第一章 總 則
第一條 為了規(guī)范中外合作辦學活動,加強教育對外交流與合作,促進教育事業(yè)的發(fā)展，根據《中華人民共和國教育法》、《中華人民共和國職業(yè)教育法》和《中華人民共和國民辦教育促進法》，制定本條例。
第二條 外國教育機構同中國教育機構(以下簡稱中外合作辦學者)在中國境內合作舉辦以中國公民為主要招生對象的教育機構(以下簡稱中外合作辦學機構)的活動，適用本條例。
第三條 中外合作辦學屬于公益性事業(yè)，是中國教育事業(yè)的組成部分。
國家對中外合作辦學實行擴大開放、規(guī)范辦學、依法管理、促進發(fā)展的方針。
國家鼓勵引進外國優(yōu)質教育資源的中外合作辦學。
國家鼓勵在高等教育、職業(yè)教育領域開展中外合作辦學，鼓勵中國高等教育機構與外國知名的高等教育機構合作辦學。
第四條 中外合作辦學者、中外合作辦學機構的合法權益，受中國法律保護。
中外合作辦學機構依法享受國家規(guī)定的優(yōu)惠政策，依法自主開展教育教學活動。
第五條 中外合作辦學必須遵守中國法律，貫徹中國的教育方針，符合中國的公共道德，不得損害中國的國家主權、安全和社會公共利益。
中外合作辦學應當符合中國教育事業(yè)發(fā)展的需要，保證教育教學質量，致力于培養(yǎng)中國社會主義建設事業(yè)的各類人才。
第六條 中外合作辦學者可以合作舉辦各級各類教育機構。但是，不得舉辦實施義務教育和實施軍事、警察、政治等特殊性質教育的機構。
第七條 外國宗教組織、宗教機構、宗教院校和宗教教職人員不得在中國境內從事合作辦學活動。
中外合作辦學機構不得進行宗教教育和開展宗教活動。
第八條 國務院教育行政部門負責全國中外合作辦學工作的統(tǒng)籌規(guī)劃、綜合協(xié)調和宏觀管理。國務院教育行政部門、勞動行政部門和其他有關行政部門在國務院規(guī)定的職責范圍內負責有關的中外合作辦學工作。
省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府教育行政部門負責本行政區(qū)域內中外合作辦學工作的統(tǒng)籌規(guī)劃、綜合協(xié)調和宏觀管理。省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府教育行政部門、勞動行政部門和其他有關行政部門在其職責范圍內負責本行政區(qū)域內有關的中外合作辦學工作。
第二章 設 立
第九條 申請設立中外合作辦學機構的教育機構應當具有法人資格。
第十條 中外合作辦學者可以用資金、實物、土地使用權、知識產權以及其他財產作為辦學投入。
中外合作辦學者的知識產權投入不得超過各自投入的1/3。但是，接受國務院教育行政部門、勞動行政部門或者省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府邀請前來中國合作辦學的外國教育機構的知識產權投入可以超過其投入的1/3。
第十一條 中外合作辦學機構應當具備《中華人民共和國教育法》、《中華人民共和國職業(yè)教育法》、《中華人民共和國高等教育法》等法律和有關行政法規(guī)規(guī)定的基本條件，并具有法人資格。但是，外國教育機構同中國實施學歷教育的高等學校設立的實施高等教育的中外合作辦學機構，可以不具有法人資格。
設立中外合作辦學機構，參照國家舉辦的同級同類教育機構的設置標準執(zhí)行。
第十二條 申請設立實施本科以上高等學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構，由國務院教育行政部門審批；申請設立實施高等專科教育和非學歷高等教育的中外合作辦學機構，由擬設立機構所在地的省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府審批。
申請設立實施中等學歷教育和自學考試助學、文化補習、學前教育等的中外合作辦學機構，由擬設立機構所在地的省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府教育行政部門審批。
申請設立實施職業(yè)技能培訓的中外合作辦學機構，由擬設立機構所在地的省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府勞動行政部門審批。
第十三條 設立中外合作辦學機構，分為籌備設立和正式設立兩個步驟。但是，具備辦學條件，達到設置標準的，可以直接申請正式設立。
第十四條 申請籌備設立中外合作辦學機構，應當提交下列文件：
(一)申辦報告，內容應當主要包括：中外合作辦學者、擬設立中外合作辦學機構的名稱、培養(yǎng)目標、辦學規(guī)模、辦學層次、辦學形式、辦學條件、內部管理體制、經費籌措與管理使用等；
(二)合作協(xié)議，內容應當包括：合作期限、爭議解決辦法等；
(三)資產來源、資金數額及有效證明文件，并載明產權；
(四)屬捐贈性質的校產須提交捐贈協(xié)議，載明捐贈人的姓名、所捐資產的數額、用途和管理辦法及相關有效證明文件；
(五)不低于中外合作辦學者資金投入15%的啟動資金到位證明。
第十五條 申請籌備設立中外合作辦學機構的,審批機關應當自受理申請之日起45個工作日內作出是否批準的決定。批準的，發(fā)給籌備設立批準書；不批準的，應當書面說明理由。
第十六條 經批準籌備設立中外合作辦學機構的，應當自批準之日起3年內提出正式設立申請；超過3年的，中外合作辦學者應當重新申報。
籌備設立期內，不得招生。
第十七條 完成籌備設立申請正式設立的，應當提交下列文件：
(一)正式設立申請書；
(二)籌備設立批準書；
(三)籌備設立情況報告；
(四)中外合作辦學機構的章程，首屆理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會組成人員名單；
(五)中外合作辦學機構資產的有效證明文件；
(六)校長或者主要行政負責人、教師、財會人員的資格證明文件。
直接申請正式設立中外合作辦學機構的，應當提交前款第(一)項、第(四)項、第(五)項、第(六)項和第十四條第(二)項、第(三)項、第(四)項所列文件。
第十八條 申請正式設立實施非學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構的,審批機關應當自受理申請之日起3個月內作出是否批準的決定；申請正式設立實施學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構的，審批機關應當自受理申請之日起6個月內作出是否批準的決定。批準的，頒發(fā)統(tǒng)一格式、統(tǒng)一編號的中外合作辦學許可證；不批準的，應當書面說明理由。
中外合作辦學許可證由國務院教育行政部門制定式樣，由國務院教育行政部門和勞動行政部門按照職責分工分別組織印制；中外合作辦學許可證由國務院教育行政部門統(tǒng)一編號，具體辦法由國務院教育行政部門會同勞動行政部門確定。
第十九條 申請正式設立實施學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構的，審批機關受理申請后，應當組織專家委員會評議，由專家委員會提出咨詢意見。
第二十條 中外合作辦學機構取得中外合作辦學許可證后，應當依照有關的法律、行政法規(guī)進行登記，登記機關應當依照有關規(guī)定即時予以辦理。
第三章 組織與管理
第二十一條 具有法人資格的中外合作辦學機構應當設立理事會或者董事會，不具有法人資格的中外合作辦學機構應當設立聯(lián)合管理委員會。理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會的中方組成人員不得少于1/2。
理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會由5人以上組成，設理事長、副理事長，董事長、副董事長或者主任、副主任各1人。中外合作辦學者一方擔任理事長、董事長或者主任的，由另一方擔任副理事長、副董事長或者副主任。
具有法人資格的中外合作辦學機構的法定代表人，由中外合作辦學者協(xié)商，在理事長、董事長或者校長中確定。
第二十二條 中外合作辦學機構的理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會由中外合作辦學者的代表、校長或者主要行政負責人、教職工代表等組成，其中1/3以上組成人員應當具有5年以上教育、教學經驗。
中外合作辦學機構的理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會組成人員名單應當報審批機關備案。
第二十三條 中外合作辦學機構的理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會行使下列職權：
(一)改選或者補選理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會組成人員；
(二)聘任、解聘校長或者主要行政負責人；
(三)修改章程，制定規(guī)章制度；
(四)制定發(fā)展規(guī)劃，批準年度工作計劃；
(五)籌集辦學經費，審核預算、決算；
(六)決定教職工的編制定額和工資標準；
(七)決定中外合作辦學機構的分立、合并、終止；
(八)章程規(guī)定的其他職權。
第二十四條 中外合作辦學機構的理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會每年至少召開一次會議。經1/3以上組成人員提議，可以召開理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會臨時會議。
中外合作辦學機構的理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會討論下列重大事項，應當經2/3以上組成人員同意方可通過：
(一)聘任、解聘校長或者主要行政負責人；
(二)修改章程；
(三)制定發(fā)展規(guī)劃；
(四)決定中外合作辦學機構的分立、合并、終止；
(五)章程規(guī)定的其他重大事項。
第二十五條 中外合作辦學機構的校長或者主要行政負責人，應當具有中華人民共和國國籍，在中國境內定居，熱愛祖國，品行良好，具有教育、教學經驗，并具備相應的專業(yè)水平。
中外合作辦學機構聘任的校長或者主要行政負責人，應當經審批機關核準。
第二十六條 中外合作辦學機構的校長或者主要行政負責人行使下列職權：
(一)執(zhí)行理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會的決定；
(二)實施發(fā)展規(guī)劃，擬訂年度工作計劃、財務預算和規(guī)章制度；
(三)聘任和解聘工作人員，實施獎懲；
(四)組織教育教學、科學研究活動，保證教育教學質量；
(五)負責日常管理工作；
(六)章程規(guī)定的其他職權。
第二十七條 中外合作辦學機構依法對教師、學生進行管理。
中外合作辦學機構聘任的外籍教師和外籍管理人員，應當具備學士以上學位和相應的職業(yè)證書，并具有2年以上教育、教學經驗。
外方合作辦學者應當從本教育機構中選派一定數量的教師到中外合作辦學機構任教。
第二十八條 中外合作辦學機構應當依法維護教師、學生的合法權益，保障教職工的工資、福利待遇，并為教職工繳納社會保險費。
中外合作辦學機構的教職工依法建立工會等組織，并通過教職工代表大會等形式，參與中外合作辦學機構的民主管理。
第二十九條 中外合作辦學機構的外籍人員應當遵守外國人在中國就業(yè)的有關規(guī)定。
第四章 教育教學
第三十條 中外合作辦學機構應當按照中國對同級同類教育機構的要求開設關于憲法、法律、公民道德、國情等內容的課程。
國家鼓勵中外合作辦學機構引進國內急需、在國際上具有先進性的課程和教材。
中外合作辦學機構應當將所開設的課程和引進的教材報審批機關備案。
第三十一條 中外合作辦學機構根據需要，可以使用外國語言文字教學，但應當以普通話和規(guī)范漢字為基本教學語言文字。
第三十二條 實施高等學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構招收學生，納入國家高等學校招生計劃。實施其他學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構招收學生，按照省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府教育行政部門的規(guī)定執(zhí)行。
中外合作辦學機構招收境外學生，按照國家有關規(guī)定執(zhí)行。
第三十三條 中外合作辦學機構的招生簡章和廣告應當報審批機關備案。
中外合作辦學機構應當將辦學類型和層次、專業(yè)設置、課程內容和招生規(guī)模等有關情況，定期向社會公布。
第三十四條 中外合作辦學機構實施學歷教育的，按照國家有關規(guī)定頒發(fā)學歷證書或者其他學業(yè)證書；實施非學歷教育的，按照國家有關規(guī)定頒發(fā)培訓證書或者結業(yè)證書。對于接受職業(yè)技能培訓的學生，經政府批準的職業(yè)技能鑒定機構鑒定合格的，可以按照國家有關規(guī)定頒發(fā)相應的國家職業(yè)資格證書。
中外合作辦學機構實施高等學歷教育的，可以按照國家有關規(guī)定頒發(fā)中國相應的學位證書。
中外合作辦學機構頒發(fā)的外國教育機構的學歷、學位證書，應當與該教育機構在其所屬國頒發(fā)的學歷、學位證書相同，并在該國獲得承認。
中國對中外合作辦學機構頒發(fā)的外國教育機構的學歷、學位證書的承認，依照中華人民共和國締結或者加入的國際條約辦理，或者按照國家有關規(guī)定辦理。
第三十五條 國務院教育行政部門或者省、自治區(qū)、直轄市人民政府教育行政部門及勞動行政部門等其他有關行政部門應當加強對中外合作辦學機構的日常監(jiān)督，組織或者委托社會中介組織對中外合作辦學機構的辦學水平和教育質量進行評估，并將評估結果向社會公布。
第五章 資產與財務
第三十六條 中外合作辦學機構應當依法建立健全財務、會計制度和資產管理制度，并按照國家有關規(guī)定設置會計賬簿。
第三十七條 中外合作辦學機構存續(xù)期間，所有資產由中外合作辦學機構依法享有法人財產權，任何組織和個人不得侵占。
第三十八條 中外合作辦學機構的收費項目和標準，依照國家有關政府定價的規(guī)定確定并公布；未經批準，不得增加項目或者提高標準。
中外合作辦學機構應當以人民幣計收學費和其他費用，不得以外匯計收學費和其他費用。
第三十九條 中外合作辦學機構收取的費用應當主要用于教育教學活動和改善辦學條件。
第四十條 中外合作辦學機構的外匯收支活動以及開設和使用外匯賬戶，應當遵守國家外匯管理規(guī)定。
第四十一條 中外合作辦學機構應當在每個會計年度結束時制作財務會計報告，委托社會審計機構依法進行審計，向社會公布審計結果，并報審批機關備案。
第六章 變更與終止
第四十二條 中外合作辦學機構的分立、合并，在進行財務清算后，由該機構理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會報審批機關批準。
申請分立、合并實施非學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構的,審批機關應當自受理申請之日起3個月內以書面形式答復；申請分立、合并實施學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構的，審批機關應當自受理申請之日起6個月內以書面形式答復。
第四十三條 中外合作辦學機構合作辦學者的變更，應當由合作辦學者提出，在進行財務清算后，經該機構理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會同意，報審批機關核準，并辦理相應的變更手續(xù)。
中外合作辦學機構住所、法定代表人、校長或者主要行政負責人的變更，應當經審批機關核準，并辦理相應的變更手續(xù)。
第四十四條 中外合作辦學機構名稱、層次、類別的變更，由該機構理事會、董事會或者聯(lián)合管理委員會報審批機關批準。
申請變更為實施非學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構的,審批機關應當自受理申請之日起3個月內以書面形式答復；申請變更為實施學歷教育的中外合作辦學機構的，審批機關應當自受理申請之日起6個月內以書面形式答復。
第四十五條 中外合作辦學機構有下列情形之一的，應當終止：
(一)根據章程規(guī)定要求終止，并經審批機關批準的；
(二)被吊銷中外合作辦學許可證的；
(三)因資不抵債無法繼續(xù)辦學，并經審批機關批準的。
中外合作辦學機構終止，應當妥善安置在校學生；中外合作辦學機構提出終止申請時，應當同時提交妥善安置在校學生的方案。
第四十六條 中外合作辦學機構終止時，應當依法進行財務清算。
中外合作辦學機構自己要求終止的，由中外合作辦學機構組織清算；被審批機關依法撤銷的，由審批機關組織清算；因資不抵債無法繼續(xù)辦學而被終止的，依法請求人民法院組織清算。
第四十七條 中外合作辦學機構清算時，應當按照下列順序清償：
(一)應當退還學生的學費和其他費用；
(二)應當支付給教職工的工資和應當繳納的社會保險費用；
(三)應當償還的其他債務。
中外合作辦學機構清償上述債務后的剩余財產，依照有關法律、行政法規(guī)的規(guī)定處理。
第四十八條 中外合作辦學機構經批準終止或者被吊銷中外合作辦學許可證的，應當將中外合作辦學許可證和印章交回審批機關，依法辦理注銷登記。
第七章 法律責任
第四十九條 中外合作辦學審批機關及其工作人員，利用職務上的便利收取他人財物或者獲取其他利益，濫用職權、玩忽職守，對不符合本條例規(guī)定條件者頒發(fā)中外合作辦學許可證，或者發(fā)現(xiàn)違法行為不予以查處，造成嚴重后果，觸犯刑律的，對負有責任的主管人員和其他直接責任人員，依照刑法關于受賄罪、濫用職權罪、玩忽職守罪或者其他罪的規(guī)定，依法追究刑事責任；尚不夠刑事處罰的，依法給予行政處分。
第五十條 違反本條例的規(guī)定，超越職權審批中外合作辦學機構的，其批準文件無效，由上級機關責令改正；對負有責任的主管人員和其他直接責任人員，依法給予行政處分；致使公共財產、國家和人民利益遭受重大損失的，依照刑法關于濫用職權罪或者其他罪的規(guī)定，依法追究刑事責任。
第五十一條 違反本條例的規(guī)定，未經批準擅自設立中外合作辦學機構，或者以不正當手段騙取中外合作辦學許可證的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工予以取締或者會同公安機關予以取締，責令退還向學生收取的費用，并處以10萬元以下的罰款；觸犯刑律的，依照刑法關于詐騙罪或者其他罪的規(guī)定，依法追究刑事責任。
第五十二條 違反本條例的規(guī)定，在中外合作辦學機構籌備設立期間招收學生的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工責令停止招生，責令退還向學生收取的費用，并處以10萬元以下的罰款；情節(jié)嚴重，拒不停止招生的，由審批機關撤銷籌備設立批準書。
第五十三條 中外合作辦學者虛假出資或者在中外合作辦學機構成立后抽逃出資的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工責令限期改正；逾期不改正的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工處以虛假出資金額或者抽逃出資金額2倍以下的罰款。
第五十四條 偽造、變造和買賣中外合作辦學許可證的，依照刑法關于偽造、變造、買賣國家機關證件罪或者其他罪的規(guī)定，依法追究刑事責任。
第五十五條 中外合作辦學機構未經批準增加收費項目或者提高收費標準的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工責令退還多收的費用，并由價格主管部門依照有關法律、行政法規(guī)的規(guī)定予以處罰。
第五十六條 中外合作辦學機構管理混亂、教育教學質量低下，造成惡劣影響的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工責令限期整頓并予以公告；情節(jié)嚴重、逾期不整頓或者經整頓仍達不到要求的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工責令停止招生、吊銷中外合作辦學許可證。
第五十七條 違反本條例的規(guī)定，發(fā)布虛假招生簡章，騙取錢財的，由教育行政部門、勞動行政部門按照職責分工，責令限期改正并予以警告；有違法所得的，退還所收費用后沒收違法所得，并可處以10萬元以下的罰款；情節(jié)嚴重的，責令停止招生、吊銷中外合作辦學許可證；構成犯罪的，依照刑法關于詐騙罪或者其他罪的規(guī)定，依法追究刑事責任。
中外合作辦學機構發(fā)布虛假招生廣告的，依照《中華人民共和國廣告法》的有關規(guī)定追究其法律責任。
第五十八條 中外合作辦學機構被處以吊銷中外合作辦學許可證行政處罰的，其理事長或者董事長、校長或者主要行政負責人自中外合作辦學許可證被吊銷之日起10年內不得擔任任何中外合作辦學機構的理事長或者董事長、校長或者主要行政負責人。
違反本條例的規(guī)定，觸犯刑律被依法追究刑事責任的，自刑罰執(zhí)行期滿之日起10年內不得從事中外合作辦學活動。
第八章 附 則
第五十九條 香港特別行政區(qū)、澳門特別行政區(qū)和臺灣地區(qū)的教育機構與內地教育機構合作辦學的，參照本條例的規(guī)定執(zhí)行。
第六十條 在工商行政管理部門登記注冊的經營性的中外合作舉辦的培訓機構的管理辦法，由國務院另行規(guī)定。
第六十一條 外國教育機構同中國教育機構在中國境內合作舉辦以中國公民為主要招生對象的實施學歷教育和自學考試助學、文化補習、學前教育等的合作辦學項目的具體審批和管理辦法，由國務院教育行政部門制定。
外國教育機構同中國教育機構在中國境內合作舉辦以中國公民為主要招生對象的實施職業(yè)技能培訓的合作辦學項目的具體審批和管理辦法，由國務院勞動行政部門制定。
第六十二條 外國教育機構、其他組織或者個人不得在中國境內單獨設立以中國公民為主要招生對象的學校及其他教育機構。
第六十三條 本條例施行前依法設立的中外合作辦學機構，應當補辦本條例規(guī)定的中外合作辦學許可證。其中，不完全具備本條例所規(guī)定條件的，應當在本條例施行之日起2年內達到本條例規(guī)定的條件；逾期未達到本條例規(guī)定條件的，由審批機關予以撤銷。
第六十四條 本條例自2003年9月1日起施行。
Chapter I General Provisions
Article 1 These Regulations are formulated in accordance with the Education Law of the People's Republic of China, the Vocational Education Law of the People's Republic of China and the Law of the People's Republic of China on Promotion of Privately-Run Schools for the purposes of standardizing Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools, strengthening international exchange and cooperation in the field of education and promoting the development of the educational cause.
Article 2 These Regulations apply to the activities of the cooperation between foreign educational institutions and Chinese educational institutions (hereinafter referred to as Chinese and foreign cooperators in running schools) in establishing educational institutions (hereinafter referred to as Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools) within the territory of China to provide education service mainly to Chinese citizens.
Article 3 Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools is an undertaking beneficial to public interests and forms a component of China's educational cause.
For Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools, the State adopts the policies of opening wider to the outside world, standardization of running schools, exercising administration according to law and promoting its development.
The State encourages Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools to which high-quality foreign educational resources are introduced.
The State encourages Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools in the field of higher education and vocational education, and encourages Chinese institutions of higher learning to cooperate with renowned foreign institutions of higher learning in running schools.
Article 4 The legal rights and interests of Chinese and foreign cooperators in running schools and of Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall be protected by the laws of China.
Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall enjoy preferential policies made by the State and enjoy autonomy when conducting educational activities in accordance with law.
Article 5 Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools shall abide by the laws of China, implement China's educational policies, comply with Chinese public ethics and shall not jeopardize China's sovereignty, security and public interests.
Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools shall meet the needs of the development of China's educational cause, ensure teaching quality and make efforts to train all kinds of talents for China's socialist construction.
Article 6 Chinese and foreign cooperators in running schools may cooperate to establish educational institutions of various types at various levels. However, they shall not establish institutions offering compulsory education service or special education services such as military, police and political education services.
Article 7 No foreign religious organization, religious institution, religious college and university or religious worker may engage in cooperative activities of running schools within the territory of China.
Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall not offer religious education, nor conduct religious activities.
Article 8 The education administrative department of the State Council shall be responsible for overall planning, comprehensive coordination and macro control for all Chinese-foreign cooperative activities in running schools nationwide. The education administrative department, the labour administrative department and other relevant administrative departments of the State Council shall be responsible for the work in relation to Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools in accordance with their functions and duties as defined by the State Council.
The education administrative departments of the people's governments of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for overall planning, comprehensive coordination and macro control for all Chinese-foreign cooperative activities in running schools within their respective administrative regions. The education administrative departments, the labour administrative departments and other relevant administrative departments of the people's governments of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government shall be responsible for the work in relation to Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools within their respective administrative regions in accordance with their functions and duties.
Chapter II Establishment
Article 9 An educational institution which applies for establishing a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall have the legal person status.
Article 10 A Chinese or foreign cooperator in running a school may contribute with funds, in kind or in forms of land-use right, intellectual property rights or other assets to establish the school.
Contribution of intellectual property rights by a Chinese or foreign cooperator in running a school shall not exceed one-third of its total contribution. However, for a foreign educational institution that comes to China for cooperation in running a school at the invitation of the education administrative department or the labour administrative department of the State Council or at the invitation of the people's government of a province, an autonomous region or a municipality directly under the Central Government, its contribution in the form of intellectual property rights may exceed one-third of its total contribution.
Article 11 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall meet the basic requirements prescribed by the Education Law of the People's Republic of China, the Vocational Education Law of the People's Republic of China, the Higher Education Law of the People's Republic of China and other laws and administrative regulations, and shall have the legal person status. However, a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school established to offer higher education service through the cooperation between a foreign educational institution and a Chinese institution of higher learning which offers education for academic qualifications may have no legal person status.
The establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall follow the standards for the establishment of State-run educational institutions of the same type and at the same level.
Article 12 An application for establishing a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering higher education for academic qualifications at or above the regular university education shall be subject to examination and approval of the education administrative department of the State Council; an application for establishing a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering specialized higher education or higher education for non-academic qualifications shall be subject to examination and approval of the people's government of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government where the proposed school is to be located.
An application for establishing a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering secondary education for academic qualifications, programs of tutoring self-taught students for examinations, programs offering supplementary teaching of school courses and pre-school education shall be subject to examination and approval of the education administrative department of the people's government of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government where the proposed school is to be located.
An application for establishing a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering vocational technical training shall be subject to examination and approval of the labour administrative department of the people's government of the province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government where the proposed school is to be located.
Article 13 The establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall include two steps of preparation for establishment and formal establishment. However, the applicant may file an application directly for formal establishment if it fulfills the conditions for offering education and meets the standards for establishment.
Article 14 An applicant who applies for preparation for establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall submit the following documents:
(1) a project report which shall mainly contain the names of the Chinese and foreign cooperators in running the school, the name of the proposed cooperatively-run school, educational targets, size of the school, level and form of education to be offered, conditions for offering education, system of internal management, sources of funding and capital management and use, etc.;
(2) a cooperative agreement which shall contain the duration of cooperation and ways of dispute settlement, etc.;
(3) valid documents verifying sources of assets and amount of capital, with clear statement of ownership;
(4) a donation agreement for any assets provided as a donation to the proposed school, which carries the name of the donor, value of donation, purpose of use and management methods, and the relevant valid verifying documents; and
(5) a certificate verifying that not less than 15 percent of initial funds provided by the Chinese and foreign cooperators is already invested.
Article 15 In the case of an application for preparation for establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school, the examination and approval authorities shall decide whether to grant the approval or not within 45 days from the date of receiving the application. If the application is approved, a letter of approval for preparation for establishment shall be issued; if the application is not approved, reasons shall be provided in writing.
Article 16 An applicant whose application for preparation for establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school is approved shall file an application for formal establishment within three years from the date of approval; if it is more than three years, the Chinese and foreign cooperators in running the school shall file an application anew.
During the period of preparation for establishment, no students shall be enrolled.
Article 17 An applicant who has completed its preparation for establishment and applies for formal establishment shall submit the following documents:
(1) an application for formal establishment;
(2) the letter of approval for preparation for establishment;
(3) a report on the progress of preparation for establishment;
(4) the articles of association for the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school, and a list of members on its first board of trustees or board of directors, or of its first joint managerial committee;
(5) valid documents verifying assets of the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school;
(6) documents verifying the qualifications of the president or principal administrator, the teachers and financial staff.
An applicant who directly applies for formal establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall submit all documents listed under subparagraphs (1), (4), (5) and (6) of the preceding paragraph and subparagraphs (2), (3) and (4) of Article 14.
Article 18 In the case of an application for formal establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering education for non-academic qualifications, the examination and approval authorities shall decide whether to grant the approval or not within three months from the date of receiving the application; in the case of an application for formal establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering education for academic qualifications, the examination and approval authorities shall decide whether to grant the approval or not within six months from the date of receiving the application. If the application is approved, a permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school printed in a standard format and numbered in a unified way shall be granted; if the application is not approved, reasons shall be provided in writing.
The format of the permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running a school shall be determined by the education administrative department of the State Council and the printing be arranged separately by the education administrative department and the labour administrative department of the State Council in accordance with their respective functions and duties; the permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running a school shall be numbered in a unified way by the education administrative department of the State Council and the specific measures shall be formulated by the education administrative department jointly with the labour administrative department of the State Council.
Article 19 In the case of an application for formal establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering education for academic qualifications, the examination and approval authorities, upon receiving such an application, shall organize an expert committee to make an evaluation, and the expert committee shall give its opinions.
Article 20 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school which has obtained the permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school shall register in accordance with the relevant laws and administrative regulations, and the registering authorities shall process the registration timely in accordance with the relevant provisions.
Chapter III Organization and Administration
Article 21 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school with the legal person status shall set up a board of trustees or a board of directors, and a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school without the legal person status shall set up a joint managerial committee. Chinese members on the board of trustees, the board of directors or of the joint managerial committee shall not be less than half of the total number.
The board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee shall be composed of at least five members with one of them serving as the chairperson and one of them serving as the vice-chairperson respectively. If either of the Chinese and foreign cooperators in running the school assumes the chairpersonship, the other shall assume the vice-chairpersonship.
The legal representative of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school with the legal person status shall be appointed through consultation between the Chinese and foreign cooperators in running the school from the chairperson of the board of trustees, or the chairperson of the board of directors, or the president of the cooperatively-run school.
Article 22 The board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be composed of the representatives from both the Chinese and foreign cooperators in running the school, the president or principal administrator of the school, the representatives of the school's teaching and administrative staff, etc., and one-third of the members shall have at least five years of work experience in the field of education and teaching.
The list of members on the board of trustees, the board of directors or of the joint managerial committee of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be submitted to the examination and approval authorities for the record.
Article 23 The board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall exercise the following powers:
(1) electing or by-electing the members on the board of trustees, the board of directors or of the joint managerial committee;
(2) appointing or dismissing the president or the principal administrator;
(3) modifying the articles of association and formulating school rules and bylaw;
(4) formulating development plans and approving annual work plans;
(5) raising operational funds, examining and approving the budget and the final accounts;
(6) determining the staff arrangement and quotas and the wage scales;
(7) making decisions on the division, merger or termination of the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school; and
(8) exercising other powers specified by the articles of association.
Article 24 The board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall meet at least once a year. Interim meetings of the board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee may be convened upon proposal made by at least one-third of its members.
The board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall adopt its decision upon agreement by at least two-thirds of its members when it discusses the following major issues:
(1) appointing or dismissing the president or the principal administrator;
(2) modifying the articles of association;
(3) formulating the development plan;
(4) making decisions on the division, merger or termination of the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school; and
(5) other major issues specified by the articles of association.
Article 25 The president or the principal administrator of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be a person with the nationality of the People's Republic of China, domicile in the territory of China, love the motherland, possess moral integrity, and have work experience in the field of education and teaching as well as compatible professional expertise.
The president or the principal administrator appointed by a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be subject to approval of the examination and approval authorities.
Article 26 The president or the principal administrator of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall exercise the following powers:
(1) executing the decisions of the board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee;
(2) implementing the development plan and drafting annual work plans, financial budget, rules and bylaw;
(3) employing and dismissing the staff and executing rewards and punishments;
(4) organizing teaching and scientific research activities and ensuring teaching quality;
(5) taking charge of daily administrative work;
(6) exercising other powers specified by the articles of association.
Article 27 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall administer its teachers and students in accordance with law.
Foreign teachers and administrators employed by a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall possess a bachelor's degree or above and related occupational certificates, and have at least two years of work experience in the field of education and teaching.
The foreign cooperator shall send a certain number of teachers from its own educational institution to teach in the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school.
Article 28 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall safeguard the lawful rights and interests of its teachers and students in accordance with law, guarantee the payment and welfare benefits of the teaching and administrative staff and pay social insurance premiums for the teaching and administrative staff.
The teaching and administrative staff of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall establish their trade union and other organizations in accordance with law, and participate in the democratic governance of the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school through the staff congress or other means.
Article 29 Foreign employees of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall abide by the relevant provisions on employment of foreigners in China.
Chapter IV Education and Teaching
Article 30 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall offer courses on the constitution, laws, ethics of citizens and basic facts about China, etc. in accordance with the requirements by China for educational institutions of the same type at the same level.
The State encourages Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools to introduce internationally advanced courses and teaching materials that are urgently needed in China.
A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall report the courses that it offers and the teaching materials that it has introduced in to the examination and approval authorities for the record.
Article 31 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school may, if necessary, use foreign languages in teaching, but shall use the standard Chinese language and standard Chinese characters as the basic teaching language.
Article 32 The enrollment by Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools offering higher education for academic qualifications shall be incorporated into the national enrollment plan for institutions of higher learning. The enrollment by Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools offering other education for academic qualifications shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the education administrative departments of the people's governments of the provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government.
The enrollment of overseas students by Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall be conducted in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State.
Article 33 The enrollment brochures and advertisements of Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall be submitted to the examination and approval authorities for the record.
A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall publicize regularly relevant information on the type and level of its education, its specialties and courses and its enrollment plan, etc.
Article 34 Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools offering education for academic qualifications shall grant academic qualifications certificates or other education certificates in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State; those that offer education for non-academic qualifications shall grant training certificates or course completion certificates in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State. Students who receive vocational skill training may be granted relevant national vocational qualifications certificates in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State if they pass the evaluation by a vocational skill evaluation organ authorized by the government.
Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools offering higher education for academic qualifications may grant relevant Chinese certificates of academic degrees in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State.
Certificates of academic qualifications or certificates of academic degrees of a foreign educational institution granted by a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be identical with the certificates of academic qualifications or certificates of academic degrees issued by the foreign educational institution in its own country and shall be recognized by that country.
The recognition of certificates of academic qualifications or certificates of academic degrees of a foreign educational institution granted by Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall be governed by the international treaties concluded or acceded to by the People's Republic of China or the relevant provisions of the State.
Article 35 The education administrative department of the State Council or the education administrative departments, the labour administrative departments and other related administrative departments of the people's governments of the provinces, autonomous regions or municipalities directly under the Central Government shall strengthen their routine supervision over Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools, organize or authorize intermediary organizations to evaluate the management and educational quality of the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools and publicize the evaluation results.
Chapter V Assets and Financial Matters
Article 36 Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall establish and improve their financial and accounting systems as well as their assets management system in accordance with law, and shall keep books of accounts pursuant to the relevant provisions of the State.
Article 37 During the period of their existence, Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall enjoy the property of legal persons on all their assets in accordance with law, and no other organizations or individuals may encroach on such assets.
Article 38 The items and standards of charges by Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall be determined and publicized in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State on price fixing by the government; no additional items or increase in charges shall be allowed without approval.
Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall use Renminbi instead of any foreign currencies in calculating and collecting tuition and other fees.
Article 39 All fees collected by Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall be mainly used for educational and teaching activities and for improving the conditions of school operation.
Article 40 Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools shall abide by the provisions of the State on foreign exchange control in conducting their activities of the receipt and payment of foreign exchange and opening and using foreign exchange accounts.
Article 41 Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools, at the end of each fiscal year, shall prepare financial and accounting reports, commission public auditing institutions to conduct auditing work in accordance with law, publicize the audit findings, and file such information with the examination and approval authorities for the record.
Chapter VI Alteration and Termination
Article 42 Division or merger of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be reported to the examination and approval authorities for approval, after the liquidation, by the board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee.
In the case of an application for division or merger of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering education for non-academic qualifications, the examination and approval authorities shall reply in writing within three months from the date of receiving the application; in the case of an application for division or merger of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school offering education for academic qualifications, the examination and approval authorities shall reply in writing within six months from the date of receiving the application.
Article 43 Alteration of cooperators in running a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be proposed by the cooperators, and after liquidation, with the consent of the board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee, shall be reported to the examination and approval authorities for approval, and the relevant alteration formalities shall be undertaken.
Any alteration in the domicile, legal representative or the president or the principal administrator of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be subject to examination and approval of the examination and approval authorities, and the relevant alteration formalities shall be undertaken.
Article 44 Any alteration in the name, level or type of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be reported for approval by the board of trustees, the board of directors or the joint managerial committee to the examination and approval authorities.
In the case of an application for altering a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school to offer education for non-academic qualifications, the examination and approval authorities shall reply in writing within three months from the date of receiving the application; in the case of an application for altering a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school to offer education for academic qualifications, the examination and approval authorities shall reply in writing within six months from the date of receiving the application.
Article 45 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall be terminated in one of the following cases:
(1) where a request for termination is made in accordance with the articles of association and approved by the examination and approval authorities;
(2) where its permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school is revoked;
(3) where it is unable to continue its operation due to insolvency and such termination is approved by the examination and approval authorities.
A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall make proper arrangements for its students at school upon its termination; a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall submit a plan for such arrangements while applying for termination thereof.
Article 46 A Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall make liquidation in accordance with law upon termination.
Where a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school itself requests termination, the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall organize liquidation; where the termination is the result of dissolution by the examination and approval authorities in accordance with law, the examination and approval authorities shall organize liquidation; where the termination is the result of inability to continue the operations for education due to its insolvency, a people's court shall be requested according to law to organize liquidation.
Article 47 Upon liquidation, a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school shall settle its outstanding debts according to the following sequence:
(1) tuition and other fees that shall be refunded to the students;
(2) salaries due to the teaching and administrative staff and their social insurance premiums payable;
(3) payments for other outstanding debts.
The remaining assets of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school after the settlement of the above debts shall be handled in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and administrative regulations.
Article 48 Where a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school is terminated after approval or its permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school is revoked, it shall return its permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school and its official seals to the examination and approval authorities and register its cancellation in accordance with law.
Chapter VII Legal Liability
Article 49 Where the examination and approval authorities for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools or their personnel, by taking advantage of their office, accept money or property from others or obtain other interests, or, by abusing their power or neglecting their duty, issue a permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running a school to those that do not meet the requirements prescribed by these Regulations, or fail to conduct investigation when an illegal act is discovered, if the consequences are serious and the case violates the criminal law, the persons in charge who are responsible and other persons directly responsible shall be investigated for criminal liability in accordance with the provisions of the criminal law on the crime of acceptance of bribes, the crime of abuse of power, the crime of neglect of duty or other crimes; if the case is not serious for criminal punishments, they shall be given administrative sanctions in accordance with law.
Article 50 Where any authority, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, examines and approves a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school beyond the scope of power, the document of approval shall be null and void and the higher level authorities shall order it to make corrections; the persons in charge who are responsible and other persons directly responsible shall be given administrative sanctions in accordance with law; if public property or interests of the State and the people sustains heavy losses, they shall be investigated for criminal liability in accordance with the provisions of the criminal law on the crime of abuse of power or other crimes.
Article 51 Where anyone, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, establishes a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school without approval, or defrauds a permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school by illegitimate means, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall ban it according to their respective functions and duties, or, jointly with the public security organ, order it to return the fees collected from the students, and concurrently impose a fine of not more than 100,000 yuan; in case the criminal law is violated, criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the provisions of the criminal law on the crime of swindle or other crimes.
Article 52 Where anyone, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, enrolls students within the period of preparation for establishment of a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall, according to their respective functions and duties, order it to stop the enrollment of students and to return the fees collected from the students, and concurrently impose a fine of not more than 100,000 yuan; if the circumstances are serious and it refuses to stop the enrollment, the examination and approval authorities shall revoke the letter of approval for preparation for establishment.
Article 53 Where either Chinese or foreign cooperator in running a school makes false capital contribution or withdraws the capital contribution after establishment of the Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall, according to their respective functions and duties, order it to make corrections within a prescribed time limit; if it refuses to make such corrections within the prescribed time limit, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall, according to their respective functions and duties, impose a fine of not more than twofold of its false capital contribution or of its capital contribution withdrawn.
Article 54 Anyone who forges, alters, buys or sells a permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running a school shall be investigated for criminal liability in accordance with the provisions of the criminal law on the crime of forging, altering, buying or selling certificates of a State organ or other crimes.
Article 55 Where a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school adds items of fees charged or raises the level of fees charged without approval, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall, according to their respective functions and duties, order it to return the fees overcollected, and the pricing department shall punish it in accordance with the provisions of the relevant laws and administrative regulations.
Article 56 Where a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school causes gross adverse impacts due to its poor management or inferior educational and teaching quality, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall, according to their respective functions and duties, order it to make rectification within a prescribed time limit and make an announcement; if the circumstances are serious, or no rectification is made within the time limit, or the requirements are not met after its rectification, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall, according to their respective functions and duties, order it to stop its enrollment of students and revoke its permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school.
Article 57 Where anyone, in violation of the provisions of these Regulations, issues false enrollment brochures and swindles money or property, the education administrative department or the labour administrative department shall, according to their respective functions and duties, order it to make corrections within a prescribed time limit and give a warning, confiscate its illegal gains, if any, and may concurrently impose a fine of not more than 100,000 yuan after fees collected have been refunded, and, if the circumstances are serious, order it to stop enrollment of students and revoke its permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school; if a crime is constituted, criminal liability shall be investigated in accordance with the provisions of the criminal law on the crime of swindle or other crimes.
Where a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school issues false enrollment advertisements, it shall be investigated for legal liability in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Advertisement Law of the People's Republic of China.
Article 58 Where a Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school has its permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school revoked as an administrative punishment, the chairperson of its board of trustees or its board of directors, or its president or principal administrator shall be prohibited from taking positions of the chairperson of the board of trustees or of the board of directors, the president or principal administrator of any Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run school within ten years starting from the date of revocation of its permit for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running the school.
Those who violate the provisions of these Regulations and the criminal law and are punished for criminal liability in accordance with law shall be prohibited from engaging in activities of Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools within ten years starting from the date of completion of service of criminal punishments.
Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions
Article 59 Cooperation in running schools between educational institutions from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Macao Special Administrative Region or Taiwan and mainland educational institutions shall be handled with reference to the provisions of these Regulations.
Article 60 Measures for administration of for-profit training institutions which are cooperatively run by Chinese and foreign parties and registered at the administrative department for industry and commerce shall be formulated separately by the State Council.
Article 61 Specific measures for examination and approval and administration of cooperatively-run educational projects for offering education for academic qualifications, tutoring self-taught students for examinations, supplementary teaching of school courses or pre-school education, etc., which provide education mainly to Chinese citizens and are operated jointly by foreign educational institutions and Chinese educational institutions within the territory of China, shall be formulated by the education administrative department of the State Council.
Specific measures for examination and approval and administration of cooperatively-run educational projects for offering vocational skill training, which provide education mainly to Chinese citizens and are operated jointly by foreign educational institutions and Chinese educational institutions within the territory of China, shall be formulated by the labour administrative department of the State Council.
Article 62 No foreign educational institution, other organization or individual may establish unilaterally schools or other educational institutions providing education mainly to Chinese citizens within the territory of China.
Article 63 Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools established in accordance with law before the implementation of these Regulations shall apply retroactively for permits for Chinese-foreign cooperation in running schools as required by these Regulations. Those that do not fully meet the requirements prescribed by these Regulations shall, within two years starting from the date of implementation of these Regulations, accomplish such requirements; for those that fail to do so within the prescribed time limit, the examination and approval authorities shall dissolve them.
Article 64 These Regulations shall be effective as of September 1, 2003.
