Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement (CEPA)
Cinema Theatre Services, Chinese Language Motion Pictures and Motion Pictures Jointly Produced, Motion Picture Distribution Services
Relevant Mainland Rules and Regulations
Rules and regulations promulgated by the Mainland authorities relating to the implementation of commitments under CEPA :
Cinema theatre services
- According to the Supplementary Provisions of "Interim Provisions on Foreign-invested Cinema" (Decree of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television No. 49 - Apr 2005) (in Chinese only), Hong Kong Service Suppliers (HKSS) may construct or renovate a cinema theatre and operate film screening business in the Mainland in the form of wholly-owned, equity joint or cooperative joint venture operations. According to the Supplementary Provisions II of "Interim Provisions on Foreign-invested Cinema" (Decree of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television No. 51 - Jan 2006) (in Chinese only), HKSS may construct or renovate more than one cinema theatre at more than one location and operate film screening business in the Mainland in the form of a wholly-owned enterprise. According to "Interim Provisions on Foreign-invested Cinema" (2015 Revision - Aug 2015) (in Chinese only), the requirements for foreign enterprises investing in cinema theatres include:
- Conforming with the overall layout and planning of the local cultural facilities;
- Having fixed business premises (for film screening);
- Having a term of equity joint or cooperative joint venture that is not longer than 30 years;
- Conforming with the relevant rules and regulations of the Mainland.
- For other details, please refer to:
- "Interim Provisions on Foreign-invested Cinema" (2015 Revision - Aug 2015) (in Chinese only)
- Supplementary Provisions of "Interim Provisions on Foreign-invested Cinema" (Decree of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television No. 49 - Apr 2005) (in Chinese only)
- Supplementary Provisions II of "Interim Provisions on Foreign-invested Cinema" (Decree of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television No. 51 - Jan 2006) (in Chinese only)
- "The Film Industry Promotion Law" (Nov 2016) (in Chinese only)
Enquiries concerning the application procedures and requirements for the establishment of foreign-invested audiovisual enterprises regarding cinema theatre services can be directed to :
- The China Film Administration
( Website: https://www.chinafilm.gov.cn/ )
Chinese language motion pictures and motion pictures jointly produced, Motion picture distribution services
- According to the Agreement on Trade in Services, Chinese language motion pictures produced in Hong Kong shall be solely imported through the China Film Group Corporation; and distributed in the Mainland by distributors possessing the "Operation Licence for Film Distribution", without any restriction on import quotas.
- According to the Supplementary Provisions of "Interim Rules on Entry Requirements for Film Enterprises" (2015 Revision - Aug 2015) (in Chinese only), HKSS establishing wholly-owned enterprises in the Mainland to distribute films shall fulfil the definition and relevant requirements of HKSS as stipulated in CEPA.
- For other details, please refer to:
- "Regulation on Film Administration" (Decree of the State Council of the People's Republic of China No 342 - Dec 2001) (in Chinese only)
- "Measures for the Administration of Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Film Production" (2017 Revision - Dec 2017) (in Chinese only)
- "Administrative Measures on the Registration of Script and Motion Picture" (Decree of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television No. 52 - May 2006) (in Chinese only)
- "Interim Rules on Entry Requirements for Film Enterprises" (2015 Revision - Aug 2015) (in Chinese only)
- Supplementary Provisions of "Interim Rules on Entry Requirements for Film Enterprises" (2015 Revision - Aug 2015) (in Chinese only)
- "The Film Industry Promotion Law" (Nov 2016) (in Chinese only)
Enquiries concerning the application procedures and requirements in relation to Chinese language motion pictures and motion pictures and motion picture distribution services can be directed to :
- The China Film Administration
( Website: https://www.chinafilm.gov.cn/ )