中华人民共和国票据法

 目 录
第一章 总 则
第二章 汇 票
第一节 出 票
第二节 背书
第三节 承兑
第四节 保证
第五节 付款
第六节 追索权
第三章 本票
第四章 支票
第五章 涉外票据的法律适用
第六章 法律责任
第七章 附 则
 
第一章 总 则
 第一条 为了规范票据行为，保障票据活动中当事人的合法权益，维护社会经济秩序，促进社会主义市场经济的发展，制定本法。
 第二条 在中华人民共和国境内的票据活动，适用本法。
本法所称票据，是指汇票、本票和支票。
 第三条 票据活动应当遵守法律、行政法规，不得损害社会公共利益。
 第四条 票据出票人制作票据，应当按照法定条件在票据上签章，并按照所记载的事项承担票据责任。
持票人行使票据权利，应当按照法定程序在票据上签章，并出示票据。
其他票据债务人在票据上签章的，按照票据所记载的事项承担票据责任。
本法所称票据权利，是指持票人向票据债务人请求支付票据金额的权利，包括付款请求权和追索权。
本法所称票据责任，是指票据债务人向持票人支付票据金额的义务。
 第五条 票据当事人可以委托其代理人在票据上签章，并应当在票据上表明其代理关系。
没有代理权而以代理人名义在票据上签章的，应当由签章人承担票据责任；代理人超越代理权限的，应当就其超越权限的部分承担票据责任。
 第六条 无民事行为能力人或者限制民事行为能力人在票据上签章的，其签章无效，但是不影响其他签章的效力。
 第七条 票据上的签章，为签名、盖章或者签名加盖章。
法人和其他使用票据的单位在票据上的签章，为该法人或者该单位的盖章加其法定代表人或者其授权的代理人的签章。
在票据上的签名，应当为该当事人的本名。
 第八条 票据金额以中文大写和数码同时记载；二者必须一致，二者不一致的，票据无效。
 第九条 票据上记载的事项必须符合本法的规定。
票据金额、日期、收款人名称不得更改，更改的票据无效。
对票据上的其他记载事项，原记载人可以更改，更改时应当由原记载人签章证明。
 第十条 票据的签发、取得和转让，应当遵守诚实信用的原则，具有真实的交易关系和债权债务关系。
票据的取得，必须给付对价，即应当给付票据双方当事人认可的相对应的代价。
 第十一条 因税收、继承、赠与可以依法无偿取得票据的，不受给付对价的限制。但是，所享有的票据权利不得优于其前手的权利。
前手是指在票据签章人或者持票人之前签章的其他票据债务人。
 第十二条 以欺诈、偷盗或者胁迫等手段取得票据的，或者明知有前列情形，出于恶意取得票据的，不得享有票据权利。
持票人因重大过失取得不符合本法规定的票据的，也不得享有票据权利。
 第十三条 票据债务人不得以自己与出票人或者与持票人的前手之间的抗辩事由，对抗持票人。但是，持票人明知存在抗辩事由而取得票据的除外。
票据债务人可以对不履行约定义务的与自己有直接债权债务关系的持票人，进行抗辨。
本法所称抗辨，是指票据债务人根据本法规定对票据债权人拒绝履行义务的行为。
 第十四条 票据上的记载事项应当真实，不得伪造、变造。伪造、变造票据上的签章和其他记载事项的，应当承担法律责任。
票据上有伪造、变造的签章的，不影响票据上其他真实签章的效力。
票据上其他记载事项被变造的，在变造之前签章的人，对原记载事项负责；在变造之后签章的人，对变造之后的记载事项负责；不能辨别票据是在被变造之前或者之后签章的，视同在变造之前签章。
 第十五条 票据丧失，失票人可以及时通知票据的付款人挂失止付，但是，未记载付款人或者无法确定付款人及其代理付款人的票据除外。
收到挂失止付通知的付款人，应当暂停支付。
失票人应当在通知挂失止付后3日内，也可以在票据丧失后，依法向人民法院申请公示催告，或者向人民法院提起诉讼。
 第十六条 持票人对票据债务人行使票据权利，或者保全票据权利，应当在票据当事人的营业场所和营业时间内进行，票据当事人无营业场所的，应当在其住所进行。
 第十七条 票据权利在下列期限内不行使而消灭：
 （一） 持票人对票据的出票人和承兑人的权利，自票据到期日期2年。见票即付的汇票、本票，自出票日起2年；
 （二） 持票人对支票出票人的权利，自出票日起6个月；
 （三） 持票人对前手的追索权，自被拒绝承兑或者被拒绝付款之日起6个月；
 （四） 持票人对前手的再追索权，自清偿日或者被提起诉讼之日起3个月。
票据的出票日、到期日由票据当事人依法确定。
 第十八条 持票人因超过票据权利时效或者因票据记载事项欠缺而丧失票据权利的，仍享有民事权利，可以请求出票人或者承兑人返还其与未支付的票据款金额相当的利益。
 
第二章 汇票
 
第一节 出票
 第十九条 汇票是出票人签发的，委托付款人在见票时或者在指定日期无条件支付确定的金额给收款人或者持票人的票据。
汇票分为银行汇票和商业汇票。
 第二十条 出票是指出票人签发票据并将其交付给收款人的票据行为。
 第二十一条 汇票的出票人必须与付款人具有真实的委托付款关系，并且具有支付汇票金额的可靠资金来源。
不得签发无对价的汇票用以骗取银行或者其他票据当事人的资金。
 第二十二条 汇票必须记载下列事项：
 （一） 表明“汇票”的字样；
 （二） 无条件支付的委托；
 （三） 确定的金额；
 （四） 付款人名称；
 （五） 收款人名称；
 （六） 出票日期；
 （七） 出票人签章。
汇票上未记载前款规定事项之一的，汇票无效。
 第二十三条 汇票上记载付款日期、付款地、出票地等事项的，应当清楚、明确。
汇票上未记载付款日期的，为见票即付。
汇票上未记载付款地的，付款人的营业场所、住所或者经常居住地为付款地。
汇票上未记载出票地的，出票人的营业场所、住所或者经常居住地为出票地。
 第二十四条 汇票上可以记载本法规定事项以外的其他出票事项，但是该记载事项不具有汇票上的效力。
 第二十五条 付款日期可以按照下列形式之一记载：
 （一） 见票即付；
 （二） 定日付款；
 （三） 出票后定期付款；
 （四） 见票后定期付款。
前款规定的付款日期为汇票到期日。
 第二十六条 出票人签发汇票后，即承担该汇票承兑和付款的责任。出票人在汇票得不到承兑或者付款时，，应当向持票人清偿本法第七十条、第七十一条规定的金额和费用。
 
第二节 背书
 第二十七条 持票人可以将汇票权利转让给他人或者将一定的汇票权利授予他人行使。
出票人在汇票上记载“不得转让”字样的，汇票不得转让。
持票人行使第一款规定的权利时，应当背书并交付汇票。
背书是指在票据背面或者粘单上记载有关事项并签章的票据行为。
 第二十八条 票据凭证不能满足背书人记载事项的需要，可以加附粘单，粘附于票据凭证上。
粘单上的第一记载人，应当在汇票和粘单的粘接处签章。
 第二十九条 背书由背书人签章并记载背书日期。
背书未记载日期的，视为在汇票到期日前背书。
 第三十条 汇票以背书转让或者以背书将一定的汇票权利授予他人行使时，必须记载背书人名称。
 第三十一条 以背书转让的汇票，背书应当连续。持票人以背书的连续，证明其汇票权利；非经背书转让，而以其他合法方式取得汇票的，依法举证，证明其汇票权利。
前款所称背书连续，是指在票据转让中，转让汇票的背书人与受让汇票的被背书人在汇票上的签章依次前后衔接。
 第三十二条 以背书转让的汇票，后手应当对其直接前手背书的真实性负责。
后手是指在票据签章人之后签章的其他票据债务人。
 第三十三条 背书不得附有条件。背书时附有条件的，所附条件不具有汇票上的效力。
将汇票金额的一部分转让的背书或者将汇票金额分别转让给二人以上的背书无效。
 第三十四条 背书人在汇票上记载“不得转让”字样，其后手再背书转让的，原背书人对后手的被背书人不承担保证责任。
 第三十五条 背书记载“委托收款”字样的，被背书人有权代背书人行使被委托的汇票权利。但是，被背书人不得再以背书转让汇票权利。
汇票可以设定质押；质押时应当以背书记载“质押”字样。被背书人依法实现其质权时，可以行使汇票权利。
 第三十六条 汇票被拒绝承兑、被拒绝付款或者超过付款提示期限的，不得背书转让；背书转让的，背书人应当承担汇票责任。
 第三十七条 背书人以背书转让汇票后，即承担保证其后手所持汇票承兑和付款的责任。背书人在汇票得不到承兑或者付款时，应当向持票人清偿本法第七十条、第七十一条规定的金额和费用。
 
第三节 承兑
 第三十八条 承兑是指汇票付款人承诺在汇票到期日支付汇票金额的票据行为。
 第三十九条 定日付款或者出票后定期付款的汇票，持票人应当在汇票到期日前向付款人提示承兑。
提示承兑是指持票人向付款人出示汇票，并要求付款人承诺付款的行为。
 第四十条 见票后定期付款的汇票，持票人应当自出票日起1个月内向付款人提示承兑。
汇票未按照规定期限提示承兑的，持票人丧失对其前手的追索权。
见票即付的汇票无需提示承兑。
 第四十一条 付款人对向其提示承兑的汇票。应当自收到提示承兑的汇票之日起3日内承兑或者拒绝承兑。
付款人收到持票人提示承兑的汇票时，应当向持票人签发收到汇票的回单。回单上应当记明汇票提示承兑日期并签章。
 第四十二条 付款人承兑汇票的，应当在汇票正面记载“承兑”字样和承兑日期并签章；见票后定期付款的汇票，应当在承兑时记载付款日期。
汇票上未记载承兑日期的，以前条第一款规定期限的最后一日为承兑日期。
 第四十三条 付款人承兑汇票，不得附有条件；承兑附有条件的，视为拒绝承兑。
 第四十四条 付款人承兑汇票后，应当承担到期付款的责任。
 
第四节 保证
 第四十五条 汇票的债务可以由保证人承担保证责任。
保证人由汇票债务人以外的他人担当。
 第四十六条 保证人必须在汇票或者粘单上记载下列事项：
 （一） 表明“保证”的字样；
 （二） 保证人名称和住所；
 （三） 被保证人的名称；
 （四） 保证日期；
 （五） 保证人签章。
 第四十七条 保证人在汇票或者粘单上未记载前条第（三）项的，已承兑的汇票，承兑人为被保证人；未承兑的汇票，出票人为被保证人。
保证人在汇票或者粘单上未记载前条第（四）项的，出票日期为保证日期。
 第四十八条 保证不得附有条件；附有条件的，不影响对汇票的保证责任。
 第四十九条 保证人对合法取得汇票的持票人所享有的汇票权利，承担保证责任。但是，被保证人的债务因汇票记载事项欠缺而无效的除外。
 第五十条 被保证的汇票，保证人应当与被保证人对持票人承担连带责任。汇票到期后得不到付款的，持票人有权向保证人请求付款，保证人应当足额付款。
 第五十一条 保证人为二人以上的，保证人之间承担连带责任。
 第五十二条 保证人清偿汇票债务后，可以行使持票人对被保证人及其前手的追索权。
 
第五节 付款
 第五十三条 持票人应当按照下列期限提示付款：
 （一） 见票即付的汇票，自出票日起1个月内向付款人提示付款；
 （二） 定日付款、出票后定期付款或者见票后定期付款的汇票，自到期日起10日内向承兑人提示付款。
持票人未按照前款规定期限提示付款的，在作出说明后，承兑人或者付款人仍应当继续对持票人承担付款责任。
通过委托收款银行或者通过票据交换系统向付款人提示付款的，视同持票人提示付款。
 第五十四条 持票人依照前条规定提示付款的，付款人必须在当日足额付款。
 第五十五条 持票人获得付款的，应当在汇票上签收，并将汇票交给付款人。持票人委托银行收款的，受委托的银行将代收的汇票金额转帐收入持票人帐户，视同签收。
 第五十六条 持票人委托的收款银行的责任，限于按照汇票上记载事项将汇票金额转入持票人帐户。
付款人委托的付款银行的责任，限于按照汇票上记载事项从付款人帐户支付汇票金额。
 第五十七条 付款人及其代理付款人付款时，应当审查汇票背书的连续，并审查提示付款人的合法身份证明或者有效证件。
付款人及其代理付款人以恶意或者有重大过失付款的，应当自行承担责任。
 第五十八条 对定日付款、出票后定期付款或者见票后定期付款的汇票，付款人在到期日前付款的，由付款人自行承担所产生的责任。
 第五十九条 汇票金额为外币的，按照付款日的市场汇价，以人民币支付。
汇票当事人对汇票支付的货币种类另有约定的，从其约定。
 第六十条 付款人依法足额付款后，全体汇票债务人的责任解除。
 
第六节 追索权
 第六十一条 汇票到期被拒绝付款的，持票人可以对背书人、出票人以及汇票的其他债务人行使追索权。
汇票到期日前，有下列情形之一的，持票人也可以行使追索权：
 （一） 汇票被拒绝承兑的；
 （二） 承兑人或者付款人死亡、逃匿的；
 （三） 承兑人或者付款人被依法宣告破产的或者因违法被责令终止业务活动的。
 第六十二条 持票人行使追索权时，应当提供被拒绝承兑或者被拒绝付款的有关证明。
持票人提示承兑或者提示付款被拒绝的，承兑人或者付款人必须出具拒绝证明，或者出具退票理由书。未出具拒绝证明或者退票理由书的，应当承担由此产生的民事责任。
 第六十三条 持票人因承兑人或者付款人死亡、逃匿或者其他原因，不能取得拒绝证明的，可以依法取得其他有关证明。
 第六十四条 承兑人或者付款人被人民法院依法宣告破产的，人民法院的有关司法文书具有拒绝证明的效力。
承兑人或者付款人因违法被责令终止业务活动的，有关行政主管部门的处罚决定具有拒绝证明的效力。
 第六十五条 持票人不能出示拒绝证明、退票理由书或者未按照规定期限提供其他合法证明的，丧失对其前手的追索权。但是，承兑人或者付款人仍应当对持票人承担责任。
 第六十六条 持票人应当自收到被拒绝承兑或者被拒绝付款的有关证明之日起3日内，将被拒绝事由书面通知其前手；其前手应当自收到通知之日起3日内书面通知其再前手。持票人也可以同时向各汇票债务人发出书面通知。
未按照前款规定期限通知的，持票人仍可以行使追索权。因延期通知给其前手或者出票人造成损失的，由没有按照规定期限通知的汇票当事人，承担对该损失的赔偿责任，但是所赔偿的金额以汇票金额为限。
在规定期限内将通知按照法定地址或者约定的地址邮寄的，视为已经发出通知。
 第六十七条 依照前条第一款所作的书面通知，应当记明汇票的主要记载事项，并说明该汇票已被退票。
 第六十八条 汇票的出票人、背书人、承兑人和保证人对持票人承担连带责任。
持票人可以不按照汇票债务人的先后顺序，对其中任何一人、数人或者全体行使追索权。
持票人对汇票债务人中的一人或者数人已经进行追索的，对其他汇票债务人仍可以行使追索权。被追索人清偿债务后，与持票人享有同一权利。
 第六十九条 持票人为出票人的，对其前手无追索权。持票人为背书人的，对其后手无追索权。
 第七十条 持票人行使追索权，可以请求被追索人支付下列金额和费用：
 （一） 被拒绝付款的汇票金额；
 （二） 汇票金额自到期日或者提示付款日起至清偿日止，按照中国人民银行规定的利率计算的利息；
 （三） 取得有关拒绝证明和发出通知书的费用。
被追索人清偿债务时，持票人应当交出汇票和有关拒绝证明，并出具所收到利息和费用的收据。
 第七十一条 被追索人依照前条规定清偿后，可以向其他汇票债务人行使再追索权，请求其他汇票债务人支付下列金额和费用：
 （一） 已清偿的全部金额；
 （二） 前项金额自清偿日起至再追索清偿日止，按照中国人民银行规定的利率计算的利息；
 （三） 发出通知书的费用。
行使再追索权的被迫索人获得清偿时，应当交出汇票和有关拒绝证明，并出具所收到利息和费用的收据。
 第七十二条 被追索人依照前二条规定清偿债务后，其责任解除。
 
第三章 本票
 第七十三条 本票是出票人签发的，承诺自己在见票时无条件支付确定的金额给收款人或者持票人的票据。
本法所称本票，是指银行本票。
 第七十四条 本票的出票人必须具有支付本票金额的可靠资金来源，并保证支付。
 第七十五条 本票出票人的资格由中国人民银行审定，具体管理办法由中国人民银行规定。
 第七十六条 本票必须记载下列事项：
 （一） 表明“本票”的字样；
 （二） 无条件支付的承诺；
 （三） 确定的金额；
 （四） 收款人名称；
 （五） 出票日期；
 （六） 出票人签章。
本票上未记载前款规定事项之一的，本票无效。
 第七十七条 本票上记载付款地、出票地等事项的，应当清楚、明确。
本票上未记载付款地的，出票人的营业场所为付款地。
本票上未记载出票地的，出票人的营业场所为出票地。
 第七十八条 本票的出票人在持票人提示见票时，必须承担付款的责任。
 第七十九条 本票自出票日起，付款期限最长不得超过2个月。
 第八十条 本票的持票人未按照规定期限提示见票的，丧失对出票人以外的前手的追索权。
 第八十一条 本票的背书、保证、付款行为和追索权的行使，除本章规定外，适用本法第二章有关汇票的规定。
本票的出票行为，除本章规定外，适用本法第二十四条关于汇票的规定。
 
第四章 支票
 第八十二条 支票是出票人签发的，委托办理支票存款业务的银行或者其他金融机构在见票时无条件支付确定的金额给收款人或者持票人的票据。
 第八十三条 开立支票存款帐户，申请人必须使用本名，并提交证明其身份的合法证件。
开立支票存款帐户和领用支票，应当有可靠的资信，并存入一定的资金。
开立支票存款帐户，申请人应当预留其本名的签名式样和印鉴。
 第八十四条 支票可以支取现金，也可以转帐，用于转帐时，应当在支票正面注明。
支票中专门用于支取现金的，可以另行制作现金支票，现金支票只能用于支取现金。
支票中专门用于转帐的，可以另行制作转帐支票，转帐支票只能用于转帐，不得支取现金。
 第八十五条 支票必须记载下列事项：
 （一） 表明“支票”的字样；
 （二） 无条件支付的委托；
 （三） 确定的金额；
 （四） 付款人名称；
 （五） 出票日期；
 （六） 出票人签章。
支票上未记载前款规定事项之一的，支票无效。
 第八十六条 支票上的金额可以由出票人授权补记，未补记前的支票，不得使用。
 第八十七条 支票上未记载收款人名称的，经出票人授权，可以补记。
支票上未记载付款地的，付款人的营业场所为付款地。
支票上未记载出票地的，出票人的营业场所、住所或者经常居住地为出票地。
出票人可以在支票上记载自己为收款人。
 第八十八条 支票的出票人所签发的支票金额不得超过其付款时在付款人处实有的存款金额。
出票人签发的支票金额超过其付款时在付款人处实有的存款金额的，为空头支票。禁止签发空头支票。
 第八十九条 支票的出票人不得签发与其预留本名的签名式样或者印鉴不符的支票。
 第九十条 出票人必须按照签发的支票金额承担保证向该持票人付款的责任。
出票人在付款人处的存款足以支付支票金额时，付款人应当在当日足额付款。
 第九十一条 支票限于见票即付，不得另行记载付款日期。另行记载付款日期的，该记载无效。
 第九十二条 持票人应当自出票日起10日内提示付款；异地使用的支票，其提示付款期限由中国人民银行另行规定。
超过提示付款期限的，付款人可以不予付款；付款人不予付款的，出票人仍应当对持票人承担票据责任。
 第九十三条 付款人依法支付支票金额的，对出票人不再承担受委托付款的责任，对持票人不再承担付款的责任。但是，付款人以恶意或者有重大过失付款的除外。
 第九十四条 支票的背书、付款行为和追索权的行使，除本章规定外，适用本法第二章有关汇票的规定。
支票的出票行为，除本章规定外，适用本法第二十四条、第二十六条关于汇票的规定。
 
第五章 涉外票据的法律适用
 第九十五条 涉外票据的法律适用，依照本章的规定确定。
前款所称涉外票据，是指出票、背书、承兑、保证、付款等行为中，既有发生在中华人民共和国境内又有发生在中华人民共和国境外的票据。
 第九十六条 中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约同本法有不同规定的，适用国际条约的规定。但是，中华人民共和国声明保留的条款除外。
本法和中华人民共和国缔结或者参加的国际条约没有规定的，可以适用国际惯例。
 第九十七条 票据债务人的民事行为能力，适用其本国法律。
票据债务人的民事行为能力，依照其本国法律为无民事行为能力或者为限制民事行为能力而依照行为地法律为完全民事行为能力的，适用行为地法律。
 第九十八条 汇票、本票出票时的记载事项，适用出票地法律。
支票出票时的记载事项，适用出票地法律，经当事人协议，也可以适用付款地法律。
 第九十九条 票据的背书、承兑、付款和保证行为，适用行为地法律。
 第一百条 票据追索权的行使期限，适用出票地法律。
 第一百零一条 票据的提示期限、有关拒绝证明的方式、出具拒绝证明的期限，适用付款地法律。
 第一百零二条 票据丧失时，失票人请求保全票据权利的程序，适用付款地法律。
 
第六章 法律责任
 第一百零三条 有下列票据欺诈行为之一的，依法追究刑事责任：
 （一） 伪造、变造票据的；
 （二） 故意使用伪造、变造的票据的；
 （三） 签发空头支票或者故意签发与其预留的本名签名式样或者印鉴不符的支票，骗取财物的；
 （四） 签发无可靠资金来源的汇票、本票，骗取资金的；
 （五） 汇票、本票的出票人在出票时作虚假记载，骗取财物的；
 （六） 冒用他人的票据，或者故意使用过期或者作废的票据，骗取财物的；
 （七） 付款人同出票人、持票人恶意串通，实施前六项所列行为之一的。
 第一百零四条 有前条所列行为之一，情节轻微，不构成犯罪的，依照国家有关规定给予行政处罚。
 第一百零五条 金融机构工作人员在票据业务中玩忽职守，对违反本法规定的票据予以承兑、付款或者保证的，给予处分；造成重大损失，构成犯罪的，依法追究刑事责任。
由于金融机构工作人员因前款行为给当事人造成损失的，由该金融机构和直接责任人员依法承担赔偿责任。
 第一百零六条 票据的付款人对见票即付或者到期的票据，故意压票，拖延支付的，由金融行政管理部门处以罚款，对直接责任人员给予处分。
票据的付款人故意压票，拖延支付，给持票人造成损失的，依法承担赔偿责任。
 第一百零七条 依照本法规定承担赔偿责任以外的其他违反本法规定的行为，给他人造成损失的，应当依法承担民事责任。
 
第七章 附 则
 第一百零八条 本法规定的各项期限的计算，适用民法通则关于计算期间的规定。
按月计算期限的，按到期月的对日计算；无对日的，月末日为到期日。
 第一百零九条 汇票、本票、支票的格式应当统一。
票据凭证的格式和印制管理办法，由中国人民银行规定。
 第一百一十条 票据管理的具体实施办法，由中国人民银行依照本法制定，报国务院批准后施行。
 第一百一十一条 本法自1996年1月1日起施行。
 
    全国人民代表大会常务委员会 1995年5月10日 颁布

      (Adopted at the 13th Session of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People's Congress on May 10th, 1995; Revised at the 11th Session of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on August 28th, 2004) Contents

Chapter I General Provisions

Chapter II Drafts

Section 1 Drawing of Drafts

Section 2 Endorsement

Section 3 Acceptance

Section 4 Guarantee

Section 5 Payment

Section 6 Right of Recourse

Chapter III Promissory Notes

 Chapter IV Checks

Chapter V Application of Law on Foreign-related Negotiable Instruments

Chapter VI Legal Responsibilities

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I General Provisions

      Article 1 The law has been drawn up with a view to standardizing the behavior in the transaction of negotiable instruments, protecting the legitimate rights and interests of parties involved in the negotiable instruments transaction activities, safeguarding the social and economic order and promoting the development of the socialist market economy.

     Article 2 The law applies to all transaction activities in negotiable instruments within the territory of the People's Republic of China. The negotiable instruments as referred in this law include bills of exchange, promissory notes and checks.

    Article 3 Activities of negotiable instruments transaction shall abide by law, administrative regulations and decrees， and shall not in any way infringe upon the public interests.

     Article 4 In drafting negotiable instruments, a drawer shall put his/her signature or seal to the instruments according to the legal conditions and bear the liabilities for the negotiable instruments in compliance with the items recorded on them.

      In exercising the rights associated with the negotiable instruments, a holder shall put his/her signature or seal to the negotiable instruments according to the legal procedures and present the instruments.

     Other debtors who have put their signatures or seals on the negotiable instruments shall assume the obligations in compliance with the items recorded on them. The term "rights associated with the negotiable instruments" used in this law refers to the rights of the holder to claim payment according to the amount specified in the negotiable instruments, including the right of claim and the right of recourse.

    The term "obligations associated with the negotiable instruments" used in this law refers to the obligations of the debtor to pay the amount specified in the negotiable instruments to the holder.

     Article 5 Parties to a negotiable instrument may entrust their agents to put their signatures or seals to the instruments and clearly indicate their agency relationship.

     If a negotiable instrument bears the signature or seal in the name of an agent without the power of attorney, the obligations associated with the negotiable instrument shall be performed by the person or persons who have put the signatures or seals to the negotiable instrument. If an agent has gone beyond his/her attorneyship, he/she shall perform the obligations associated with the negotiable instrument on the part that exceeds his/her term of reference.

     Article 6 If a negotiable instrument bears the signature or seal of a person who is incapable of civil acts or by a person whose civil acts have been restricted, the signature or the seal is invalid, but that shall not affect the validity of other signatures and seals on the same instrument.

     Article 7 The signature/seal on a negotiable instrument mean signature or seal, or signature plus seal.

     The signature/seal of a legal person and other unit using negotiable instruments shall be the seal of the legal person or unit plus the signature or seal of their legal representative or their authorized agent.

     The signature on a negotiable instrument shall be the true name of the person who signs it.

     Article 8 The amount of a negotiable instrument shall be written in both Chinese characters and in numerals and the two shall tally with each other. The negotiable instruments shall be invalid if the words and figures do not tally.

     Article 9 The items recorded in a negotiable instrument shall conform to the provisions of this law. The amount, date and name of the receiver shall not be altered. If they are altered, the negotiable instrument shall become invalid.

     Other matters recorded in a negotiable instrument may be altered by the original recorder and the alteration shall be certified by a signature or seal put on it by the original recorder.

     Article 10 The draft, acquisition and transfer of a negotiable instrument shall follow the principle of authenticity and creditability and be treated as a real act of trading or debt payment.

     A negotiable instrument shall be acquired against a corresponding price, that is, the price acknowledged by both parties to a negotiable instrument.

      Article 11 If a negotiable instrument is obtained free of charge according to law due to taxation, inheritance and donation, it is not restricted by the corresponding price rule. But the rights to the instrument enjoyed shall not be superior than those enjoyed by the prior holder.

     The prior holder refers to a debtor who puts his/her signature or seal to the negotiable instruments before acquired by the present signer or holder.

     Article 12 In the case of obtaining a negotiable instrument by deception, theft or coercion or obtaining a negotiable instrument which has been knowingly obtained by deception, theft or coercion out of malicious motives, the holder shall not enjoy the rights associated with the negotiable instruments.

     A holder who has obtained the negotiable instruments not conformable to the provisions of this law due to major errors shall not enjoy the rights associated with the negotiable instruments either,

     Article 13 The debtor for a negotiable instrument shall not protest against the holder on the ground of protesting against the drawer or the prior holder, except when the holder has obtained the negotiable instrument with the clear knowledge of the ground for protest.

     The debtor for a negotiable instrument may protest against the holder having direct debtor-creditor relationship with him/her but refusing to perform his/her agreed obligations.

     The term "protest" used in this law refers to the act of the debtor for a negotiable instrument s to refuse to perform obligations to the creditors according to the provisions of this law.

     Article 14 Matters recorded on the negotiable instruments shall be true to the facts. Forging or alteration is not allowed. Those who forge or alter the signatures or seals or other items recorded on the negotiable instruments shall bear legal responsibilities.

 ;    The forged or altered signatures or seals do not affect the validity of the true signatures or seals on the same negotiable instruments. If any item recorded on the negotiable instruments has been altered, the person who signs the instrument before the alteration shall be responsible for the matters originally recorded.

     The person who signs the instruments after the alteration shall be responsible for the matters recorded after the alterations. If it is impossible to tell whether the signatures or seals are made before or after the alteration, they are regarded as being made before the alterations.

     Article 15 In the case of loss of a negotiable instrument, the person who loses it may timely notify the payer of the negotiable instrument to refuse payment on the lost instrument, except in the cases in which the payer is not recorded or it is impossible to determine the payee and the agency payer.

      The payer shall suspend payment after receiving the notice for suspending payment due to lost instrument.

     Owner of the lost negotiable instrument shall, within three days of issuing the notice for suspending payment due to lost instrument, or immediately after the negotiable instrument is lost, apply for public summons with the People's Court or indict with the People's Court.

     Article 16 The exercising of the rights associated with the negotiable instruments on instrument debtors or the right for the protection of the negotiable instrument shall be conducted at the business sites and during the business hours of the parties to the negotiable instruments and, if the parties to the negotiable instruments have no business sites, it shall be conducted in their residences.

     Article 17 The rights to the negotiable instruments shall expire if not exercised within the following time limits:

     1. Within two years from the time of the maturity of the negotiable instruments for the right of the holder to the drawer and acceptor, or, within two years from the date of draft for bills and notes payable at sight;

     2. Within six months from the date of draft for the right of the holder to the drawer;

     3. Within six months from the date of non-acceptance or dishonor for the right of recourse of the holder to the prior holder;

     4. Within three months from the date of liquidation or the date of indictment for the right of re-recourse.

     The date of draft and the due date shall be fixed by parties to the negotiable instruments according to law.

     Article 18 Holders who have lost the right to the negotiable instruments due to the expiry of the validity period for the exercise of the rights to the negotiable instruments or due to the inadequacy of the recordings on the negotiable instruments still enjoy the civil rights and may request the drawers or acceptors to return the interests in equal amount specified in the negotiable instruments unpaid.

Chapter II Drafts

 Section 1 Drawing of Drafts

     Article 19 A draft is a bill signed by the drawer, requiring the entrusted payer to make unconditional payment in a fixed amount at the sight of the bill or on a fixed date to the payee or the holder.

     Drafts include bank drafts and commercial drafts.

     Article 20 The drawing of a draft refers to the act of a drawer to sign and deliver the draft to the payee.

     Article 21 The drawer of a draft shall have real authorized payment relations with the payees and have reliable sources of fund to pay the draft amount.

     It is forbidden to sign drafts without corresponding prices for the purpose of acquiring funds from banks or other parties to the negotiable instrument by deception.

     Article 22 A draft shall bear the following items:

     1. Chinese characters denoting "draft";

     2. Commission on unconditional payment;

     3. The amount of money fixed;

     4. Name of the payer;

     5. Name of the payee;

     6. Date of draft;

     7. Signature of the drawer.

     A draft lacking one of the items listed above is invalid.

     Article 23 The date of payment, place of payment and place of draft recorded on the draft shall be clear and definite.

     If a draft does not bear the date of payment, it is a draft payable at sight.

     If a draft does not bear the place of payment, the place of payment shall be the business site or the residence of the payer or the place where the payer often lives.

     If a draft does not bear the place of draft, the place of draft shall be taken as the business site or residence of the drawer or the place where the drawer often lives.

     Article 24 Items other than those provided for by this law may be recorded on a draft, but such items do not have the draft effect.

     Article 25 The date of payment may be recorded in one of the following forms:

     1. Payable at sight;

     2. Dated payment;

     3. Payable on a fixed date after draft;

     4. Payable on a fixed date after sight. The date of payment provided for in the preceding paragraph is the due date of the draft.

    Article 26 After signing the draft, the drawer shall bear the responsibility of ensuring the acceptance and payment of the draft.

     If a drawer has failed to get the draft accepted or paid, the drawer shall undertake to pay the amount and expenses provided for in Article 70 and Article 71 of this law.

Section 2 Endorsement

     Article 27 The holder of a draft may transfer the rights associated with the draft or authorize others to exercise some of the rights.

     If the drawer writes the Chinese characters meaning "Not Transferable" on a draft, the draft shall not be transferred.

     In exercising the rights provided for in the first paragraph, the holder shall endorse it and deliver the draft.

     "Endorsement" refers to the recording of items concerned on the backside of a draft or on the allonge to the draft with a signature or seal put to the record.

     Article 28 If the draft instrument has not enough space to satisfy the needs of writing, an allonge may be attached. The first person who writes on the allonge shall put his/her signature or seal to the sticking line of the allonge.

     Article 29 An endorsement shall be signed by the endorser, with the date of endorsement. An endorsement without date shall be regarded as an endorsement before the due date.

     Article 30 If a draft is endorsed over to another person entirely or in part, the draft shall bear the name of the endorser.

     Article 31 In endorsing over a draft to others, the endorsement shall be in uninterrupted series. The holder shall prove the rights associated with the draft by an uninterrupted series of endorsement. If a draft is not endorsed over to another person, the holder shall put to the proof the right on the draft according to law.

     The term "uninterrupted series" used in the preceding paragraph refers to the sequential consistency in the signatures or seals by the endorser and the endorsee in the transfer of negotiable instruments.

     Article 32 In endorsing a draft to others, the subsequent endorser shall be responsible for the authenticity of the endorsement by the immediate prior endorser.

     The subsequent endorser refers to the other debtors involved in the draft signed after the signer of the draft.

     Article 33 An endorsement shall not have conditions attached, If an endorsement has conditions attached, the conditions do not have the effect on the draft.

     The endorsement which transfers part or the entire amount on the draft to two or more persons is invalid.

     Article 34 If an endorser writes the words "Not Transferable" on a draft and the draft is transferred by the subsequent endorser, the original endorser shall not bear the liability of guarantee to the subsequent endorsee.

     Article 35 If an endorsement bears the word "Collection", the endorsee has the right to exercise the rights to the draft commissioned on behalf of the endorser. But the endorsee shall not re-endorse over a draft to others.

     A draft may be mortgaged. In mortgaging a draft, the word "Hypothecation" shall be written in the form of endorsement. When having acquired the hypothecation according to law, the endorsee may exercise the rights to the draft.

     Article 36 A draft shall not be endorsed over to others when it has been refused to pay or accepted or the time of payment as indicated is overdue. If such a draft is endorsed over to others, the endorser shall bear the liability of the draft.

     Article 37 After an endorser has endorsed over a draft to others, the endorser shall be liable to ensure the draft in the hands of the subsequent holder are accepted or paid. If an endorser cannot get the draft accepted or paid, the endorser shall undertake to claim payment in the amount of the draft plus expenses from the holder as provided in Article 70 and Article 71 of this law.

 Section 3 Acceptance

     Article 38 Acceptance refers to a promise of a draft payer to pay the actual amount of draft when the draft is due.

       Article 39 For a draft payable on a fixed date or on a fixed date set after the date of draft, the holder shall make presentation for acceptance to the payer before the due date of draft. Presentation for acceptance refers to the act of the holder to present the draft and demand for the pledge of the payer to pay.

     Article 40 For a draft payable on a fixed date after sight, the holder shall present it for acceptance to the payer within one month starting from the date of draft.

     If a holder has failed to make presentation for acceptance according to the prescribed time limit, that holder shall lose the right of recourse against the prior holder.

     No presentation for acceptance is necessary for a draft payable at sight.

     Article 41 A payer shall accept or refuse to accept a draft for which the presentation for acceptance has been made within three days after receiving the draft for which presentation for acceptance is made. After receiving the draft for which presentation for acceptance is made, the payer shall sign an acknowledgment for receiving the draft. The acknowledgment shall specify the date of the presentation for acceptance and shall be signed.

     Article 42 In accepting a draft, the payer shall write "Accepted" across the face of the draft and the date of acceptance and fix the seal. For a draft payable on a fixed date after sight, the date of payment shall be recorded in acceptance.

     If no date of acceptance is recorded on a draft, the last day of the time limit prescribed in the first paragraph of the preceding article shall be taken as the date of acceptance.

     Article 43 There shall be no conditions attached in accepting a draft. If there are conditions attached in acceptance, it shall be regarded as refusal of acceptance.

     Article 44 After accepting a draft, the payer shall be liable to pay when the draft is due.

Section 4 Guarantee

     Article 45 A guarantor shall undertake the liabilities of guaranty for the debt involved in the draft. A guarantor shall be some person other than the debtor of the draft.

     Article 46 A guarantor shall record the following items on the draft or allonge:

     1. The word "Guarantee";

     2. Name and residence of the guarantor;

     3. Name of the guaranteed party;

     4. Signature or seal of the guarantor.

     Article 47 If a guarantor has failed to record item 3 of the preceding article on the draft or allonge, the acceptor shall be the guaranteed party of the accepted draft; and the drawer shall be the guaranteed party for the draft not accepted. If the guarantor has failed to record item 4 of the preceding article, the date of draft shall be the date of guaranty.

     Article 48 A guarantor shall guarantee that there are no conditions attached. If conditions have been attached, they shall not affect the liability of guaranty for the draft.

     Article 49 A guarantor shall undertake the liability of guaranty for the right to the draft enjoyed by the holder who has acquired the draft according to law, except cases when the debt guaranteed has become invalid due to inadequate recording in the draft.

     Article 50 A guarantor shall undertake several liability together with the guaranteed for the draft under guarantee. If the draft is not paid when due, the holder has the right to demand the guarantor for payment and the guarantor shall pay the full amount.

     Article 51 If there are two or more guarantors, the guarantors shall undertake a joint and several liability.

     Article 52 After the draft debt is cleared, the guarantor may exercise the right of recourse of the holder against the guaranteed and the prior holder.

Section 5 Payment

     Article 53 A holder of a draft shall make presentation for payment according to the following time limits:

     1. Presentation for payment shall be made to the payer within one month starting from the date of draft for a draft payable at sight;

     2. Presentation for payment shall be made to the acceptor within 10 days starting from the due date for a draft payable on a fixed date or on a fixed date after the date of draft or on a fixed date after sight.

     When the holder has failed to make presentation for payment within the time limited prescribed in the preceding paragraph and some explanations are made, the acceptor or payer shall continue to undertake the liability of payment to the holder.

     If the presentation for payment is made through banks entrusted with collection or through negotiable instruments exchange system, it shall be regarded as presentation for payment made by the holder.

     Article 54 If a holder presents for payment according to the provisions of the preceding article, the payer shall pay in the full amount of the draft on the same day.

     Article 55 If a holder has got the payment, the holder shall sign the draft and hand the draft to the payer. If a holder has entrusted a bank for the collection, the bank entrusted shall enter into the account of the holder the amount of the draft collected and that shall be regarded as signed and accepted.

     Article 56 The liabilities of a bank entrusted with collection by the holder are confined to transferring of the amount of the draft into the account of the holder according to the recordings on the draft.

     Article 57 In making out payments, the payer or its entrusted payer shall examine the consistency of the endorsement and check the legal identification or valid documents of the person who makes presentation for payment.

     If a payer or its entrusted payer makes the payment out of malicious motives or out of major blunder, the payer or its entrusted payer shall bear the liabilities on their own.

     Article 58 If a payer makes the payment before the due date for draft payable on a fixed date or on a fixed date after the date of draft or on a fixed date after sight, the payer shall bear the responsibilities arising there from on his own.

     Article 59 If the draft amount is specified in foreign currency, the payment shall be made in Renminbi according to the market exchange rate quoted on the day of payment.

     If the parties to a draft have agreements concerning the currencies for payment, the provisions of the agreement shall apply.

     Article 60 After the payer has paid the draft amount in full, the liabilities of all debts shall be relieved.

Section 6 Right of Recourse

     Article 61 Upon a refusal of payment to a draft, the holder may exercise the right of recourse against the endorser, drawer or other debtors of the draft.

     The holder may also exercise the right of recourse before the due day of a draft in one of the following cases:

     1. The acceptance of a draft is refused;

     2. The acceptor or payer has died or fled, or is living in hiding;

     3. The acceptor or payer has been declared bankrupt according to law or whose business operations have been suspended due to violations of the law.

      Article 62 In exercising the right of recourse, the holder shall provide the certificates relating to the refusal of acceptance or dishonor.

     In refusing the presentation for acceptance or for payment by the holder, the acceptor or payer shall produce certificates of dishonor or the statement on the ground for protest. If the acceptor or payer has failed to produce the certificate of dishonor or the statement on the ground for protest, the acceptor or payer shall bear all the civil responsibilities arising therefrom.

   ;  Article 63 If no certificate of dishonor can be obtained due to the death, flee or hiding of the acceptor or payer or other reasons, other related certificates may be obtained according to law.

     Article 64 If an acceptor or a payer has been declared bankrupt by the people's court according to law, the related judicial documents of the people's court have the effect of certifying the dishonor.

     If an acceptor or a payer whose business operations have been suspended due to law violations, the related decisions on punishment by related administrative department in charge have the effect of certifying the dishonor.

     Article 65 If a holder is unable to present certificates of dishonor, the statement on the ground for protest or provide other legal certificates within the prescribed time limit, the holder shall lose the right of recourse against the prior holder. But the acceptor or payer shall continue to undertake the liabilities to the holder.

     Article 66 A holder shall, within three days starting from the date of receiving the certificates relating to refusal of acceptance or dishonor, notify in writing the prior holder of the dishonor. The prior holder shall, within three days of receiving the notice, notify in writing the still preceding prior holder of the dishonor.

     The holder may also issue written notices to all the debtors of the draft all the same time. The holder may continue to exercise the right of recourse even if notification is not made within the time limit prescribed in the preceding paragraph.

     If the holder has delayed the notification to the prior holder or drawer and caused losses thereby, the parties that have failed to make the notification within the prescribed time limit shall be liable to compensate for the losses, with the amount of compensation being the draft amount. If the notice has been sent out according to the legal address or the addresses agreed upon within the prescribed time limit, the notification is regarded as having been issued.

     Article 67 The written notice served according to the provisions of the first paragraph of the preceding article shall contain the main recordings of the draft and clearly indicates that the draft has been dishonored.

  ; ;  Article 68 The drawer, endorser, acceptor and guarantor shall bear a joint and several liability with regard to the holder.

     A holder may exercise the right of recourse against one person or several persons or all the draft debtors in disregard of the sequential order of the debtors.

     After a holder has exercised the right of recourse against one person or several persons involving in the draft, the holder may also exercise the right of recourse over others involved in the draft. The person against whom the right of recourse has been exercised will enjoy the same right as the holder after the debt has been cleared.

     Article 69 In the case in which the holder is the drawer, the holder has no right of recourse to the prior holder. In the case in which the holder is the endorser, the holder has no right of recourse against the subsequent holders.

     Article 70 In exercising the right of recourse, the holder may request the person subject to recourse to pay the following money and expenses:

     1. The amount of the draft dishonored;

     2. The interests calculated according to the rate fixed by the People's Bank of China on the draft amount from the due date or the date of presentation for payment to the date of liquidation.

     3. The expenses incurred in obtaining the related certificates of dishonor and the issuing of notification.

     When the person subject to recourse is clearing his debt, the holder shall deliver the draft and related certificates of dishonor and produce the receipts for the interests and expenses received.

     Article 71 After debt clearance according to the provisions of the preceding article, the person against whom the right of recourse has been exercised may exercise the right of re-recourse against other draft debtors and request other debtors to pay the following amount and expenses:

     1. The complete amount cleared;

     2. The interests on the amount cleared, calculated according to the rate fixed by the People's Bank of China from the date of liquidation to the date of liquidation for re-recourse.

     3. Expenses on issuing notifications.

     When the person who exercises the right of re-recourse is getting paid, that person shall deliver the draft and related certificates of dishonor and produce the receipts for the interests and expenses received.

     Article 72 The liabilities of the person against whom the right of recourse shall be relieved after the debt has been liquidated according to the provisions of the preceding two articles.

 Chapter III Promissory Notes

     Article 73 A promissory note is an instrument written and issued by a drawer, promising to pay unconditionally a fixed amount of money to a payee or holder at the sight of the instrument.

     The term "promissory note" used in this law refers to the bank note.

     Article 74 The drawer of a promissory note shall have a reliable source of funds for paying the amount of the promissory note and ensure payment.

     Article 75 A promissory note shall record the following items:

     1. The characters indicating "Promissory Note",

     2. Unconditional promise to pay;

     3. Amount of money fixed;

     4. Name of the payee;

     5. Date of issue;

     6. Signature of the drawer.

     A promissory note is invalid if one of the above items is missing.

     Article 76 The place of payment, the place of issue and other items recorded on the promissory note shall be clear and definite.

     If the instrument does not bear the place of payment, the business site of the issuer shall be taken as the place of payment.

     If the instrument does not bear the place of issue, the business site of the issuer shall be taken as the place of issue.

     Article 77 When the holder of a promissory note presents the instrument, the drawer shall be liable to pay.

     Article 78 The maximum time limit of payment shall not exceed two months starting from the date of draft.

     Article 79 If a holder has failed to present the instrument according to the prescribed time limit, the holder shall lose the right of recourse against the prior holders other than the drawer.

      Article 80 The provisions on related draft in Chapter Two of this law shall apply with regard to the acts of endorsement, guaranty and payment and the exercise of the right of recourse, except otherwise provided for in this chapter.     

     The provisions on related draft in Article 24 of this law shall apply with regard to the act of draft, except otherwise provided for in this chapter.

Chapter IV Checks

     Article 81 A check is an instrument issued by a drawer, at the sight of which the check deposit bank or other financial institutions unconditionally pay the fixed amount to the payee or holder.

      Article 82 In opening a check deposit account, an applicant shall use the true name and present the legal document that certifies his/her identification.

     In opening a check deposit account and using checks, there must be a reliable creditability and a certain amount of money deposited in the bank.

     In opening a check deposit account, an applicant shall leave samples of the signature or seal in the true name of the applicant.

     Article 83 A check can be cashed or transferred into other accounts. For account transfer, a clear indication shall be made across the face of the check.

     If checks are used especially for cashing, cash checks can be made separately. A cash check can only be used for cashing.

     If checks are used especially for account transfer, transfer check can be made separately. Transfer checks can only be used in account transfer. Cashing is not allowed.

     Article 84 A check must record the following items:

     1. Characters denoting "Check",

     2. Commission to pay unconditionally;

     3. Amount fixed;

     4. Name of the payee;

     5. Date of draft;

     6. Signature of the drawer.

     A check shall be invalid if one of the above items is missing.

      Article 85 The amount on a check may be filled in afterwards by the holder with the authorization of the drawer. The check with the amount not filled in shall not be used.

      Article 86 If a check does not bear the name of the payee, it may be recorded afterwards with the authorization of the drawer.

     If a check does not bear the place of payment, the business site of the payer shall be taken as the place of payment;

     If a check does not bear the place of issue, the business site, residence of the drawer or the place where the drawer often lives shall be taken as the place of issue.

     A drawer can record himself as the payee on a check.

     Article 87 The amount of the check issued by the drawer shall not exceed the actual amount deposited by the payer at the time of payment.

      If the amount of the check issued by the drawer has exceeded the actual amount deposited by the payer at the time of payment, the check is a dishonorable check, which is strictly forbidden.

     Article 88 The drawer shall not issue checks with the signature or seal that does not tally that submitted for counter-checking.

     Article 89 A drawer shall undertake the liabilities to ensure the payment to the holder according to the amount of the check issued. If the deposit of the drawer at the place of payee is enough to pay the full amount of the check, the payer shall pay the full amount on the day.

     Article 90 A check is payable at sight and not date of payment shall be recorded. The record on the date of payment is invalid.

     Article 91 The holder of a check shall make presentation for payment within ten days starting from the date of draft. The time limit on the presentation for payment shall be provided for by the People's Bank of China.

     In the case when the time limit on the presentation for payment expires, the payer may refuse to pay. In the case when the payer refuses to pay, the drawer shall still bear the responsibility on the instrument to the holder.

     Article 92 If a payer has paid the amount of a check, the payer shall no longer bear the liability for payment to the drawer and shall not bear the liability for payment to the holder, except the cases when payment is made out of ulterior motives or due to major blunder.

     Article 93 The provisions on related draft in Chapter Two of this law shall apply with regard to the acts of endorsement and payment and the exercise of the right of recourse with regard to a check, except otherwise provided for in this chapter.

     The provisions on related draft in Article 24 of this law shall apply with regard to the act of draft except otherwise provided for in this chapter.

Chapter V Application of Law on Foreign-related Negotiable Instruments

  ;   Article 94 The application of law concerning foreign-related negotiable instruments shall follow the provisions of this chapter.

     The term "foreign-related negotiable instruments" used in the preceding paragraph refers to instruments whose draft, endorsement, acceptance, guaranty or payment occur both within and outside the territory of the People's Republic of China.

     Article 95 In the case when the provisions of the international treaties to which the People's Republic of China is a signatory party or in which the People's Republic of China has joined differ from the provisions of this law, the provisions of the international treaties apply, except those articles on which the People's Republic of China has declared to have reservations.

     For cases where there are no provisions in this law or in the international treaties to which the People's Republic of China is a signatory party or in which the People's Republic of China has joined, the common international practice shall apply.

     Article 96 For the capability of civil acts of debtors of negotiable instruments, the domestic law shall apply. In the case when a debtor is regarded as being incapable of civil act by the domestic law or whose civil act is restricted but the debtor is regarded as having the capability of civil act by the law of the place of act, the law of the place of act shall apply.

     Article 97 For recordings on the draft and promissory notes when drafting, the law of the place of draft shall apply.

     For the recordings on the checks, the law of the place of issue shall apply. But the law of the place of payment may also apply if the parties concerned so agree.

     Article 98 For acts of endorsement, acceptance, payment and guaranty for negotiable instruments, the law of the place of act shall apply.

     Article 99 For the time limit for exercising the right of recourse concerning negotiable instruments, the law of the place of draft shall apply.

     Article 100 For the time limit for presentation of negotiable instruments, the method of certificates of dishonor and the time limit for producing certificates of dishonor, the law of the place of payment shall apply.

     Article 101 For the procedures for applying for protection of negotiable instruments by a holder who has lost negotiable instruments, the law of the place of payment shall apply.

Chapter VI Legal Responsibilities

     Article 102 Criminal responsibilities shall be affixed on one of the following acts of deception:

     1. The act of forging or altering a negotiable instrument;

     2. The act of deliberately using forged or altered negotiable instruments;

     3. The act of issuing dishonorable checks or deliberately issue checks whose signature or seal does not tally with the signature or seal in the true name pre-submitted for counter-checking.

     4. The act of issuing drafts or promissory notes without reliable sources of funds in order to obtain money by deception.

     5. The act by the drawer of drafts or promissory notes to make false recordings at the time of draft in order to obtain property or money by deception.

     6. The act of using negotiable instruments of others or deliberately use negotiable instruments overdue or voided in order to obtain property and money by deception; and

     7. A payer has committed one of the aforesaid acts in vicious collaboration with the drawer or holder.

     Article 103 Administrative punishments shall be meted out according to the relevant State provisions on one of the aforesaid acts if the case is not serious enough to constitute a crime.

     Article 104 A staff member of financial institutions shall be punished for accepting, paying or providing guarantee for negotiable instruments in violation of the provisions of this law due to dereliction of duty in his operations. If serious losses incur and the case is serious enough to constitute a crime, criminal responsibilities shall be affixed. In cases when losses have been incurred on the parties to negotiable instruments due to the aforesaid acts by staff members of financial institutions, the financial institutions and persons directly responsible shall undertake the liabilities of compensation according to law.

     Article 105 In cases when the payer deliberately detain negotiable instruments payable at sight or negotiable instruments due in order to delay payment, the payer shall be fined and the person or persons directly responsible shall be punished by the financial administrative departments.

     If losses incur to the holder or holders due to deliberate detainment of instruments and delay of payment on the part of the payer, the payer shall undertake the liabilities of compensation.

     Article 106 For acts other than those for which the liabilities of compensation shall be undertaken according to the provisions of this law that have caused losses to others, the person who has committed the acts shall undertake the civil responsibilities according to law.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions

     Article 107 For the calculation of various time limits provided for by this law, the provisions on the time of calculation of the Civil Procedures Law shall apply.

     For time limit calculated monthly, the calculation shall be made according to the corresponding date of the month due; in the absence of corresponding date, the last day of the month shall be taken as the due date.

     Article 108 The forms of draft, promissory note and check shall be unified.

     The forms of the negotiable instruments and the method for the control of printing shall be provided for by the People's Bank of China.

     Article 109 The specific methods of the administration of negotiable instruments shall be formulated by the People's Bank of China in accordance with this law and submitted to the State Council for approval.

     Article 110 The law shall be implemented as of January 1st, 1996.