As of July 1, 2000, the Interim Methods for the Administration of Sino-Foreign Joint-Funded and Cooperative Institutions came into force. These set forth conditions for the establishment of cooperative medical institutions - conditions that are less restrictive than they were previously. Compared with the Implementation Provisions for the Creation of Foreign-Invested Medical Institutions, this new provision reduces the minimum proportion of Chinese investment from 50% to 30% (wholly foreign-owned medical institutions are still prohibited, however). Further, there is no limit to the method the Chinese and foreign partners can use for the naming of a president, chairman, manager, director, etc. Also, the term for such joint medical institutions (typically 20 years) can now be extended when that 20-year period has run.