According to Measures for the Administration of Foreign Funded Commercial Enterprises (Ministry of Commerce of the PRC, 2004, No. 8), foreign funded enterprises may engage in brokerage, wholesale, retail, and other specially authorized commercial activities. Foreign funded commercial enterprises must meet the following requirements:
(1) Minimum registered capital requirements as detailed in  Corporate Law

(2) Minimum registered capital and total investment amount  regulations   

(3) Term of operation of foreign funded enterprises generally does not exceed 30 years; in central and western China 40 years. Foreign funded wholesellers may not sell fertilizers, refined oil, or crude oil before Feb. 11, 2006. Foreign funded retailers may not sell fertilizer before Feb. 11, 2006. Foreign funded wholesellers may not sell salt or tobacco; foreign funded retailers may not sell tobacco.