The Interim Methods for Trial Establishment of Chinese-Foreign Joint-Ventured Foreign Trade Companies promulgated in 1996 provided that joint-ventured foreign trade companies shall engage in goods and technologies import and export trade on self-operation or commission basis within the approved business scope, and shall not engage in other businesses without approval.

The Interim Methods for Establishment of Chinese-Foreign Joint-Ventured Foreign Trade Companies provides that joint-ventured foreign trade companies shall engage in goods and technologies import and export and other related services on self-operation or commission basis, and conduct domestic wholesaling business on self-imported commodities within the approved business scope in conformity with the relevant regulations of the State. Domestic wholesaling business on self-imported commodities becomes a new business of joint-ventured foreign trade companies, further increasing the business scope of the companies.

Administration over the import and export commodities the State controls with quota and license basically remain unchanged. In other words, joint-ventured foreign trade companies shall import or export the import and export commodities the State controls with quota and license after they have applied for and obtained the quotas and licenses from the relevant competent authorities of the State Council in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State. Before importing or exporting the import and export commodities the State practices public bidding for quotas, joint-ventured foreign companies shall follow the provisions on tender and bidding for import and export commodities set forth by the relevant competent authorities of the State Council.