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Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao has signed a State Council Order No. 625, which would ban foreign-flag vessels from sailing on domestic waterways including the Chang Jiang. Vessels registered in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan will be exempted.
The ordinance aims to foster a fair and competitive market for the domestic waterway transport and prohibit monopolies and unfair competition behavior.
The regulation would also ban foreign enterprises to engage in inland waterway business. Those who use foreign vessels will be penalized and levied fines of up to RMB 1 million. In case of capacity shortage, shippers may seek exemptions.
This ordinance will be effective as of January 1, 2013 and the Waterborne Transport Management Regulations of People's Republic of China, which was issued by the State Council on May 12, 1987, will be abolished at the same time.
For the Chinese full text of the ordinance, click
http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2012-10/22/content_2248746.htm
