第二章 合同的订立
Chapter Ⅱ Making of the Contract
第九条 当事人订立合同，应当具有相应的民事权利能力和民事行为能力。
当事人依法可以委托代理人订立合同。
Article 9 The parties shall, when making a contract, have corresponding capacity for civil rights and civil conduct.
A party may, in accordance with the law, entrust an agent to make a contract.
第十条 当事人订立合同，有书面形式、口头形式和其他形式。
法律、行政法规规定采用书面形式的，应当采用书面形式。当事人约定采用书面形式的，应当采用书面形式。
Article 10 The parties may, when making a contract, use written form, verbal form or any other form.
The written form shall be adopted if laws or administrative regulations so require. The written form shall be adopted if the parties so agree.
第十一条 书面形式是指合同书、信件和数据电文（包括电报、电传、传真、电子数据交换和电子邮件）等可以有形地表现所载内容的形式。
Article 11“Written form”as used herein means any form which renders the information contained in a contract capable of being reproduced in tangible form such as a written agreement, a letter, or electronic text (including telegram, telex, facsimile, electronic data interchange and e-mail).
第十二条 合同的内容由当事人约定，一般包括以下条款：
（一）当事人的名称或者姓名和住所；
（二）标的；
（三）数量；
（四）质量；
（五）价款或者报酬；
（六）履行期限、地点和方式；
（七）违约责任；
（八）解决争议的方法。
当事人可以参照各类合同的示范文本订立合同。
Article 12 The content of a contract is determined by the parties and generally includes the following clauses:
（1）designations or names and addresses of the parties;
（2）the targeted matter;
（3）quantity;
（4）quality;
（5）price or remuneration;
（6）time, place and mode of fulfillment;
（7）liability for breach of contract; and
（8）dispute settlement.
The parties may make contracts with reference to various model contract forms.
第十三条 当事人订立合同，采取要约、承诺方式。
Article 13 The parties shall, in making a contract, take the form of offer and acceptance.
第十四条 要约是希望和他人订立合同的意思表示，该意思表示应当符合下列规定：
（一）内容具体确定；
（二）表明经受要约人承诺，要约人即受该意思表示约束。
Article 14 An“offer”is an intent indication showing the desire to enter into a contract with others, and the intent indication shall conform to the following provisions:
（1）the content indicated shall be concrete and definite; and
（2）the offeror shall, as is indicated, be bound by the intent indication upon its acceptance by an offeree.
第十五条 要约邀请是希望他人向自己发出要约的意思表示。寄送的价目表、拍卖公告、招标公告、招股说明书、商业广告等为要约邀请。
商业广告的内容符合要约规定的，视为要约。
Article 15 An invitation for offer is an intent indication showing the desire to receive offers from others. Mailed or delivered price catalogs, auction announcements, invitations for bid, capital-raising prospectus and commercial advertisements are such invitations for offer.
A commercial advertisement shall, if its content conforms to the provisions regarding offers, be deemed as an offer.
第十六条 要约到达受要约人时生效。
采用数据电文形式订立合同，收件人指定特定系统接收数据电文的，该数据电文进入该特定系统的时间，视为到达时间；未指定特定系统的，该数据电文进入收件人的任何系统的首次时间，视为到达时间。
Article 16 An offer becomes effective when it reaches the offeree.
If a contract is made in the form of text in electronic data and the receiver has designated a special receiving system to receive such data text, the time at which the text in electronic data enters the designated special system shall be the time of arrival; if no special receiving system is designated, the time at which the text in electronic data first enters any of the receiver's systems shall be the time of arrival.
第十七条 要约可以撤回。撤回要约的通知应当在要约到达受要约人之前或者与要约同时到达受要约人。
Article 17 An offer may be withdrawn. The withdrawal notice of an offer shall reach the offeree before or at the same time as the arrival of the offer at the offeree.
第十八条 要约可以撤销。撤销要约的通知应当在受要约人发出承诺通知之前到达受要约人。
Article 18 An offer may be revoked. The revocation notice of an offer shall reach the offeree before the dispatch of an acceptance notice by the offeree.第十九条 有下列情形之一的，要约不得撤销：
（一）要约人确定了承诺期限或者以其他形式明示要约不可撤销；
（二）受要约人有理由认为要约是不可撤销的，并已经为履行合同作了准备工作。
Article 19 An offer may not be revoked under any of the following conditions:
（1）the offeror has specified a time limit for the acceptance, or has explicitly indicated in any other manner the irrevocability of the offer;
（2）there are grounds for the offeree to maintain the irrevocability of the offer and the offeree has made preparations for the fulfillment of the contract.
第二十条 有下列情形之一的，要约失效：
（一）拒绝要约的通知到达要约人；
（二）要约人依法撤销要约；
（三）承诺期限届满，受要约人未作出承诺；
（四）受要约人对要约的内容作出实质性变更。
Article 20 An offer loses its effect under any of the following conditions:
（1）a rejection notice of the offer has reached the offeror;
（2）the offeror has revoked the offer pursuant to law;
（3）when the fixed time limit for acceptance expires, the offeree undertakes no acceptance; or
（4）the offeree makes a substantial change of the content of the offer.
第二十一条 承诺是受要约人同意要约的意思表示。
Article 21 An acceptance is an assent indication of the offeree to an offer.
第二十二条 承诺应当以通知的方式作出，但根据交易习惯或者要约表明可以通过行为作出承诺的除外。
Article 22 An acceptance shall be made in form of a notice, unless, in light of trade practices or as indicated by the offer, the offeree may indicate the assent by performing an act.
第二十三条 承诺应当在要约确定的期限内到达要约人。
要约没有确定承诺期限的，承诺应当依照下列规定到达：
（一）要约以对话方式作出的，应当即时作出承诺，但当事人另有约定的除外；
（二）要约以非对话方式作出的，承诺应当在合理期限内到达。
Article 23 An acceptance shall reach the offeror within the time limit fixed by the offer.
If no time limit is fixed by the offer, the acceptance shall reach the offeror in accordance with the following provisions:
（1）if an offer is made orally, acceptance shall be made promptly unless the parties stipulate otherwise; and
（2）if an offer is not made orally, the acceptance shall reach the offeror within a reasonable period of time.
第二十四条 要约以信件或者电报作出的，承诺期限自信件载明的日期或者电报交发之日开始计算。信件未载明日期的，自投寄该信件的邮戳日期开始计算。要约以电话、传真等快速通讯方式作出的，承诺期限自要约到达受要约人时开始计算。
Article 24 If an offer is made through a letter or a telegram, the time limit for acceptance commences on the date shown on the letter or on the date the telegram is handed in for dispatch or, if no such date is shown on the letter, from the date shown by the postmark of the letter. If an offer is made by means of instantaneous communications such as telephone or facsimile, the time limit for acceptance commences at the moment that the offer reaches the offeree.
第二十五条 承诺生效时合同成立。
Article 25 A contract is executed at the time when the acceptance becomes effective.
第二十六条 承诺通知到达要约人时生效。承诺不需要通知的，根据交易习惯或者要约的要求作出承诺的行为时生效。
采用数据电文形式订立合同的，承诺到达的时间适用本法第十六条第二款的规定。
Article 26 The acceptance becomes effective when the acceptance notice reaches the offeror. If an acceptance needs no notice, it becomes effective when an act of acceptance is performed in light of trade practices or as indicated by the offer.
Where a contract is made in the form of text in electronic data, the provisions of Paragraph 2, Article 16 of this Law shall be applicable to the time of arrival of the acceptance.
第二十七条 承诺可以撤回。撤回承诺的通知应当在承诺通知到达要约人之前或者与承诺通知同时到达要约人。
Article 27 An acceptance may be withdrawn. The withdrawal notice of the acceptance shall reach the offeror before or at the same time as the acceptance notice reaches the offeror.
第二十八条 受要约人超过承诺期限发出承诺的，除要约人及时通知受要约人该承诺有效的以外，为新要约。
Article 28 If the offeree makes an acceptance beyond the time limit for acceptance, it shall constitute a new offer unless the offeror notifies the offeree in time that the acceptance is effective.
第二十九条 受要约人在承诺期限内发出承诺，按照通常情形能够及时到达要约人，但因其他原因承诺到达要约人时超过承诺期限的，除要约人及时通知受要约人因承诺超过期限不接受该承诺的以外，该承诺有效。
Article 29 If an offeree makes within the time limit for acceptance an acceptance that could reach the offeror in time under normal conditions but happens to reach the offeror beyond the limit due to other reasons, the acceptance shall be effective notwithstanding unless the offeror notifies the offeree in time that the acceptance is denied due to its delayed arrival.
第三十条 承诺的内容应当与要约的内容一致。受要约人对要约的内容作出实质性变更的，为新要约。有关合同标的、数量、质量、价款或者报酬、履行期限、履行地点和方式、违约责任和解决争议方法等的变更，是对要约内容的实质性变更。
Article 30 The content of an acceptance shall be consistent with the content of the offer. If the offeree proposes any substantial change to the content of the offer, it shall constitute a new offer. Changes related to the targeted matter, quantity, quality, price or remuneration, duration of fulfillment, place and mode of fulfillment, liability for breach of contract and method of dispute settlement in a contract are substantial changes to the content of an offer.
第三十一条 承诺对要约的内容作出非实质性变更的，除要约人及时表示反对或者要约表明承诺不得对要约的内容作出任何变更的以外，该承诺有效，合同的内容以承诺的内容为准。
Article 31 If an acceptance makes non-substantial changes to the content of the offer, the acceptance shall be effective notwithstanding and the content of the contract shall thus be based on the content of the acceptance, unless the offeror indicates in time its objection thereto, or as indicated in the offer, the acceptance may not make any change to the content of the offer.
第三十二条 当事人采用合同书形式订立合同的，自双方当事人签字或者盖章时合同成立。
Article 32 If the parties enter into a contract in the form of a contract instrument, the contract is executed at the time when both parties put their signatures or affix their seals thereto.
第三十三条 当事人采用信件、数据电文等形式订立合同的，可以在合同成立之前要求签订确认书。签订确认书时合同成立。
Article 33 If the parties enter into a contract in the form of letter or text in electronic data or any other forms, a confirmation instrument may be required prior to the execution of the contract. The contract is executed at the time when the confirmation instrument is signed.
第三十四条 承诺生效的地点为合同成立的地点。
采用数据电文形式订立合同的，收件人的主营业地为合同成立的地点；没有主营业地的，其经常居住地为合同成立的地点。当事人另有约定的，按照其约定。
Article 34 The place where the acceptance becomes effective shall be the place where the contract is executed.
Where a contract is made in the form of text in electronic data, the receiver's major place of business is the place of execution of the contract; in the absence of a major place of business, the receiver's habitual residence is the place of execution of the contract. Where the parties stipulate otherwise, such stipulations shall govern.
第三十五条 当事人采用合同书形式订立合同的，双方当事人签字或者盖章的地点为合同成立的地点。
Article 35 If the parties adopt the form of a contract instrument to make a contract, the place where both parties sign or stamp the contract is the place of execution of the contract.
第三十六条 法律、行政法规规定或者当事人约定采用书面形式订立合同，当事人未采用书面形式但一方已经履行主要义务，对方接受的，该合同成立。
Article 36 Where the parties fail to make a contract in written form as provided for by laws or administrative regulations or as agreed by the parties, but a party has already performed the major obligations and the other party has accepted the performance, the contract shall be considered as executed.
第三十七条 采用合同书形式订立合同，在签字或者盖章之前，当事人一方已经履行主要义务，对方接受的，该合同成立。
Article 37 If, in making a contract in the form of a contract instrument, a party has already performed the major obligations pending the signature or seal and the other party has accepted the performance, the contract shall be considered as executed.
第三十八条 国家根据需要下达指令性任务或者国家订货任务的，有关法人、其他组织之间应当依照有关法律、行政法规规定的权利和义务订立合同。
Article 38 If the State gives, according to the needs, mandatory assignments or State purchase orders, the legal persons and other organizations concerned shall conclude contracts in accordance with the rights and obligations provided for by the relevant laws and administrative regulations.
第三十九条 采用格式条款订立合同的，提供格式条款的一方应当遵循公平原则确定当事人之间的权利和义务，并采取合理的方式提请对方注意免除或者限制其责任的条款，按照对方的要求，对该条款予以说明。
格式条款是当事人为了重复使用而预先拟定，并在订立合同时未与对方协商的条款。
Article 39 If standard clauses are used in making a contract, the party that provides the standard clauses shall determine the rights and obligations between the parties in accordance with the principle of fairness, and shall call in a reasonable manner the other party's attention to the exemptible and restrictive clauses regarding its liability, and give explanations of such clauses at the request of the other party.
“Standard clauses”means the clauses that are formulated in anticipation by a party for the purpose of repeated usage and that are not a result of consultation with the other party in the making of the contract.
第四十条 格式条款具有本法第五十二条和第五十三条规定情形的，或者提供格式条款一方免除其责任、加重对方责任、排除对方主要权利的，该条款无效。
Article 40 Standard clauses shall become invalid if they fall under any of the circumstances set forth in Articles 52 and 53 of this Law or if the party that provides the standard clauses exempts itself from the liability, imposes heavier liability on the other party, or precludes the other party from its main rights.
第四十一条 对格式条款的理解发生争议的，应当按照通常理解予以解释。对格式条款有两种以上解释的，应当作出不利于提供格式条款一方的解释。格式条款和非格式条款不一致的，应当采用非格式条款。
Article 41 If a dispute arises over the understanding of a standard clause, the clause shall be interpreted in accordance with its common understanding. If a standard clause has more than one interpretation, the clause shall be interpreted in a manner unfavorable to the party providing the clause. If a standard clause is inconsistent with the non-standard clause, the non-standard clause shall be adopted.
第四十二条 当事人在订立合同过程中有下列情形之一，给对方造成损失的，应当承担损害赔偿责任：
（一）假借订立合同，恶意进行磋商；
（二）故意隐瞒与订立合同有关的重要事实或者提供虚假情况；
（三）有其他违背诚实信用原则的行为。
Article 42 In the making of a contract, the party that falls under any of the following circumstances, causing thus loss to the other party, shall hold the liability for the loss:
（1）engaging in consultation with malicious intention in name of making a contract;
（2）concealing intentionally key facts related to the making of the contract or providing false information; or
（3）taking any other act contrary to the principle of good faith.
第四十三条 当事人在订立合同过程中知悉的商业秘密，无论合同是否成立，不得泄露或者不正当地使用。泄露或者不正当地使用该商业秘密给对方造成损失的，应当承担损害赔偿责任。
Article 43 Neither party may disclose or inapp-ropriately exploit business secrets obtained in the making of a contract no matter the contract is executed or not. The party that discloses or inappropriately exploits the said business secrets causing thus loss to the other party shall hold the liability for the loss.