(ECNS) -- Company names should not contain the words "China," "Chinese" or "Central" unless approved by the State Council, according to a proposed rule publicized Friday by the State Administration for Industry and Commerce to invite public feedback.
Companies would also be forbidden to have names that include the words "National," "State" or "International."
Nor should company names contain the names of administrative divisions, industries or jargon indicating the characteristics of business operations, professions, job titles, academic degrees, military or police ranks, or their abbreviations, unless they have "other connotations" or do not mislead the public. But the rule does not specify what "other connotations" it referred to.
Company names are also forbidden from containing words contradictory to company goals or indicating that the company offers services beyond its allowed operational scope, unless laws and regulations have otherwise stipulated.
The new rule bans companies from applying for names similar to already registered names with malicious intent. Companies are forbidden from using other people's names, initials or special titles as part of company names, unless there are investment relations or authorization. Company names must not contain the names of other companies, legal persons or non-legal person organizations, unless there are investment relations or authorization.
