Legal basis: Article 54 of the Patent Law of People's Republic of China (PRC). In case of national emergency or special circumstances, or for the purpose of public interest, the administrative department for patent in the State Council may grant a compulsory license to exploit a patent for invention or utility model. Article 55 For the purpose of public health, the patent administration department of the State Council may grant compulsory licenses for the manufacture and export of patented drugs to countries or regions that meet the requirements of relevant international treaties to which People's Republic of China (PRC) is a party. Article 56 Where an invention or utility model for which a patent right has been obtained is a major technological progress with great economic significance compared with the invention or utility model for which a patent right has been obtained before, and its implementation depends on the implementation of the previous invention or utility model, the patent administration department of the State Council may, upon the application of the latter patentee, grant a compulsory license to exploit the previous invention or utility model. Where a compulsory license is granted in accordance with the provisions of the preceding paragraph, the administrative department for patent in the State Council may also grant a compulsory license to exploit the latter invention or utility model upon the application of the former patentee.