsu Province Tax Bureau in September 2004 entitled 

“Tax Reimbursement Regime on Exported Goods in China,” exported goods that are 

“manufactured by using preferential loans of the Chinese government” will be “given approval to 

reimburse or exempt VAT or consumption tax due to some special features such as . . . turnover 

linkages and settlement methods, etc.” --- U.S.

8. VAT refunds on domestic equipment purchases for foreign-invested enterprises 

This is provided for in Art. 4 of the Interim Measure for the Administration of Tax Refund to 

Enterprises with Foreign Investment for their Domestic Equipment Purchases. --- EU, Canada; 

WTO consistency is questioned

9. Exemption from mandatory worker benefit contribution 

Foreign-invested enterprises that export more than 50% of their products, or utilize foreign 

advanced technology to produce products for export, are exempt from mandatory contributions that 

help the Chinese government pay for worker/staff benefits, according to Art. 3 of the Provisions of 

the State Council on the Encouragement of Foreign Investment. --- EU, Canada; WTO consistency 

is questioned

10. Income tax exemption on profits made by certain FIEs 

Profits distributed to foreign investors by foreign-invested enterprises that export more than 50% of 

their products, or that utilize foreign advanced technology to produce products for export, are 

exempt from income tax, according to Art. 7 of the Provisions of the State Council on the 

Encouragement of Foreign Investment. --- EU, Canada; WTO consistency is questioned

11. Consolidated and commercial tax exemption on products exported by FIEs 

Export products of enterprises with foreign investment, except crude oil, oil products and other 

products subject to special State provisions, shall be exempt from the consolidated and commercial 

tax, according to Art. 11 of the Provisions of the State Council on the Encouragement of Foreign 

Investment. --- Canada; WTO consistency is questioned

12. Import licensing exemption on products imported by FIEs to produce goods for export 

This subsidy is provided for in Art. 13 of the Provisions of the State Council on the Encouragement 

of Foreign Investment. --- Canada; WTO consistency is questioned

13. Discounted lending rates for FIEs meeting certain export criteria 

Foreign-invested enterprises that meet certain export criteria receive a 10% discount on lending 

rates from the People's Bank of China, according to Art. 6 of the Detailed Rules on Rewarding and 

Punishment Concerning Provisional Regulations over Examination of Export Collections of 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 55 

Foreign Exchange. --- EU, Canada; WTO consistency is questioned

14. Repayment tax exemption on certain products generated by FIEs 

By-products, substandard products and leftover industrial surplus generated by FIEs while 

producing goods for export, are exempt from repayment tax when sold domestically. Such 

products, if generated while producing goods for domestic consumption, are not exempt. This 

subsidy is provided for in Art. 20 of the Measures of the Customs of China on the Control over and 

the Levy and Exemption of Tax for Import and Export Goods of Enterprises with Foreign 

Investment [Decree 1992 No. 29 of the General Administration of Customs]. --- EU, Canada; WTO 

consistency is questioned

15. VAT expenses exemption and deduction 

Based on the EU’s experience in anti-dumping cases, it seems that certain levels of production are 

exempt from paying VAT and that traders were able to deduct VAT expenses even though their 

suppliers did not charge and pay VAT.--- EU; WTO consistency is questioned

16. The Central Foreign Trade Development Fund 

Information available to Canada shows that the Central Foreign Trade Development Fund, 

established in 1996, is managed by the provinces under the direction of MOFCOM and that a 

Chinese bank, the ICBC, is responsible for managing the transactions under this Fund. The alleged 

purpose of the Fund is: to regulate and promote foreign trade; to encourage the development and 

export of new electronic, deep-processing, high-tech and high value-added products; and to 

increase Chinese export capacity and competitiveness. --- Canada

To date, China has not responded to the follow-up questions and additional subsidies raised 

by WTO Members. 

D. The U.S. Request for Dispute Settlement Consultation with China over 

Prohibited Subsidies 

On February 2, 2007, the United States filed a formal request at the WTO for consultation 

with China with regard to certain prohibited subsidies.94 In the request, the United States 

identified nine measures granting refunds, reductions, or exemptions from taxes or other payments, 

which are designed to subsidize exports of manufactured goods and encourage the purchase of 

domestic over imported equipment and manufacturing inputs. According to the United States, 

 

94 China – Certain Measures Granting Refunds, Reductions or Exemptions from Taxes and Other Payments – 

Request for Consultations by the United States, WT/DS358/1 (7 February 2007). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 56 

these measures are inconsistent with the WTO rules, including Article 3 of the SCM Agreement 

which prohibits subsidies contingent upon export performance and the purchase of domestic over 

imported goods. The USTR noted in its news release on the WTO action that these subsidies tilt 

the playing field in China’s favor and unfairly impact American manufacturers and workers, 

especially small- and medium-sized companies.95 

The subsidies at issue are not specifically designed for the high-tech industry, but are 

applicable across industries including high-tech. The following table is a summary of benefits 

offered under each of the nine measures: 

1. Legislation: Circular of the State 

Administration of Taxation Concerning 

Transmitting the Interim Measure for the 

Administration of Tax Refunds to Enterprises 

with Foreign Investment for Their Domestic 

Equipment Purchases (see Exhibit-44)

Benefit: Full VAT refund available to 

foreign-invested companies for the purchase of 

Chinese-produced equipment.

2. Legislation: Circular of the Ministry of 

Finance and the State Administration of 

Taxation Concerning the Issue of Tax Credit 

for Business Income Tax for Homemade 

Equipment Purchased by Enterprises with 

Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises 

(see Exhibit-45), read in conjunction with 

Circular of the State Administration of 

Taxation on Printing and Distributing the 

Measures Concerning Business Income Tax 

Credit on the Investment of Enterprises with 

Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises 

by Way of Purchasing Homemade Equipment 

(see Exhibit-46)

Benefit: Income tax reduction available to 

foreign-invested companies for the purchase of 

Chinese-produced equipment. 

Foreign-invested companies may deduct 40% of 

the cost of purchasing domestically-produced 

equipment that is within the total investment of 

the project, or beyond the total investment of the 

project but for the purpose of upgrading the 

existing equipment, from the increment in income 

tax in the year the equipment is purchased 

compared to the previous year. The deductible 

amount in a given year should not exceed the 

increment in income tax. If the deductible amount 

exceeds the income tax increment, the amount in 

excess may be deducted from the next year’s 

increment in income tax. Such postponement of 

deductibility shall not last more than five years.

 

95 United States Files WTO Case Against China Over Prohibited Subsidies, USTR news release (February 2, 2007), 

available at http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2007/January/United_States_Files_WTO_ 

Case_Against_China_Over_Prohibited_Subsidies.html. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 57 

3. Legislation: Circular on Distribution of 

Interim Measures Concerning Reduction and 

Exemption of Enterprise Income Tax for 

Investment in Domestically Made Equipment 

for Technological Renovation (see

Exhibit-47) 

Benefit: Income tax reduction available to 

Chinese companies for the purchase of 

Chinese- produced equipment. 

For technology renovation projects consistent 

with the national industrial policies, 40% of the 

cost to purchase domestically-produced 

equipment required in the projects can be 

deducted from the increment in income tax in the 

year the equipment is purchased compared to the 

previous year. The deductible amount in a given 

year should not exceed the increment in income 

tax. If the deductible amount exceeds the income 

tax increment, the amount in excess may be 

deducted from the next year’s increment in 

income tax. Such postponement of deductibility 

shall not last more than five years. 

4. Legislation: Articles 75(7) and 75(8) of the 

Rules for Implementation of the Income Tax 

Law of the People's Republic of China on 

Enterprises with Foreign Investment and 

Foreign Enterprises (see Exhibit-29), read in 

conjunction with Articles 8 and 9 of the 

Provisions of the State Council on the 

Encouragement of Foreign Investment (see 

Exhibit-49) and Articles 6 and 8 of the 

Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of 

China on Enterprises with Foreign 

Investment and Foreign Enterprises (see 

Exhibit-7)

Benefit: Income tax reduction available to 

foreign-invested companies that satisfy certain 

export performance requirements. 

After the expiration of the normal reduction or 

exemption of income tax (i.e., two-free and 

three-half) for production-oriented FIEs, 

foreign-invested exporting companies can pay 

income tax at one-half of the present rate, 

provided 70% of their products are exported. 

Companies located in special economic zones and 

economic and technological development zones 

and other companies subject to the 15% income 

tax rate that comply with the foregoing 

conditions, shall pay income tax at 10%. After the 

normal reduction or exemption of income tax (i.e., 

two-free and three-half) expires, technologicallyadvanced companies may enjoy for an additional 

three years the rate reduced by one-half. 

5. Legislation: Article 73(6) of the Rules for 

Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the 

People's Republic of China on Enterprises 

with Foreign Investment and Foreign 

Enterprises (see Exhibit-29), read in 

conjunction with Articles 6 and 7 of the 

Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of 

China on Enterprises with Foreign 

Investment and Foreign Enterprises (see

Exhibit-7) and Section XIII of the Catalogue 

for the Guidance of Foreign Investment 

Benefit: Income tax reduction available to 

foreign-invested companies that satisfy certain 

export performance requirements. 

Foreign-invested companies engaged in industries 

allowed by the State that export all of their 

products may pay a reduced income tax of 15%. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 58 

Industries (see Exhibit-50) 

6. Legislation: Article 81 of the Rules for 

Implementation of the Income Tax Law of the 

People's Republic of China on Enterprises 

with Foreign Investment and Foreign 

Enterprises (see Exhibit-29), read in 

conjunction with Articles 6 and 10 of the 

Income Tax Law of the People's Republic of 

China on Enterprises with Foreign 

Investment and Foreign Enterprises (see 

Exhibit-7)and Article 10 of the Provisions of 

the State Council on the Encouragement of 

Foreign Investment(see Exhibit-49) 

Benefit: Income tax refund available to 

foreign-invested companies that satisfy certain 

export performance requirements. 

Foreign investors who reinvest their profits to 

establish or expand exporting companies or 

technologically-advanced companies for a period 

of operation of not less than five years shall be 

refunded the total amount of income tax already 

paid on the reinvested portion. 

7. Legislation: Article 3 of the Provisions of the 

State Council on the Encouragement of 

Foreign Investment (see Exhibit-49)

Benefit: Exemptions from mandatory worker 

benefit contributions available to foreigninvested companies that satisfy certain export 

performance requirements.

Foreign-invested “product export enterprises” and 

technologically-advanced enterprises shall be 

exempt from payment to the State of all subsidies 

to staff and workers, except for the payment or 

allocation of funds for labor insurance, welfare 

expenses and housing subsidies for Chinese staff 

and workers in accordance with the provisions of 

the State. "Product Export Enterprises" are 

defined as enterprises "whose products are mainly 

export" that also have a foreign exchange surplus. 

8. Legislation: Articles 3 and 6 of the Circular 

of the People's Bank of China, the State 

Administration of Foreign Exchange, the 

Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic 

Cooperation and the State Administration of 

Taxation Concerning Printing and 

Distribution Detailed Rules on Rewarding 

and Punishment Concerning Provisional 

Regulations over Examination of Export 

Collections of Foreign Exchange (see

Exhibit-51)

Benefit: Discounted lending rates available to 

companies that satisfy certain export 

performance requirements. 

"Honorable Enterprises for Collection of Export 

Receipts of Foreign Exchange" may receive up to 

a 10% reduction in lending rates of RMB loans 

extended by commercial banks based on the 

lending rates fixed by the People's Bank of China. 

"Honorable Enterprises” are defined as 

enterprises with annual exports exceeding $200 

million in value and that meet certain other 

conditions related to foreign exchange and export 

receipt verification forms. 

9. Legislation: Circular of the State Council 

Concerning the Adjustment in the Taxation 

Policy of Imported Equipment (see

Benefit: VAT and tariff exemption available to 

foreign-invested companies that satisfy certain 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 59 

Exhibit-48), read in conjunction with Section 

XIII of the Catalogue for the Guidance of 

Foreign Investment Industries (see

Exhibit-50) 

export performance requirements. 

For foreign-invested companies engaged in 

industries allowed by the State that export all of 

their products, equipment purchased for self-use 

shall be exempt from tariff and import VAT.

According to a February 28, 2007 notice issued by the People's Bank of China, the State 

Administration of Foreign Exchange, the Ministry of Commerce and the State Administration of 

Taxation, measure 8 in the above table, i.e., the Circular of the People's Bank of China, the State 

Administration of Foreign Exchange, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation 

and the State Administration of Taxation Concerning Printing and Distribution Detailed Rules on 

Rewarding and Punishment Concerning Provisional Regulations over Examination of Export 

Collections of Foreign Exchange, which grants discounted lending rates to companies contingent 

upon export performance, was to be abolished as of March 8, 2007.96 

On March 16, 2007, the Fifth Session of the Tenth National People’s Congress approved 

China's new Enterprise Income Tax Law (see Exhibit-8). The new law will come into effect as of 

January 1, 2008; in the meantime, the 1991 Income Tax Law of the People’s Republic of China for 

Enterprises with Foreign Investment and Foreign Enterprises as referenced in measures 4, 5 and 6, 

as well as the 1993 Provisional Regulations on Income Tax Law for Enterprises has been annulled. 

Under the existing system, Chinese domestic enterprises pay a 33% income tax while 

foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) on average enjoy a preferential tax rate of about 15%. The new 

law equalizes the income tax rate for foreign and domestic enterprises at 25% to create a level 

playing field. FIEs will no longer be able to enjoy the broadly-granted tax holidays, and will be 

 

96 Notice [2007] No.7 of the People's Bank of China, the State Administration of Foreign Exchange, the Ministry of 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 60 

subject to the same tax incentives as domestic enterprises, such as tax breaks for companies in the 

State-encouraged sectors. The new system provides for a five-year phase-in period under which 

FIEs in existence before the new law takes effect are allowed a gradual transition from the existing 

preferential tax rate to the new rate. In addition, FIEs that are currently enjoying preferential 

treatment in the form of tax reduction or exemption may continue to enjoy such treatment until the 

end of the preferential treatment period. Implementing rules will be developed to further define 

the new policy. 

To date, China has not released official plans to abolish other legislation granting the 

prohibited subsidies in question. 

 Commerce and the State Administration of Taxation (see Exhibit-52). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 61 

V. VIEWPOINTS OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS, INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATIONS AND 

OTHER INTERESTED PARTIES ON CHINA’S SUBSIDIES TO THE HIGH-TECH INDUSTRY

In addition to monitoring by WTO Members countries, international organizations and 

industrial associations, as well as other interested parties, also have a strong interest in monitoring 

China’s subsidies practice in general and specific measures to support the high-tech industry in 

particular. 

The OECD, in its study of science and technology policy developments in non-member 

economies, described China’s policy efforts to enhance the country’s innovation capacity as 

follows: 

China’s plan to become a major innovation economy by 2020 is 

probably the most significant as it will launch a series of reforms 

and strategic projects to make research and innovation the motor of 

its new economic development strategy.97

With respect to specific measures to support research and innovation, the OECD noted 

subsidized loans, tax incentives and funding for venture capital, as discussed below: 

The China Development Bank for example provides subsidized 

loans for firms in high-tech export industries.... China’s new tax 

incentive policy will allow firms to use 150% of its spending on 

R&D to offset income taxes. The part that is not offset in any 

current year can be carried forward for the next five years. The new 

policy also encourages companies to accelerate depreciation of 

research-related facilities. Moreover, local governments in the 

national high-tech industrial development zones are authorized to 

offer two-year exemptions of income tax to newly founded 

high-tech enterprises, which could also apply for the favorable 

income tax rate at 15% in the following two years. 

*** 

China encourages relevant central government departments and 

local governments to create seed funding for venture capital and to 

 

97 OECD, Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2006, at page 88. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 62 

facilitate the flow of funds available to venture capital funds. It now 

also allows insurance and investment companies to invest in venture 

capital funds and it provides tax incentives for venture capital 

enterprises that focus on supporting start-ups in high and new 

technology industries.98 

U.S. industry associations in the high-tech sector have voiced many concerns that China’s 

subsidies have disadvantaged their members. For example, the National Electrical Manufacturers 

Association (NEMA) has had a long-term complaint over subsidized purchases of raw materials 

that give Chinese electrical exports an unfair competitive edge. In its 2006 comments on China’s 

WTO compliance, NEMA reiterated the concern as follows: 

Potentially “subsidized” product coming into the US: some of our 

members have noted competition from extremely low-priced 

Chinese electrical imports. Since the goods in question are 

frequently not labor-intensively produced, these member companies 

are concerned that the Chinese government may be subsidizing the 

purchase of raw materials and/or providing them below cost via 

state-owned enterprises. China has made WTO accession 

commitment regarding state-trading enterprises and subsidies; we 

trust the USG will join us in encouraging China to meet and keep 

those commitments...99

The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has also been closely monitoring 

Chinese government subsidies. In its submission for the 2005 National Trade Estimate Report on 

Foreign Trade Barriers, while welcoming China’s repeal of its VAT rebate to semiconductors 

manufactured in China as a result of the U.S.-China WTO consultation, SIA expressed concerns 

over new industry-targeted measures under contemplation: 

The proposed semiconductor-specific policy reportedly consists of 

four key elements: 1) establish a special development fund of RMB 

 

98 Id. at pages 88-89. 

99 NEMA Comments on China’s WTO Compliance (July 2006), available at http://www.nema.org/ 

gov/trade/positions/upload/6july25chinatrm.pdf. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 63 

0.5-1 billion (approx. $60.4-120.8 million) allocated from the 

Ministry of Finance to the chip industry every year; 2) create a 

personnel training fund of RMB 10-100 billion (approx. $1.2-12.08 

billion) annually for the industry; 3) relax income taxes from two 

years of tax-free followed by three years of half tax to five years of 

tax free followed by five years of half tax (or possibly ten years of 

tax-free); and 4) provide 1% discount on loans for new investments. 

Since details on these policies are still emerging, SIA urges USTR 

to closely monitor any potential new Chinese government measures 

designed to encourage the development of the semiconductor 

industry. Any promotional measures should be developed and 

implemented in a transparent manner and be fully consistent with 

China’s WTO obligations. 

In particular, the development fund must be implemented with full 

transparency to ensure that it does not amount to a pass-back of the 

VAT that otherwise would have been rebated to domestic firms. 

The Chinese government must establish a clear and public notice 

procedure for disbursement from the fund, and a list of recipients, 

amounts, and purposes should be publicly available. Further, this 

fund should not have the effect of distorting trade or investment by 

directly supporting product development or equipment purchase. If 

such a fund is established, it should instead focus on 

pre-competitive R&D activities and be open to participation of 

foreign firms.100 

In testimony before the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission on China’s 

WTO Compliance and Industrial Subsidies, Dr. Usha C.V. Haley, Director of the Global Business 

Center at the University of New Haven, noted that subsidies in China exist in all industries 

considered economically or militarily strategic, including resource extraction, steel, computing, 

software, R&D, environmental services and conservation, and autos.101 According to Dr. Haley, 

 

100 Comments of the Semiconductor Industry Association for the 2005 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign 

Trade Barriers – China (December 21, 2004), available at http://www.sia-online.org/downloads/ 

2005_NTE_China_Comments.pdf. 101 Statement of Dr. Usha C.V. Haley, Director of Global Business Center of University of New Haven, before the 

US-China Economic and Security Review Commission during the Hearing on China’s WTO Compliance: 

Industrial Subsidies and the Impact on U.S. and World Markets (April 4, 2006), available at 

http://www.uscc.gov/hearings/2006hearings/written_testimonies/06_04_04wrts/06_04_04_haley.php. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 64 

the subsidies take such forms as free or low-cost loans, asset injections, no break-even,102

subsidized purchases of components and raw materials, international bargaining power,103 labor 

controls, tax breaks, energy and land subsidies, sectoral credit allocation, stock listings,104 cheap 

technology and control over distribution channels. He also highlighted in his statement China’s 

use of subsidies to build national champions:

Specifically, the Chinese government wants its own global stars. 

The SASAC, which oversees SOEs, has the mandate to transform 

30-50 SOEs into globally competitive national champions by 2010. 

These include PetroChina, ChinaMobile, Sinopec, CNOOC, 

Baosteel, China Aluminum, Shanghai Auto, Lenovo, TCL, and 

Quingdao Haier. Korea’s chaebol, rather than Japan’s keiretsu 

provide the guiding model for China’s policy on industrial subsidies: 

through subsidies, the state helps the national champions to 

diversify their range of businesses and to link more closely to the 

state. 

Among the 10 selected companies listed above, three of them, namely Lenovo, TCL and Qingdao 

Haier, are from the high-tech sector.

 

102 In Dr. Haley’s statement, “no break-even” is explained as “poor bookkeeping practices, and lax bottom-line 

considerations, grant SOEs freedom from the need to make profits, or to break even.” 103 In Dr. Haley’s statement, “international bargaining power” is explained as “Beijing has used its enormous buying 

power to intercede for its SOEs with foreign suppliers and to reduce acquisition costs for raw materials...” 104 In Dr. Haley’s statement, “stock listings” is explained as “SOEs and collectives form over 93 percent of the listing 

of approximately 1300 companies on China’s Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges. Provincial governments 

pressure government regulators to discriminate against private companies and give the precious slots to their 

ailing state dinosaurs...” 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 65 

VI. OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO THE U.S. HIGH-TECH SECTOR TO ADDRESS SUBSIDIES BEING 

PROVIDED IN CHINA

Industry policy support or subsidies provided by the Chinese government to domestic 

companies can disadvantage U.S. high-tech businesses either by displacing U.S. exports to foreign 

markets or causing a loss of U.S. domestic market sales. When that happens, there are several 

options available to the U.S. high-tech sector to eliminate distortions. 

One option would be to file a WTO dispute settlement case. An example of this course of 

action involving the high-tech sector occurred on March 18, 2004, when the United States filed the 

first WTO case against China with respect to China’s value-added tax rebate policy that 

discriminated against imported integrated circuits (ICs) (i.e., semiconductors).105 China’s VAT 

regime provided for a rebate of 14% of a 17% VAT to enterprises in China on ICs manufactured in 

China but subjected imported ICs to the full 17% VAT with no refunds where the product was 

used domestically. In addition, China allowed for a refund of 11% of the 17% VAT to 

domestically-designed ICs that, because of technological limitations, are manufactured abroad, a 

practice that accorded more favorable treatment to imports from one country than another. The 

United States and China were able to resolve the issues during the consultation phase, with China 

eliminating VAT rebates for domestic IC production, effective April 1, 2005, and revoking the 

rebate policy on imported chips designed in China, effective October 1, 2004. 

The IC case was filed on the ground of national treatment obligations that China undertook 

as part of the WTO accession requiring that foreign goods and services be treated as favorably as 

domestic goods and services. The U.S. high-tech sector could also address subsidies under the 

 

105 China – Value-Added Tax on Integrated Circuits – Request for Consultations by the United States, WT/DS309/1 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 66 

WTO dispute settlement mechanism pursuant to the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing 

Duties when the subsidies at issue fall under the category of prohibited subsidies under the SCM 

agreement. Article 4.1 of the agreement provides that: 

Whenever a Member has reason to believe that a prohibited subsidy 

is being granted or maintained by another Member, such Member 

may request consultations with such other member. 

The U.S. government exercised this option on February 2, 2007 by requesting 

consultations with China over certain prohibited subsidies, including export subsidies and import 

substitution subsidies as defined under Article 3 of the SCM Agreement. With respect to 

actionable subsidies as defined in Article 5, which are subsidies that cause adverse effects to the 

interests of other WTO Members, Article 7 provides that: 

Except as provided in Article 13 of the Agreement on Agriculture, 

whenever a Member has reason to believe that any subsidy referred 

to in Article 1, granted or maintained by another Member, results in 

injury to its domestic industry, nullification or impairment or 

serious prejudice, such Member may request consultations with 

such other Member. 

Besides making use of the existing WTO dispute settlement system, the U.S. high-tech 

industry and the U.S. government could attempt to reform the system by improving the subsidy 

disciplines under the SCM Agreement which would help to address subsidy issues more 

effectively. Such attempts have already been made by the U.S. government in the ongoing Doha 

Round rules negotiations. One of the proposals tabled by the United States is to expand the 

existing category of prohibited subsidies to include instances of government intervention that have 

the same distortive effect on trade or competitiveness as export and import substitution 

 (March 23, 2004). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 67 

subsidies.106 Candidates for inclusion are some of the practices listed in the dark amber provision 

of Article 6.1 of the SCM Agreement such as large domestic subsidies, subsidies to cover 

operating losses by a company and direct forgiveness of debt.107

When the problem faced by the U.S. high-tech sector is market-distorting imports, the 

industry could, of course, pursue trade remedies under U.S. law where the statutory elements are 

present. The U.S. high-tech industry could petition for the imposition of countervailing duties 

when it is injured by reason of Chinese high-tech imports benefiting from Chinese government 

subsidies. Where prices are believed to be discriminatory, U.S. high-tech companies could pursue 

anti-dumping actions if the imported products at issue are sold at less-than-normal-value in the 

United States and injure the U.S. domestic industry. U.S. companies could also resort to the 

China-specific safeguard mechanism, which China agreed to be subject to during a transitional 

period of its WTO membership, if an import surge of the products at issue results in market 

disruption. 

 

106 Subsidies Disciplines Requiring Clarification and Improvement – Communication from the United States, 

TN/RL/W/78 (19 March 2003), at page 2. 

107 Id. 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 68 

VII. REVIEW OF HIGH-TECH TRADE FLOWS BETWEEN THE U.S. AND CHINA 

Trade in high-tech products cuts across many categories under the Harmonized Tariff 

Schedule (HTS). Subsidy programs in the high-tech industry discussed in the present paper 

involve some of the product subsets in the HTS categories related to high-tech sectors. With a 

view to presenting a comprehensive picture of the dynamics of the high-tech trade flows between 

the United States and China, trade data covering the full range of advanced or high-tech sectors is 

analyzed and presented in Exhibit-77, Exhibit-78 and Exhibit-79. 

Exhibit-77 is provided by MBG Information Services based on the data sourced from the 

U.S. Bureau of the Census. It covers U.S. trade with China in advanced technology products 

(ATP), more specifically, (1) export, import and balance totals from 1990-2006, (2) exports, 

imports and balances from 1997-2006 for each 2-digit HS chapter included in the detailed ATP 

data, and (3) exports, imports and balances from 2000 to 2006 for ATP at the detailed 10-digit HS 

level (altogether 821 products). As demonstrated by the data, the U.S. ATP trade balance with 

China has been worsening since 1994, with the United States running a rapidly widening trade 

deficit with China especially in the past seven years. In 2000, the U.S. ATP trade deficit with 

China was USD $6.95 billion; the figure climbed to USD $55.08 billion in 2006. From 1990 to 

2006, China’s share in the U.S. ATP trade with the world expanded in terms of both import and 

export; however, the growth of U.S. imports from China as a percentage of total U.S. imports was 

more three times the growth of U.S. exports to China as a percentage of total U.S. exports. For the 

2-digit HS chapters included in the ATP data, a worsening U.S. trade balance with China is shown 

in Organic Chemicals (HS 29), Mechanical/Computers (HS 84), Electrical Machinery (HS 85), 

and Arms and Ammunition (HS 93). 
CHINA’S INDUSTRIAL SUBSIDIES STUDY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Trade Lawyers Advisory Group 

April 2007 

Page 69 

Exhibit-78 covers the U.S. ATP trade with China and all other sources from 2002 to 2006 

grouped in ten product categories as defined by the U.S. Bureau of the Census, which include (1) 

biotechnology, (2) life science, (3) opto-electronics, (4) information & communications, (5) 

electronics, (6) flexible manufacturing, (7) advanced materials, (8) aerospace, (9) weapons, and 

(10) nuclear technology. The detailed ATP concordance is also included in the exhibit. The data 

show that the United States ran an annual trade deficit for the entire time period of 2002-2006 in 

six out of the ten categories, with a worsening trade deficit in four categories, i.e., biotechnology, 

opto-electronics, information & communications, and weapons. In addition, U.S. imports from 

China outpaced U.S. imports from all other sources in all of these categories except 

opto-electronics and nuclear technology. 

Exhibit-79 reviews U.S. trade in high technology products with China and all other sources 

from 2000 to 2006 based on ITC product groups from Shifts in Merchandise Trade reports. The 28 

groups included are related to the electronic products sector and the machinery sector. The data 

show that the United States had a deteriorating trade deficit with China in the following 17 product 

groups: 

 Office machines 

 Telephone and telegraph apparatus 

 Consumer electronics (except televisions) 

 Blank media 

 Navigational instruments and remote 

control apparatus 

 Television receivers and video monitors 

 Radio and television broadcasting 

equipment 

 Electric sound and visual signaling 

apparatus 

 Printed circuits 

 Circuit apparatus not exceeding 1000V 

 Circuit apparatus assemblies 

 Parts of circuit apparatus 

 Optical goods, including ophthalmic 

goods 

 Photographic cameras and equipment 

 Medical goods 

 Drawing, drafting, and calculating 

instruments 

 Non-metalworking machine tools