Computer and Related Services

Information Technology Services
Under CEPA II, Hong Kong service suppliers can apply for the computer information system integration (SI) qualification certification in accordance with the provisions of the relevant regulations and rules promulgated by the Mainland. In consideration of the differences in business environment between Hong Kong and the Mainland, the Ministry of Information Industry (MII) has agreed to institute a series of transitional arrangements to facilitate Hong Kong IT service suppliers to apply for the SI qualification certification. During the transitional period from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2006, a series of special arrangements on certain assessment criteria are instituted for Hong Kong IT service suppliers to facilitate them to apply for the SI qualification certification.

In consideration of the implementation of the two-year transitional period, both the OGCIO and MII agreed to effect the following arrangements on 1 January 2007 through the further liberalization measures under CEPA in 2006 -

(a)	For enterprises applying SI qualification certification, there is no assessment on the "Professional Title";
(b)	Projects undertaken in both the Mainland and Hong Kong can be taken into account in counting the business turnover in SI;
(c)	For enterprises applying for Level 3 qualification certification, personnel involved in software development and system integration should not be less than 40; and
(d)	The quality management system of enterprises applying for levels one to three of the SI qualification certification is required to be certified by a third-party assessment body only.

You may refer to the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer Notices to Local IT Service Suppliers No. 3/2006 and 2/2007 for the details and application procedures for SI qualification certification and relevant project manager qualification under the special arrangements.

You may refer to the web pages of the Computer Information System Integration Qualification Certification Office of the MII (http://www.ceecm.gov.cn)

Please refer to the document below for frequently asked questions relevant to SI qualification certification:

Frequently Asked Questions (42KB)

Software Implementation Services
Under Supplement IV to CEPA, Hong Kong service suppliers are allowed to set up wholly-owned enterprises in the Mainland to provide software implementation services.

Data Processing Services
Under Supplement IV to CEPA, Hong Kong service suppliers are allowed to set up wholly-owned enterprises in the Mainland to provide data processing services.

Please refer to the document below for frequently asked questions relevant to software implementation services and data processing services:

Frequently Asked Questions (18KB)

Professionals and Technicians Qualification Examinations

Under CEPA II, eligible Hong Kong residents are allowed to take a wide range of qualification examinations for professionals and technicians in the Mainland, including the examinations for China Qualification Certificate of Computer and Software Technology Proficiency. An examination centre has been established in Hong Kong to facilitate Hong Kong IT professionals to take the examination locally for attaining the qualification.

Information regarding the qualification examination can be found in the relevant web page of MII's Education and Examination Centre:
http://www.ceiaec.org/zgks.htm

Details on the arrangement of the qualification examination in Hong Kong can be found in the relevant web page of the Asian Pacific Education Centre:
http://www.apec.org.hk/it_exam/ee_exam.php

Cultural Entertainment Services

Under CEPA II, Hong Kong service suppliers are allowed to set up internet culture business units and internet online service business premises in the Mainland with the Mainland party holding majority shareholding.

Details on the application procedures can be found in Trade and Industry Department (TID)'s CEPA web page:
http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/tradeservices/cultural.html

Audiovisual Services

Chinese Language Motion Pictures and Motion Pictures Jointly Produced
Under CEPA I, Chinese language motion pictures produced by Hong Kong (including animation) may be imported for distribution in the Mainland on a quota-free basis, after vetting and approval by the relevant Mainland authority. (* Already updated by relevant measures under CEPA III) Moreover, motion pictures (including animation) jointly produced by Hong Kong and the Mainland are treated as Mainland motion pictures for the purpose of distribution in the Mainland. Translated versions of the motion pictures in languages of other Chinese ethnic groups and Chinese dialects, which are based on the Putonghua version, are allowed to be distributed in the Mainland.

Under CEPA III, the Cantonese version of motion pictures (including animation) co-produced by Hong Kong and the Mainland is permitted to be distributed and screened in Guangdong Province, after obtaining the approval of the relevant authorities in the Mainland. The Cantonese version of motion pictures (including animation) produced by Hong Kong and solely imported by the Film Import and Export Corporation of the China Film Group Corporation is permitted to be distributed and screened in Guangdong Province, after being examined by and obtaining the approval of the relevant authorities in the Mainland. On the other hand, the import of Chinese language motion pictures (including animation) made by production companies which are set up in accordance with the relevant laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and own more than 50% of the copyright of motion pictures concerned is exempted from quota restrictions for distribution in the Mainland, after being examined by and obtaining the approval of the relevant authorities in the Mainland. (* Updated relevant measures in CEPA I)

Jointly Produced Television Dramas
Under CEPA II, television dramas (including animation) co-produced by the Mainland and Hong Kong are permitted to be broadcast and distributed in the same way as Mainland produced television dramas after being examined by the relevant Mainland authorities. Under CEPA III, television dramas co-produced by the Mainland and Hong Kong should be subject to the same standard on the number of episodes as that applicable to Mainland domestically-produced television dramas.

Details can be found in Trade and Industry Department (TID)'s CEPA web page:
http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/tradeservices/audiovisual.html

Individually Owned Stores

Under Supplement III & Supplement IV to CEPA, Hong Kong permanent residents with Chinese citizenship are allowed to set up, in accordance with the relevant Mainland laws, regulations and administrative regulations, individually owned stores in all provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government in the Mainland without being subject to the approval procedures applicable to foreign investments, to provide computer repair services, computer services and software services (excluding franchising operation). No more than 8 persons should be engaged in the operation of the individually owned stores.

Details on the application procedures for establishing individually owned stores in the Mainland can be found in Trade and Industry Department (TID)'s CEPA web page:
http://www.tid.gov.hk/english/cepa/tradeservices/ownedstores.html

Other Relevant Information about CEPA

You may access the CEPA web page of the Trade and Industry Department (TID) for other relevant information about CEPA.