Ever since China opened up to the world in 1980's, the Shanghai Municipal Government, led by the Communist Party of China and the State Council, makes great effort to build the city into an international economic, financial, trade and shipping center. With the cooperation and hardwork of Shanghai people, the city is progressing to its goal as a global metropolitan. The new team of leaders of the Shanghai government took office in February 2003. "The power of the government is entrusted by the people; the interest of people is above all," as Shanghai Mayor Han Zheng promise in his inaugural. Guided by the Shanghai Party Committee, the city's new leadership vows to strictly perform its official duties; to make significant progress in self-improvement, and to intensify the shift of its role from administrative to public service. The Shanghai government will build itself into a service government that would share with the people all their happiness and troubles; a solid responsible government that is efficient, honest and diligent; a law-abiding government that respects legal system and rules strictly and impartially.

10-plus new local regulations will come into force since July 1st, 2004 in Shanghai

11/19/2004

The lowest pay line lifted, and new housing transaction more transparent
Both January 1st and July 1st will see many of regulations formulated by the municipal government to be promulgated and come into force formally.
There are pretty many polices and local regulations closely inter-related to Shanghai grassroots' life that come into force July 1st, 2004. A serious of social security regulations with the milk of human kindness may bring the sense of security to common Shanghai residents. These changes closely related to their life can surely gain public praise and trust in a government in service, of liability and under rule of law from its grassroots.
Social Security
The new lowest monthly pay benchmark shall be RMB 635.
Since July 1st, 2004, Shanghai will re-adjust her lowest monthly pay bench up to RMB 635 from RMB 570 provided, however, that following items shall not be regarded as the components of the lowest pay and shall be paid by the employers: 1) social insurance premiums and public accumulation funds for housing construction payable by individuals according to law, 2) pay for extension of legal working hours, 3) allowances for middle and/or night shifts, high or low temperature, under well, poisonous and/or harmful working environment, and other special working environment and conditions, and 4) subsidies for food (dining subsidies), transportation costs for to-and-from work, and lodging.
The new bottom line for pay in case of sick leave shall be RMB 508.
It is provided by Shanghai Municipal Labor and Social Security Bureau that pay in case of sick leave or remedy money for diseases paid by any enterprises shall not less than 80% of the lower pay benchmark of employees of enterprises in Shanghai, i.e. the pay for employees in Shanghai in case of their sick leaves shall be no less than RMB 508.
Injuries in traffic accidents to-and-from work shall be regarded as injuries suffered at work.
Through Measures of Shanghai Municipality for Implementation of Insurance for Injuries Suffered at Work appears publicly on July 1st, 2004, the effecting date can be traced back to the 1st day of this year, i.e. this Measures is applicable to any and all incidents involving injuries suffered at work occurring since the beginning of this year.
The Measures provided the implementation of a payment system combing both fundamental and floating rates to relatively enhance the security level of people with injuries suffered at work. Totally 7 kinds of circumstance including injuries in traffic accidents to-and-from work are listed in the scope of insurance for injuries suffered at work. In case the basic value enjoyed due to insurance for injuries suffered at work is lower than the average social wages, the latter shall be calculated and paid to those injured, which may be favour to security of the basic life of the part of people with lower incomes.
Market Regulations
Conditional open-door to live chicken trade
Live chicken trade sees an open-door in Shanghai under the condition that safety is ensured. The preliminary trial test for live chicken sales will be carried out in Guohe, Kuizhao, Xinquan and other 3 food markets since July 1st, 2004. Sanguantang and other wholesale markets are coming into the trial operation phase. The live chicken retail spots listed in this plan in Shanghai will be given the unified silver-color logo with white characters in the blue background and unified serial numbers by each district.
Hongkou District not only makes a lead in trial test in Kuizhao Food Market but also plans and re-builds 12 live chicken retail spots. Since July 1st, those 13 liven chicken retail spots with the unified logo "Exclusive Live Chicken Retail Spot" will start their trades. Yangpu District listed 22 food markets into the reconstruction list of live chicken retail spots and put them into operation in one month after facilities reconstruction. The municipal Office of Administration of Subsidiary Foodstuff will announce a list of the first live chicken retail spots that meet requirements after reconstruction at the official websites of Shanghai Economic Commission (http://www.shian.gov.cn) and the Site of Circulation and Safety Information of Shanghai edible agricultural products (http://www.shian.gov.cn) at the end of this month. By October 1st, a full map of live chicken retails will be publicized to the whole society. All 461 live chicken retail spots and 3 live chicken wholesale markets under the primary layout will complete their re-construction work. Any and all live chicken trades in food market not listed in the layout are prohibited.
Housing sales require online show.
Since July 1st, 2004, buying and selling new houses in Shanghai are more strictly regulated. A "transparent" website (http://www.fangdi.com.cn) is going to show housing trades to public. Since July 1st, housing selling offices without network terminal will not be allowed to operate. Simultaneously, any and all new planned housings without pre-sale licenses are not allowed to be ordered by and sold to outside buyers. In new housing transaction, both parties shall have their own passwords to log into the system in order to pre-order, execute contracts, and present the registration information that can be found online.
Tell me your names and telephone numbers in buying antibacterial.
Since July 1st, 2004, licensed pharmacists shall inform patients of harms in their buying antibacterial, and dissuade consumers from buying antibacterial and call their attentions whereto. For those patients insisting on buying and being badly in need of antibacterial, sales to them shall be recorded and limited under direction of licensed pharmacists who shall, in addition, record names and telephone numbers of consumers as well as varieties and quantities of medicines, make everything traceable. Furthermore, each buying antibacterial shall be only for one period of treatment with a dosage for 3 days generally.
Transportation
You can over-load/over-limit only twice.
Since China's first Rules of Road Transport will come into force on July 1st, 2004, Shanghai's highway transportation administration authority also made 4 corresponding measures. Enterprise "in favour of" over-loading/over-limit shall be cautious. By collecting operation and over-loading information of freight companies and drivers wherein in Shanghai, a credit archive whereof is formed. Operation qualifications of any and all enterprises with three-times over-loading/over-limit detected will be revoked according to provisions of Ministry of Transportation.
Delay of scheduled flights shall be subject to economic compensations.
Since July 1st, 2004, passengers of flight travel may, upon confronting delay of scheduled flight, request for reasonable explanations. In case the delay is postponed for or over 4 hours due to causes of airline companies themselves, passengers shall be entitled to economic compensation. With regard to payment for such compensation in cash, discount of ticket fees or gifting of flight mileage, the airline companies shall be subject to opinions of passengers.
Total weight of carry-on baggage for each passenger may not exceed 5 kg.
According to provisions of Rules for Transportation of Baggage of Passengers of Chinese Civil Aircrafts coming into force since July 1st, 2004, each passenger shall limit his/her carry-on baggage allowance of or under 5 kg. Any and all passengers holding first-class tickets are entitled to carry up 2 pieces. All other passengers may carry on one piece only.
Other new regulations
"Rise in price" for water use beyond standard
The new charging scale for drainage costs adjusted by the municipal pricing bureau will come into force since July 1st, 2004. A system of cascade water charging calculation will be applied to residential users with a monthly water use basic value per home/water meter of 15 m3. And as per annually accumulative water use volume of 180 m3, the basic value shall be adjusted to RMB 0.90/m3, and RMB 1/m3 for excessive part.
Breakthroughs for individuals engaging in foreign trade
Any and all individuals upon due registration may engage in import/export trade. The Law of the People's Republic of China on Foreign Trade effecting on July 1st, 2004 will, for the first time, grant foreign trade powers to individuals. Even overseas natural persons are entitled to apply for such powers and engage in import/export agency businesses within China. The newly amended Foreign Trade Law canceled review and approval requirements for foreign trade and transform them into system of registration for reference.
Safety of "Spider-men" ensured.
Regulations on Buildings' Cleaning, Maintenance and Acceptance upon Pass of Check will come into force since July 1st, 2004. According to this Regulations, "spider-men" cleaning exterior walls shall go through safety check to test in-field high air wind force prior to start of work and ensure no damages to down-drawing working rope and/or sitting board.

The Shanghai government 2006