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California

Located in the western United States, the most economically developed and populous state in the United States. It borders Mexico to the south and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Don't call it golden state. The area is 4 1. 1 10,000 square kilometers. The population is 29.839 million (1990), and the urban population accounts for 9 1.3%, mainly concentrated in the Pacific coast, and 50% of them live in Los Angeles and San Francisco. There are more than 50% Chinese and mexican american (Chicano people) in China. Chinatown in San Francisco is the most densely populated area for Chinese. Sacramento, the capital.

The coastline is 2030 kilometers long and relatively straight. It consists of the eastern Sierra Nevada, the central valley and the western coastal mountains. Geographical conditions vary greatly. There is little rain in the desert in the south, and floods occur in the coastal areas in the north due to rain and snow in winter. The precipitation in the northwest is as high as 4420 mm, and the Colorado desert in the southeast is only 50 ~ 75 mm. At a distance of less than 140 km, there are Mount Whitney and Death Valley with an altitude of 44 18 m, which are the highest and lowest points in the United States respectively. In summer, the temperature in the southeastern Colorado desert is as high as 54℃, and the Sierra Nevada is as cold as the North Pole in winter.

It was originally a settlement of Indians. 1769 was once a Spanish colony. 1822 belongs to Mexico. 1848 belongs to the United States. In the same year, gold mines were discovered, and the gold rush that lasted for 7 years made the population increase sharply and the city developed rapidly. 1850 joined the Federation and became the third1th state in the United States. 1869 The transcontinental railway was opened to traffic, connecting our state with other states. /kloc-at the end of 0/9, the discovery and exploitation of oil in Los Angeles made the industry develop rapidly. After World War II, emerging industries rose, agriculture developed due to the completion of the South-to-North Water Transfer Project, and its economic strength and population jumped to the forefront.

The state with the most developed agriculture. Agricultural land accounts for 30% of the state. Mainly used for irrigation agriculture. There are hundreds of kinds of agricultural products. The output of sugarcane, vegetables and fruits occupies a prominent position in the country, and the output of cotton is the second; Rice yield is second; It is an important milk, egg and meat producing area in China; The central valley is the richest agricultural belt. Forestry is developed, and it is one of the three major timber producing countries in China. The fishery output value ranks first in China, and San Francisco, San Diego and San Pedro are important fishing ports.

The manufacturing industry is developed, the departments are complete, the products are diverse, and the output value and employment number rank first in the country. There are mainly emerging sectors such as aerospace and electronics, as well as oil refining, petrochemical, arms, food processing, paper making and printing. Exploitation of oil and natural gas accounts for 2/3 of the total output value. Los Angeles is the largest manufacturing center in the west, mainly in aerospace and oil exploration; The output value accounts for about 50% of the state; San Francisco and San Diego are also important manufacturing centers. Santa Clara Valley in Silicon Valley is famous for its developed electronics industry, and the Central Valley is the center of food processing industry. Expressway has a dense network, ranking second in the country in length. It is the western end of three transcontinental railway lines. The Sacramento River Delta has a dense river network and developed water transportation. Los Angeles and San Francisco are important international airports.

Tourism is booming. Charming beaches, pleasant climate, excellent facilities and convenient transportation make tourists gather. There are many art galleries, internationally renowned San Francisco Opera House, Los Angeles Symphony Orchestra, Hollywood, University of California and other cultural and educational institutions.

California-California

I. Natural and human environment

(1) climate and area

California is located on the west coast of the United States, bordering the Pacific Ocean in the west, Oregon in the north, Nevada and Arizona in the east, and Mexico in the south, with an area of * * * 158693 square miles and a latitude of 32 to 42 degrees north. The climate is mild throughout the year, with rainy season from 10 to April and dry season from May to September. However, the annual rainfall in Northern California and Southern California is quite different. The annual rainfall in the northern coastal areas is 80 inches, while that in the southern areas such as Los Angeles is only about 15 inches, and the annual rainfall in the eastern desert areas is even rarer.

(2) Capital and population

The capital of California is Sacramento, located 87 miles northeast of San Francisco, California. The total population of California is about 32.6 million, accounting for 12.2% of the total population of the United States, of which Hispanic population accounts for 28.4%, Asian population accounts for 10.4%, black population accounts for 7%, Indian population accounts for 0.6% and white population accounts for 53.6%. During the period from 1985 to 1995, there were 3.5 million immigrants in California, mainly from Latin America and Asia (Mexico and the Philippines accounted for the top two, accounting for more than one third of the total), and other major immigrants came from Viet Nam, China, Iran and South Korea.

(3) Political system

The California Constitution was passed in 1979, and the governor is the highest executive head of the state, who comprehensively manages the affairs of the state. The Governor is elected by the people for a term of four years, with no term limit. The state legislature adopts a bicameral system, with 40 senators serving for four years; The House of Representatives consists of 80 members with a two-year term. Citizens of this state have the right to make laws, and they can also decide the laws passed by the state legislature. The whole state is divided into 58 counties, most of which are managed by a five-member county supervisory committee.

(4) Natural resources

California is rich in natural resources such as agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry and minerals, and is rich in minerals such as oil, cement, natural gas and asbestos. Agricultural products include cotton, barley, wheat, corn, fruits and dried fruits. It is rich in grapes and is the most important wine producing area in the United States. California is also one of the major producing areas of wood, pulp and paper in the United States.

Second, the economic situation.

Important economic indicators

1: 1999' s per capita income is $298 193, which is higher than the per capita income of $285 18 in the United States, ranking 14 among American states.

Statewide GDP: 65,438+0,999 is 988,339 US dollars (mil), ranking first among all states in the United States.

According to the statistics of Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation, California's GDP accounts for 12.7% of the national GDP. If California is regarded as an economy, it can rank seventh in the world (after the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Britain and Italy).

Three. Policies and measures of investment management

(a) the establishment of the company

1 A foreign or out-of-state company must first register its agent and business address in the office of the California Secretary of State. In addition, foreign companies must produce a "good reputation certificate" issued by their own government agencies. The secretary of state's office usually approves it within two or three weeks. The application fee is $350, and the minimum royalty is $800.

The California Employment Development Department is responsible for providing employment-related information to help employers recruit qualified employees. According to California income tax law and unemployment insurance regulations, every company must be registered with the Employment Development Bureau.

The procedure for opening an office in California is as follows:

(1) Apply to the Office of the Secretary of State for the establishment of:

Companies established in accordance with the laws and regulations of other states or countries must apply to the Secretary of State for the declaration and designation of foreign companies, and confirm the company's representative and main office in California.

A foreign company must show its good reputation to show that it has performed well in that country. The certificate must be obtained from the relevant units in the host country and expressed in English. After receiving the declaration and designation form from foreign companies, it takes about six to eight weeks for the Office of the Secretary of State to issue the qualification certificate.

Foreign companies are required to submit a foreign company statement every year and pay an application fee of $350 and a preferential tax of at least $800 to the office of the Secretary of State. Approved foreign companies are required to file tax returns every year. Because California's tax laws are complex and strictly enforced, they should seek detailed and clear assistance when preparing tax returns. All inquiries and requests can be made in the following ways:

Secretary of State, Company Filing Department

J Street 1230, Sacramento, California, 958 14.

Tel: (9 16) 445-0620

4 Name of applicant company:

(1) Before the company is established, you should ask the office of the Secretary of State to confirm the feasibility of the name. If the name is duplicated with other registered names, it should be registered as a hypothetical enterprise name. Assuming that the fictitious enterprise name statement must be handed over to the clerk of the county where the registered applicant's main business is located, the registered applicant must publish the statement in the newspaper circulating in the county once a week for four consecutive weeks within 30 days and submit an affidavit of publication to the county clerk.

(2) For all inquiries and requirements, please contact the county office where the company is located. For general information, please contact:

County clerk's office, pseudonym registration

720 Ninth Avenue, Sacramento, California. 958 14

Tel: (9 16) 440-5522

(3) Filing of local licenses and permits:

You need a license to start business in individual areas of each county and city, and you also need a license to use the building. The business license fee varies from region to region, which may be a flat rate, or it may depend on the percentage of business value and various factors. In addition, the company must pay movable property tax and register with the county tax authorities.

(4) Application for trademark or service trademark:

The company shall apply to the office of the Secretary of State for the registration of its trademarks and service marks, and submit the registration of trademarks and service marks. The rules in this respect are very complicated and need special attention. All inquiries and requests can be made in the following ways:

Secretary of state,

Limited partnership division, trademarks and

Service registration

923 12 Street on the third floor

Sacramento, California 958 14

Tel: (9 16) 445-9872

(5) California sales and use tax declaration:

According to the transaction and use tax law, every sale of tangible movable property must apply to the California Equality Commission for a seller's license. If the ownership and location of movable property change, a new application must be made. To apply for a sales license, you must fill out an application form (applying for a sales license and registering as a retailer ---- rational), and attach the applicant's financial statement. After being examined and approved by the Equality Committee, a permit will be issued and posted in various commercial premises. All inquiries and requests can be made in the following ways:

California equality commission

Commercial tax department

North Street 1020

Sacramento, California 958 14

Tel: (9 16) 445-6464

5. Introduction of California Employment Development Agency

The California Employment Development Department is responsible for providing employment-related information to help employers find qualified employees. According to California income tax law and unemployment insurance regulations, every company must be registered with the Employment Development Bureau, which also provides a wide range of information about withholding tax, insurance, payment and so on. All inquiries and requests can be made in the following ways:

California department of employment development

Registration office

800 capital shopping centers

Sacramento, California 958 14

Tel: (9 16) 653-0707

6. Apply for a visa:

All foreign investors must apply to American embassies and consulates abroad for corresponding visas, which are divided into three types:

(1) Temporary business visitor (B- 1) This is the easiest visa to obtain and is suitable for business people who come to the United States for a short time. The validity period depends on the reciprocal relationship between the holder's country and the United States, but the stay time shall not exceed six months.

(2) visas for treaty traders and treaty investors (E- 1/E-2). The foreigner must be a national and employee of the signatory country of the treaty, and his position must also be management, administrative level or specific professional knowledge field.

(3) Transfer visa within the company (L- 1). This visa is issued to employees of multinational companies to temporarily enter the United States and continue to serve the same employer. 1990, the Immigration Ordinance stipulates that the Immigration and Naturalization Bureau can grant investors permanent residence status. However, the minimum investment is 100,000 USD, and at least10 American jobs will be provided in the new enterprise; In rural or economically underdeveloped areas, the minimum investment can reach 500,000 US dollars. In addition, investors must establish the sustainability of their investment within two years in order to maintain their permanent residency.

Four. taxation

California's tax system is managed and collected by different levels of state and county governments. The main taxes include:

(1) Personal income tax

The tax rate ranges from 1% to 9.3%.

(2) Enterprise income tax and business tax.

Business tax is 8.84% of taxable income every year, but the minimum tax is $800.

(3) Sales tax and use tax.

At present, the sales tax in California is 7.25%, but the actual tax is between 7.25% and 8.25% because the local government wants to levy sales tax. If the tangible liquid assets used by California enterprises are not subject to sales tax, they must pay use tax, such as assets or inventories purchased from other States.

Local property tax (local property tax)

According to different places, the average tax rate in Quanzhou is about 1. 1% of the published land price.

(5) Unemployment insurance tax.

The annual salary of each employee is 3.4% of $7,000.

(6) The rate of disability insurance (wage burden) is 0.8% of USD 365,438+USD 0,767.

Verb (abbreviation of verb) measures to encourage investment

(1) Investment deduction:

Companies investing in California enjoy 6% manufacturer's investment credit when purchasing or leasing manufacturing equipment; High-tech companies also enjoy the same treatment when setting up special buildings. What is not deducted in the current year can be deducted from the tax payable in the next eight years. In the first three years of operation, the new company can also choose to reduce the sales tax by 5% when purchasing manufacturing assets. Commercial aircraft parts and maintenance are not subject to sales tax.

(2) R&D credit:

R&D work must be carried out in California and does not include the design of commercial products. Manufacturers can enjoy the tax deduction of 1 1% for their own research and development, and 24% for the expenses entrusted to other companies for research and development.

(three) manufacturing property tax rebate (economic revaluation manufacturing property tax rebate)

When the company's capital assets are directly invested in manufacturing activities and meet the requirements of "creating 10 full-time manufacturing jobs with an hourly salary of more than 10", California property tax law allows local governments to refund the property tax on capital assets.

(d) Write off investment losses

The maximum investment loss of a new enterprise can be written off within eight years 100%. The investment loss of the original enterprise can be written off by up to 50% within five years.

(5) Enterprise Zone

Companies in the region can enjoy better tax relief, such as: tax relief can be as high as 20 million US dollars; A deduction of $23,400 is required for each employee employed; Investment losses can be written off within fifteen years at most; Enjoy preferential treatment when winning the state government contract.

(6) Deducting child care facilities

Employers can also enjoy a 30% deduction (up to $50,000 per year) for nursery facilities for employees.

(7) In order to encourage enterprises to invest in California, California passed a law 1997+00 in June. From the fiscal year of 1998/ 1999, high-tech companies with an investment of more than10.50 billion US dollars can negotiate with local governments to reduce or exempt the property tax of10.50 billion US dollars annually for a period of 15 years. After the relief period, the local government will levy a "community service fee" on the company, which is about 25% of the investment deduction, with a maximum of about 2 million US dollars per year. Companies applying for this incentive must meet the requirements stipulated by the standard industrial classification (sic).

(8) All counties and cities in California provide preferential loans for industrial development, and investors can get loans 30% to 40% lower than the basic interest rate for the renovation or expansion of factories.

(nine) financial subsidies for small enterprises:

California has a small business loan guarantee program. If a small business enterprise has been in business for three years, it can use the guarantee service provided by this plan, and the loan amount does not exceed 350,000 US dollars or 90% of the investment amount.

(10) Export financial assistance measures:

The World Trade Commission of California has an export financing assistance office, which provides small and medium-sized enterprises engaged in the export of California products with a loan amount of less than $450,000 to help manufacturers export.

(eleven) auxiliary measures for labor training:

The California government provides an employment training team to subsidize the training fees paid by employers to hire workers. In addition, there is a job training cooperation program, which provides companies with on-the-job training with 50% of workers' wages for up to six months.

Free trade zone of intransitive verbs

There are ten foreign trade zones in California, namely Oakland (Bay Area); San Francisco (Bay Area); San Jose (Bay Area); Shafter (Central Valley/Sheila); Palm Valley (Inland Empire); Long Beach (Los Angeles); Los Angeles (Los Angeles); Mei Port, Hojny (LA); West Sacramento (Sacramento); Santiago (Santiago)

Seven. Restrictions on foreign investment

California has no restrictions on foreign investment.

Eight, the investment department or related service units:

Foreign investment office

California Bureau of Trade and Commerce

80 1 K Street, 1936 Suite

Sacramento, California 958 14

Tel: (9 16) 327-5797

Fax: (9 16) 322-340 1

E-mail :ofi@commerce.ca.gov

(2) Other relevant institutions responsible for trade and investment:

1. California World Trade Commission (WTC)

Headquarters of the Office of Police Policy and Research

80 1 K Street, 1700 Suite

Sacramento, California 958 14-3520

2. California Export Finance Office (CEFO)

6 Centerpointe Road, Suite 760

La Palma, California 90623- 108 1

Tel: (7 14) 562-5529 Fax: (7 14)562-5530.

3. California Export Development Office

One World Trade Center, Suite 990

Long beach, California 9083 1-0990

(3) regional investment service institutions

1. Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation

32nd floor, Nanhua Street

Los Angeles, California 9007 1

Tel: (2 13) 236-48 10.

Fax: (2 13) 622-7 100.

2. San Diego Regional Economic Development Corporation

40 1 B Street, Suite 1 100

San Diego, California, at 92 10 1

Tel: (6 19) 234-8484

Fax: (6 19) 234- 1935

Nine, the main industries

(1) aerospace industry

California's space industry has a long history of development. There are 1, 140 aerospace manufacturers in this state, employing167,700 people, including 750 aircraft and parts manufacturers, 280 search and navigation equipment manufacturers and 1 15 aerospace and parts manufacturers, with a total production value of $29 billion. Some industries in California's aerospace industry occupy a leading position in the total output value of the United States, such as search and navigation equipment accounting for 35%, rockets, space shuttles and parts accounting for 28%, and aircraft and parts accounting for 18%.

California's aerospace industry is concentrated in Southern California, and more than half of its employees are concentrated in Los Angeles and Long Beach. Because the aerospace industry uses a large number of electronic and electrical products, and California is also in a leading position in the computer, electronics, avionics and other industries in the United States, the two industries complement each other. In addition, space technology can create and promote the development of emerging industries (such as multimedia, data and information, biomedicine and advanced transportation systems), which play an important role in California's economy. The famous aerospace manufacturers in California are: Boeing North America Company (newly named after Boeing acquired Rockwell International Company), Northrop Grumman Company, Lockheed Martin Missile and Aerospace Company, Boeing Company, Hughes Electronics Company and McDonnell Douglas Company (acquired by Boeing Company).

1980s and1990s, after the end of the cold war, the US government's defense budget was drastically cut, and California's space industry suffered a serious recession. After eight years of recession, growth did not resume until 1997. Due to 1997, the financial turmoil occurred in most Asian countries, and the economy experienced a serious recession, so the order for Boeing passenger aircraft was cancelled, which affected the operation of Boeing passenger aircraft department.

(2) Agriculture

California has always been the largest agricultural state in the United States, with an agricultural output value of $26.8 billion, providing nearly 396,000 jobs. California's agricultural exports amounted to $6.7 billion, of which one third was exported to the Asia-Pacific region ($2.3 billion). The exporting countries are Japan, Canada, Hong Kong, South Korea, Germany and Britain. California's largest export agricultural product is cotton, and the rest are flat walnuts, wine, grapes, oranges, beef, tomatoes, cheese, raisins, walnuts and rice.

(3) Computer and Electronic Industry

From 1970 to 1980, the computer and electronics industry in California has developed rapidly. Because the high-tech basic research department of electronic technology is completed in the research room of the University of California, these industries are rooted in California and attract more technical talents. California's electronics industry produces large computers, chips and labor-saving products. Many California companies have grown into international enterprises and set up branches all over the world. California has become an important innovator, manufacturer and user in the information technology industry.

California's computer industry is one of the main factors for California's vigorous economic development, with annual sales of about $35 billion, accounting for 39% of the US$ 90 billion sales. There are176,400 employees in the computer industry in California, accounting for 27% in the United States, and employees in the peripheral equipment industry exceed 50% in the United States. California's hardware and computer industry absorbed 37% of American venture capital. Computer manufacturers are mostly concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area and Southern California. However, more and more computer manufacturers choose to set up a base in Sacramento because of its vast territory, cheap land and consideration of housing costs and earthquake factors. Due to the continuous growth of the computer market in California, not only the original manufacturers continue to expand their business scale, but also attract new manufacturers to set up new companies in California. In addition, foreign manufacturers in urgent need of high technology flock to California to find partners, and venture capital funds from all over the United States and abroad also flood into the market, making the prospects of California's computer industry more promising.

(d) biochemical industry

There are about 376 biochemical companies in California, accounting for one-third of the United States, with an annual output value of about 8.4 billion US dollars. Biochemical companies in California are mainly concentrated in four regions. The Los Angeles area leads in the number of commercial research institutions and testing laboratories. UCLA, USC and Caltech are all famous research institutions. Amgen, a Fortune 500 company, is located in Thousand Oaks, near Los Angeles. Biochemical companies in the San Francisco Bay Area are mainly engaged in the research and development of biochemical technologies and materials. Santa Clara County is the second largest gathering area of commercial R&D institutions in the state. Important companies include Genentech (located in the south of San Francisco), which produces artificial insulin, and ALZA (located in Palo Alto), which produces Nicoderm, a smoking cessation product. The number of biochemical companies in San Diego County ranks third, and the Central Valley region ranks fourth, mainly focusing on the application of agriculture and food processing. The University of California, Davis, is the research center in this area. The biochemical and pharmaceutical industries in California employ about 50,500 employees. Due to the continuous entry of foreign capital in urgent need of advanced technology, California's biochemical industry is booming, especially biochemical technology products and commercial research.

(5) Financial services industry

California is the financial center of the west coast of the United States. There are 200 banks (registered in California), 190 joint credit banks, 70 savings bond companies, 54 trust companies, savings loans and financing financial institutions. The total assets of California financial institutions amounted to $596.7 billion. California is close to the Pacific basin, Canada and Mexico. There are 75 foreign banks in the state. Due to strong economic and employment growth, developed foreign trade and huge population and family, California has become the second largest financial center in the United States.

(VI) Computer software industry

California leads the United States in software industry. The output value of California software industry is about 2 1 100 million dollars. It employs104,000 people, accounting for 65,438+09% of the United States. Programming is the most important software industry, employing about 43% employees. Software package and computer integrated system design account for 36% and 2 1% respectively. There are about 6,500 software companies and many wholly-owned enterprises in California. More than half of them are concentrated in the Silicon Valley area of Northern California. Santa Clara has 1 0,200, providing nearly 30,000 job opportunities. Los Angeles ranked second with 65,438+0,65,438+050 jobs and 65,438+05,600 jobs. Others are scattered in Orange County, san mateo, Alameda and other counties. The software industry is one of the fastest growing industries in California. The average annual salary of the software industry in California is $66,760.

X. Industries with development potential

Aerospace, biochemistry, environmental protection, computer and electronics, tourism and other industries will continue to flourish.