# Policy and regulatory basis
Article 17 of the Regulation on the Supervision and Administration of Securities Companies
The company registration authority should handle the establishment, modification and registration of withdrawal of the securities company and its domestic branches with the approval of the securities regulatory authority under the State Council. After obtaining a business license for a securities company or a domestic branch issued or renewed by the company registration authority, a securities company shall apply to the securities regulatory authority under the State Council for the issuance or renewal of a securities business license. The securities business license shall specify the securities business scope of the securities company or its domestic branch. Securities companies and their domestic branches shall not engage in securities business without obtaining a license for operating securities business.