"The
right to apply for a patent and the patent right may
be assigned.
Any
assignment, by a Chinese entity or individual, of the
right to apply for a patent, or of the patent right,
to a foreigner must be approved by the competent department
concerned of the State Council.
Where
the right to apply for a patent or the patent right
is assigned, the parties shall conclude a written contract
and register it with the Patent Administration Department
Under the State Council. The Patent Administration Department
Under the State Council shall announce the registration.
The assignment shall take effect as of the date of registration."
(Chinese Patent Law, Article 10)