§155 Authority of Registrar in Obtaining Evidence

Summary

The registrar can order people to appear and to bring books, papers, or other evidence for hearings. If the person is in China, the hearing can be anywhere in China. If the person actually lives or is staying outside China, the hearing must be within 50 miles of where they live or stay. The registrar can also have a deposition taken under oath, put in writing, and signed. The registrar or a person he authorizes can give oaths and question witnesses. Witnesses get the same fees and travel pay as witnesses in U.S. courts. If someone won’t obey, the registrar can ask a Federal district court to force them to comply and punish refusal as contempt. The registrar, or an authorized U.S. officer or employee, may inspect and copy any books, accounts, records, papers, or correspondence of a China Trade Act corporation at reasonable times. Anyone who refuses access or blocks copying can be fined up to $5,000 for each offense. The United States can sue to collect that penalty.