CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL CONCERNING THEDECISION THAT STREETS AND BUILDINGS IN CHINA'S CITIES WHICH HAVE ESTAB-LISHEDA FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP AS SISTER CITIES WITH CITIES OF FOREIGNCOUNTRIES SHALL NOT BE NAME

CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL CONCERNING THEDECISION THAT STREETS AND BUILDINGS IN CHINA'S CITIES WHICH HAVE ESTAB-LISHEDA FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP AS SISTER CITIES WITH CITIES OF FOREIGNCOUNTRIES SHALL NOT BE NAME D AFTER THE PLACE NAMES OR PERSONAL NAMES OFTHESE FOREIG This English document is coming from "LAWS AND REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA GOVERNING FOREIGN-RELATED MATTERS" (1991.7) which is compiled by the Brueau of Legislative Affairs of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, and is published by the China Legal System Publishing House.

In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.

Whole Document CIRCULAR OF THE GENERAL OFFICE OF THE STATE COUNCIL CONCERNING THE DECISION THAT STREETS AND BUILDINGS IN CHINA'S CITIES WHICH HAVE ESTAB- LISHED A FRIENDLY RELATIONSHIP AS SISTER CITIES WITH CITIES OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES SHALL NOT BE NAMED AFTER THE PLACE NAMES OR PERSONAL NAMES OF THESE FOREIGN COUNTRIES (May 13, 1987) In recent years, in our contacts with foreign friendly cities, a few cities have signed a "Memorandum" or "Minutes of Talks" with foreign friendly cities, and these documents contain such contents as each party using the city names of the other party to name its own city's streets.

Such practice is considered to be improper. Up to the present, our country has established, with foreign countries, more than 240 pairs of sister cities (states, or counties); and some of our cities have maintained friendly relationship simultaneously with several foreign cities. In the days to come, if other countries would raise the same proposal, or some of our cities would like to follow suit, using the city names of the other party to name their own city's streets, this practice will surely cause confusion. Besides, the existing names of streets in China have been in use for many years, and the broad masses of people are familiar with these names. It is not easy for them to get used to foreign names. What is more, some foreign place names and personal names are long with many syllables and would cause inconvenience in use. To remedy this situation, the following provisions are hereby formulated: (1) In our endeavor to promote friendship among cities, emphasis should be laid on practical results, and no streets or buildings of China shall be named after the place names or personal names of the other party. If the other party raises the proposal, we can politely decline it by giving the reason that such practice does not exist in China.

(2) In a few special cases where, for the sake of commemoration, it is necessary to use the place names or personal names of the other party to name our country's streets or buildings, the case shall be reported, in advance, to the State Council for examination and approval; and, without approval, it is not permitted to make any promise to the other partner-city.

t is more, some foreign place names and personal names are long with many syllables and would cause inconvenience in use. To remedy this situation, the following provisions are hereby formulated: (1) In our endeavor to promote friendship among cities, emphasis should be laid on practical results, and no streets or buildings of China shall be named after the place names or personal names of the other party. If the other party raises the proposal, we can politely decline it by giving the reason that such practice does not exist in China.

(2) In a few special cases where, for the sake of commemoration, it is necessary to use the place names or personal names of the other party to name our country's streets or buildings, the case shall be reported, in advance, to the State Council for examination and approval; and, without approval, it is not permitted to make any promise to the other partner-city.