In the interests of opening up and reform, attracting foreign capital, importing advanced technology and equipment, and invigorating China‘s film industry, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, and the Ministry of Culture promulgated in October 2000 the Interim Provisions on Foreign Investment in Cinemas. This was executed in line with relevant laws and regulations, including the Law of the People‘s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Equity Joint Ventures, the Law of the People‘s Republic of China on Chinese-Foreign Contractual Joint Ventures, and the Film Administration Regulations. According to the Interim Provisions, foreign companies, enterprises and other economic organizations or individuals (the foreign partner) are permitted to establish with Chinese companies and enterprises (the Chinese partner) Chinese-foreign equity joint ventures and Chinese-foreign contractual joint ventures in China to engage in the construction and renovation of cinemas and in film projection business. For the time being, wholly foreign-owned cinemas are not permitted in China.
