中华人民共和国宪法(1982,英文版)
发布时间: 2010-04-01 浏览次数: 305

 

CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE’s  REPUBLIC OF CHINA

 

Adopted at the Fifth Session of the Fifth National People’s  Congress and promulgated for implementation by the Proclamation of the National People’s Congress on December 41982

China is a country with one of the longest histories in the world. The people of all of China’s nationalities have jointly created a culture of grandeur and have a glorious revolutionary tradition.

After 1840feudal China was gradually turned into a semi-colonial and semi-feudal country. The Chinese people waged many successive heroic struggles for national independence and liberation and for democracy and freedom.

Great and earthshaking historical changes have taken place in China in the 20th century. The Revolution of 1911led by Dr. Sun Yat-senabolished the feudal monarchy and gave birth to the Republic of China. But the historic mission of the Chinese people to overthrow imperialism and feudalism remained unaccomplished.

After waging protracted and arduous strugglesarmed and otherwisealong a zigzag coursethe Chinese people of all nationalities led by the Communist Party of China with Chairman Mao Zedong as its leader ultimatelyin 1949overthrew the rule of imperialismfeudalism and bureaucrat-capitalismwon a great victory in the New-Democratic Revolution and founded the People’s Republic of China. Since then the Chinese people have taken control of state power and become masters of the country. After the founding of the People’s RepublicChina gradually achieved its transition from a New-Democratic to a socialist society. The socialist transformation of the private ownership of the means of production has been completedthe system of exploitation of man by man abolished and the socialist system established. The people’s democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasantswhich is in essence the dictatorship of the proletariathas been consolidated and developed. The Chinese people and the Chinese People’s Liberation Army have defeated imperialist and hegemonist aggressionsabotage and armed provocations and have thereby safeguarded China’snational independence and security and strengthened its national defence. Major successes have been achieved in economic development. An independent and relatively comprehensive socialist system of industry has basically been established. There has been a marked increase in agricultural production. Significant advances have been made in educationalscientific and cultural undertakingswhile education in socialist ideology has produced noteworthy results. The life of the people has improved considerably.

Both the victory in China’s New-Democratic Revolution and the successes in its socialist cause have been achieved by the Chinese people of all nationalitiesunder the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thoughtby upholding truthcorrecting errors and surmounting numerous difficulties and hardships. The basic task of the nation in the years to come is to concentrate its effort on socialist modernization. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thoughtthe Chinese people of all nationalities will continue to adhere to the people’s democratic dictatorship and the socialist roadsteadily improve socialist institutionsdevelop socialist democracyimprove the socialist legal systemand work hard and self-reliantly to modernize the country’s industryagriculturenational defence and science and technology step by step to turn China into a socialist country with a high level of culture and democracy.

The exploiting classes as such have been abolished in our country.

Howeverclass struggle will continue to exist within certain bounds for a long time to come. The Chinese people must fight against those forces and elementsboth at home and abroadthat are hostile to China’s  socialist system and try to undermine it. Taiwan is part of the sacred territory of the People’s Republic of China. It is the inviolable duty of all Chinese peopleincluding our compatriots in Taiwanto accomplish the great task of reunifying the motherland.

In building socialism it is essential to rely on workerspeasants and intellectuals and to unite all forces that can be united. In the long years of revolution and constructionthere has been formed under the leadership of the Communist Party of China a broad patriotic united front which is composed of the democratic parties and people’s organizations and which embraces all socialist working peopleall patriots who support socialism and all patriots who stand for the reunification of the motherland. This united front will continue to be consolidated and developed. The Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conferencea broadly based representative organization of the united front which has played a significant historical rolewill play a still more important role in the country’s political and social lifein promoting friendship with other countries and in the struggle for socialist modernization and for the reunification and unity of the country.

The People’s Republic of China is a unitary multinational state created jointly by the people of all its nationalities. Socialist relations of equalityunity and mutual assistance have been established among the nationalities and will continue to be strengthened. In the struggle to safeguard the unity of the nationalitiesit is necessary to combat big- nation chauvinismmainly Han chauvinismand to combat local national chauvinism. The state will do its utmost to promote the common prosperity of all the nationalities. China’s achievements in revolution and construction are inseparable from the support of the people of the world. The future of China is closely linked to the future of the world. China consistently carries out an independent foreign policy and adheres to the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integritymutual non-aggressionnon-interference in each other’sinternal affairsequality and mutual benefitand peaceful coexistence in developing diplomatic relations and economic and cultural exchanges with other countries. China consistently opposes imperialismhegemonism and colonialismworks to strengthen unity with the people of other countriessupports the oppressed nations and the developing countries in their just struggle to win and preserve national independence and develop their national economiesand strives to safeguard world peace and promote the cause of human progress.

This Constitutionin legal formaffirms the achievements of the struggles of the Chinese people of all nationalities and defines the basic system and basic tasks of the state it is the fundamental law of the state and has supreme legal authority. The people of all nationalitiesall state organsthe armed forcesall political parties and public organizations and all enterprises and institutions in the country must take the Constitution as the basic standard of conductand they have the duty to uphold the dignity of the Constitution and ensure its implementation.

 

Chapter I General Principles

Article 1

The People’s Republic of China is a socialist state under the people’s democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance of workers and peasants. The socialist system is the basic system of the People’sRepublic of China. Disruption of the socialist system by any organization or individual is prohibited.

Article 2

All power in the People’s Republic of China belongs to the people. The National People’s Congress and the local people’s congresses at various levels are the organs through which the people exercise state power.

The people administer state affairs and manage economiccultural and social affairs through various channels and in various ways in accordance with the law.

Article 3

The state organs of the People’s Republic of China apply the principle of democratic centralism.

The National People’s  Congress and the local people’s congresses at various levels are constituted through democratic elections. They are responsible to the people and subject to their supervision. All administrativejudicial and procuratorial organs of the state are created by the people’scongresses to which they are responsible and by which they are supervised. The division of functions and powers between the central and local state organs is guided by the principle of giving full scope to the initiative and enthusiasm of the local authorities under the unified leadership of the central authorities.

Article 4

All nationalities in the People’s Republic of China are equal. The state protects the lawful rights and interests of the minority nationalities and upholds and develops a relationship of equalityunity and mutual assistance among all of China’s nationalities. Discrimination against and oppression of any nationality are prohibited any act which undermines the unity of the nationalities or instigates division is prohibited. The state assists areas inhabited by minority nationalities in accelerating their economic and cultural development according to the characteristics and needs of the various minority nationalities. Regional autonomy is practised in areas where people of minority nationalities live in concentrated communities in these areas organs of self-government are established to exercise the power of autonomy. All national autonomous areas are integral parts of the People’s Republic of China.

All nationalities have the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and written languages and to preserve or reform their own folkways and customs.

Article 5

The state upholds the uniformity and dignity of the socialist legal system.

No laws or administrative or local rules and regulations may contravene the Constitution. All state organsthe armed forcesall political parties and public organizations and all enterprises and institutions must abide by the Constitution and the law. All acts in violation of the Constitution or the law must be investigated. No organization or individual is privileged to be beyond the Constitution or the law.

 

Article 6

The basis of the socialist economic system of the People’s  Republic of China is socialist public ownership of the means of productionnamelyownership by the whole people and collective ownership by the working people.

The system of socialist public ownership supersedes the system of exploitation of man by man it applies the principle of from each according to his abilityto each according to his work.

Article 7

The state economy is the sector of socialist economy under ownership by the whole people it is the leading force in the national economy. The state ensures the consolidation and growth of the state economy.

Article 8

Rural people’s communesagricultural producers cooperatives and other forms of cooperatives economysuch as producers’,supply and marketingcredit and consumers cooperativesbelong to the sector of socialist economy under collective ownership by the working people. Working people who are members of rural economic collective have the rightwithin the limits prescribed by lawto farm plots of cropland and hilly land allotted for their private useengage in household sideline production and raise privately owned livestock.

The various forms of cooperative economy in the cities and townssuch as those in the handicraftindustrialbuildingtransportcommercial and service tradesall belong to the sector of socialist economy under collective ownership by the working people. The state protects the lawful rights and interests of the urban and rural economic collective and encouragesguides and helps the growth of the collective economy.

Article 9

All mineral resourceswatersforestsmountainsgrasslandunreclaimed landbeaches and other natural resources are owned by the statethat isby the whole peoplewith the exception of the forestsmountainsgrasslandsunreclaimed land and beaches that are owned by collective in accordance with the law.

The state ensures the rational use of natural resources and protects rare animals and plants. Appropriation or damaging of natural resources by any organization or individual by whatever means is prohibited.

Article 10

Land in the cities is owned by the state. Land in the rural and suburban areas is owned by collectives except for those portions which belong to the state in accordance with the law house sites and privately farmed plots of cropland and hilly land are also owned by collectives.

The state mayin the public interestrequisition land for its use in accordance with the law.

No organization or individual may appropriatebuysell or lease land or otherwise engage in the transfer of land by unlawful means. All organizations and individuals using land must ensure its rational use.

Article 11

The individual economy of urban and rural working peopleoperating within the limits prescribed by lawis a complement to the socialist public economy. The state protects the lawful rights and interests of the individual economy.

The state guidesassists and supervises the individual economy by administrative control.

Article 12

Socialist public property is inviolable. The state protects socialist public property. Appropriation or damaging of state or collective property by any organization or individual by whatever means is prohibited.

Article 13

The state protects the right of citizens to own lawfully earned incomesavingshouses and other lawful property. The state protects according to law the right of citizens to inherit private property.

Article 14

The state continuously raises labour productivityimproves economic results and develops the productive forces by enhancing the enthusiasm of the working peopleraising the level of their technical skilldisseminating advanced science and technologyimproving the systems of economic administration and enterprise operation and managementinstituting the socialist system of responsibility in various forms and improving the organization of work.

The state practises strict economy and combats waste.

The state properly apportions accumulation and consumptionconcerns itself with the interests of the collective and the individual as well as of the state andon the basis of expanded productiongradually improves the material and cultural life of the people.

Article 15

The state practises planned economy on the basis of socialist public ownership. It ensures the proportionate and coordinated growth of the national economy through overall balancing by economic planning and the supplementary role of regulation by the market. Disturbance of the socioeconomic order or disruption of the state economic plan by any organization or individual is prohibited.

Article 16

State enterprises have decision-making power with regard to operation and management within the limits prescribed by lawon condition that they submit to unified leadership by the state and fulfil all their obligations under the state plan. State enterprises practise democratic management through congresses of workers and staff and in other ways in accordance with the law.

Article 17

Collective economic organizations have decision-making power in conducting independent economic activitieson condition that they accept the guidance of the state plan and abide by the relevant laws. Collective economic organizations practise democratic management in accordance with the law. The entire body of their workers elects or removes their managerial personnel and decides on major issues concerning operation and management.

Article 18

The People’s Republic of China permits foreign enterprisesother foreign economic organizations and individual foreigners to invest in China and to enter into various forms of economic cooperation with Chinese enterprises and other Chinese economic organizations in accordance with the law of the People’s Republic of China. All foreign enterprisesother foreign economic organizations as well as Chinese-foreign joint ventures within Chinese territory shall abide by the law of the People’s Republic of China. Their lawful rights and interests are protected by the law of the People’s Republic of China.

Article 19

The state undertakes the development of socialist education and works to raise the scientific and cultural level of the whole nation.

The state establishes and administers schools of various typesuniversalizes compulsory primary education and promotes secondaryvocational and higher education as well as preschool education.

 

The state develops educational facilities in order to eliminate illiteracy and provide politicalscientifictechnical and professional education as well as general education for workerspeasantsstate functionaries and other working people. It encourages people to become educated through independent study.

The state encourages the collective economic organizationsstate enterprises and institutions and other sectors of society to establish educational institutions of various types in accordance with the law. The state promotes the nationwide use of Putonghua common speech based on Beijing pronunciation)。

Article 20

The state promotes the development of the natural and social sciencesdisseminates knowledge of science and technologyand commends and rewards achievements in scientific research as well as technological innovations and inventions.

Article 21

The state develops medical and health servicespromotes modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicineencourages and supports the setting up of various medical and health facilities by the rural economic collectivesstate enterprises and institutions and neighbourhood organizationsand promotes health and sanitation activities of a mass characterall for the protection of the people’s health.

The state develops physical culture and promotes mass sports activities to improve the people’s  physical fitness.

Article 22

The state promotes the development of art and literaturethe pressradio and television broadcastingpublishing and distribution serviceslibrariesmuseumscultural centres and other cultural undertakings that serve the people and socialismand it sponsors mass cultural activities. The state protects sites of scenic and historical interestvaluable cultural monuments and relics and other significant items of China’s historical and cultural heritage.

Article 23

The state trains specialized personnel in all fields who serve socialismexpands the ranks of intellectuals and creates conditions to give full scope to their role in socialist modernization.

Article 24

The state strengthens the building of a socialist society with an advanced culture and ideology by promoting education in high idealsethicsgeneral knowledgediscipline and legalityand by promoting the formulation and observance of rules of conduct and common pledges by various sections of the people in urban and rural areas. The state advocates the civic virtues of love of the motherlandof the peopleof labourof science and of socialism. It conducts education among the people in patriotism and collectivismin internationalism and communism and in dialectical and historical materialismto combat capitalistfeudal and other decadent ideas.

Article 25

The state promotes family planning so that population growth may fit the plans for economic and social development.

Article 26

The state protects and improves the environment in which people live and the ecological environment. It prevents and controls pollution and other public hazards. The state organizes and encourages afforestation and the protection of forests.

Article 27

All state organs carry out the principle of simple and efficient administrationthe system of responsibility for work and the system of training functionaries and appraising their performance in order constantly to improve the quality of work and efficiency and combat bureaucratism.

All state organs and functionaries must rely on the support of the peoplekeep in close touch with themheed their opinions and suggestionsaccept their supervision and do their best to serve them.

Article 28

The state maintains public order and suppresses treasonable and other counter-revolutionary activities it penalizes criminal activities that endanger public security and disrupt the socialist economy as well as other criminal activities and it punishes and reforms criminals.

Article 29

The armed forces of the People’s Republic of China belong to the people. Their tasks are to strengthen national defenceresist aggressiondefend the motherlandsafeguard the people’s peaceful labourparticipate in national reconstruction and do their best to serve the people. The state strengthens the revolutionizationmodernization and regularization of the armed forces in order to increase national defence capability.

Article 30

The administrative division of the People’s  Republic of China is as follows

1 The country is divided into provincesautonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government

2 Provinces and autonomous regions are divided into autonomous prefecturescountiesautonomous countiesand cities

3 Counties and autonomous counties are divided into townshipsnationality townshipsand towns.

Municipalities directly under the Central Government and other large cities are divided into districts and counties. Autonomous prefectures are divided into countiesautonomous countiesand cities. All autonomous regionsautonomous prefectures and autonomous counties are national autonomous areas.

Article 31

The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The systems to be instituted in special administrative regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the National People’s Congress in the light of specific conditions.

Article 32

The People’s Republic of China protects the lawful rights and interests of foreigners within Chinese territory foreigners on Chinese territory must abide by the laws of the People’s Republic of China. The People’sRepublic of China may grant asylum to foreigners who request it for political reasons.

 

 Chapter II The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens

Article 33

All persons holding the nationality of the People’s Republic of China are citizens of the People’s Republic of China. All citizens of the People’sRepublic of China are equal before the law. Every citizen is entitled to the rights and at the same time must perform the duties prescribed by the Constitution and the law.

Article 34

All citizens of the People’s Republic of China who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote and stand for electionregardless of ethnic statusracesexoccupationfamily backgroundreligious beliefeducationproperty status or length of residenceexcept persons deprived of political rights according to law.

Article 35

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of speechof the pressof assemblyof associationof procession and of demonstration.

Article 36

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief. No state organpublic organization or individual may compel citizens to believe inor not to believe inany religion nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe inor do not believe inany religion.

The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public orderimpair the health of citizens or interfere with the educational system of the state. Religious bodies and religious affairs are not subject to any foreign domination.

Article 37

Freedom of the person of citizens of the People’s  Republic of China is inviolable. No citizen may be arrested except with the approval or by decision of a people’s procuratorate or by decision of a people’s courtand arrests must be made by a public security organ. Unlawful detention or deprivation or restriction of citizens freedom of the person by other means is prohibitedand unlawful search of the person of citizens is prohibited.

Article 38

The personal dignity of citizens of the People’s  Republic of China is inviolable. Insultlibelfalse accusation or false incrimination directed against citizens by any means is prohibited.

Article 39

The residences of citizens of the People’s  Republic of China are inviolable. Unlawful search ofor intrusion intoa citizen’s residence is prohibited.

Article 40

Freedom and privacy of correspondence of citizens of the People’s Republic of China are protected by law. No organization or individual mayon any groundinfringe upon citizens freedom and privacy of correspondenceexcept in cases whereto meet the needs of state security or of criminal investigationpublic security or procuratorial organs are permitted to censor correspondence in accordance with procedures prescribed by law.

Article 41

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the right to criticize and make suggestions regarding any state organ or functionary. Citizens have the right to make to relevant state organs complaints or charges againstor exposures ofany state organ or functionary for violation of the law or dereliction of duty but fabrication or distortion of facts for purposes of libel or false incrimination is prohibited. The state organ concerned must deal with complaintscharges or exposures made by citizens in a responsible manner after ascertaining the facts. No one may suppress such complaintscharges and exposures or retaliate against the citizens making them. Citizens who have suffered losses as a result of infringement of their civic rights by any state organ or functionary have the right to compensation in accordance with the law.

Article 42

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the right as well as the duty to work. Through various channelsthe state creates conditions for employmentenhances occupational safety and healthimproves working conditions andon the basis of expanded productionincreases remuneration for work and welfare benefits. Work is a matter of honour for every citizen who is able to work. All working people in state enterprises and in urban and rural economic collectives should approach their work as the masters of the country that they are. The state promotes socialist labour emulationand commends and rewards model and advanced workers. The state encourages citizens to take part in voluntary labour. The state provides necessary vocational training for citizens before they are employed.

Article 43

Working people in the People’s Republic of China have the right to rest. The state expands facilities for the rest and recuperation of the working people and prescribes working hours and vacations for workers and staff.

Article 44

The state applies the system of retirement for workers and staff of enterprises and institutions and for functionaries of organs of state according to law. The livelihood of retired personnel is ensured by the state and society.

Article 45

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the right to material assistance from the state and society when they are oldill or disabled. The state develops social insurancesocial relief and medical and health services that are required for citizens to enjoy this right. The state and society ensure the livelihood of disabled members of the armed forcesprovide pensions to the families of martyrs and give preferential treatment to the families of military personnel. The state and society help make arrangements for the worklivelihood and education of the blinddeaf-mutes and other handicapped citizens.

Article 46

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the duty as well as the right to receive education. The state promotes the all-round development of children and young peoplemorallyintellectually and physically.

Article 47

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China have the freedom to engage in scientific researchliterary and artistic creation and other cultural pursuits. The state encourages and assists creative endeavors conducive to the interests of the people that are made by citizens engaged in educationsciencetechnologyliteratureart and other cultural work.

Article 48

Women in the People’s Republic of China enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of lifein politicaleconomicculturalsocial and family life. The state protects the rights and interests of womenapplies the principle of equal pay for equal work to men and women alike and trains and selects cadres from among women.

Article 49

Marriagethe family and mother and child are protected by the state. Both husband and wife have the duty to practise family planning. Parents have the duty to rear and educate their children who are minorsand children who have come of age have the duty to support and assist their parents. Violation of the freedom of marriage is prohibited. Maltreatment of old peoplewomen and children is prohibited.

Article 50

The People’s  Republic of China protects the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals residing abroad and protects the lawful rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and of the family members of Chinese nationals residing abroad.

Article 51

Citizens of the People’s Republic of Chinain exercising their freedoms and rightsmay not infringe upon the interests of the stateof society or of the collectiveor upon the lawful freedoms and rights of other citizens.

Article 52

It is the duty of citizens of the People’s Republic of China to safeguard the unification of the country and the unity of all its nationalities.

Article 53

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China must abide by the Constitution and the lawkeep state secretsprotect public propertyobserve labour discipline and public order and respect social ethics.

Article 54

It is the duty of citizens of the People’s Republic of China to safeguard the securityhonour and interests of the motherland they must not commit acts detrimental to the securityhonour and interests of the motherland.

Article 55

It is the sacred duty of every citizen of the People’s Republic of China to defend the motherland and resist aggression. It is the honorable duty of citizens of the People’s Republic of China to perform military service and join the militia in accordance with the law.

Article 56

It is duty of citizens of the People’s Republic of China to pay taxes in accordance with the law.

Chapter III The Structure of the State

Section 1 The National People’s Congress

Article 57

The National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China is the highest organ of state power. Its permanent body is the Standing Committee of the National People’sCongress.

Article 58

The National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee exercise the legislative power of the state.

Article 59

The National People’s Congress is composed of deputies elected from the provincesautonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and of deputies elected from the armed forces. All the minority nationalities are entitled to appropriate representation. Election of deputies to the National People’s Congress is conducted by the Standing Committee of the National People’sCongress. The number of deputies to the National People’s Congress and the procedure of their election are prescribed by law.

Article 60

The National People’s Congress is elected for a term of five years. The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress must ensure the completion of election of deputies to the succeeding National People’sCongress two months prior to the expiration of the term of office of the current National People’s Congress. Should extraordinary circumstances prevent such an electionit may be postponed and the term of office of the current National People’sCongress extended by the decision of a vote of more than two-thirds of all those on the Standing Committee of the current National People’s Congress. The election of deputies to the succeeding National People’sCongress must be completed within one year after the termination of such extraordinary circumstances.

Article 61

The National People’s Congress meets in session once a year and is convened by its Standing Committee. A session of the National People’s Congress may be convened at any time the Standing Committee deems it necessary or when more than one-fifth of the deputies to the National People’sCongress so propose.

When the National People’s  Congress meetsit elects a Presidium to conduct its session.

Article 62

The National People’s  Congress exercises the following functions and powers

1 to amend the Constitution

2 to supervise the enforcement of the Constitution

3 to enact and amend basic laws governing criminal offencescivil affairsthe state organs and other matters

4 to elect the President and the Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China

5 to decide on the choice of the Premier of the State Council upon nomination by the President of the People’s Republic of Chinaand on the choice of the Vice-PremiersState CouncillorsMinisters in charge of ministries or commissionsthe Auditor-General and the Secretary-General of the State Council upon nomination by the Premier

6 to elect the Chairman of the Central Military Commission andupon nomination by the Chairmanto decide on the choice of all other members of the Central Military Commission

7 to elect the President of the Supreme People’s Court

8 to elect the Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s  procuratorate

9 to examine and approve the plan for national economic and social development and the report on its implementation

10 to examine and approve the state budget and the report on its implementation

11 to alter or annul inappropriate decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress

12 to approve the establishment of provincesautonomous regionsand municipalities directly under the Central Government

13 to decide on the establishment of special administrative regions and the systems to be instituted there

14 to decide on questions of war and peace and

15 to exercise such other functions and powers as the highest organ of state power should exercise.

Article 63

The National People’s Congress has the power to remove from office the following persons

1 the President and the Vice-President of the People’s  Republic of China

2 the PremierVice-PremiersState CouncillorsMinisters in charge of ministries or commissionsthe Auditor-General and the Secretary-General of the State Council

3 the Chairman of the Central Military Commission and other members of the Commission

4 the President of the Supreme People’s Court and

5 the Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s  procuratorate.

Article 64

Amendments to the Constitution are to be proposed by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress or by more than one-fifth of the deputies to the National People’s Congress and adopted by a vote of more than two-thirds of all the deputies to the Congress. Laws and resolutions are to be adopted by a majority vote of all the deputies to the National People’sCongress.

Article 65

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress is composed of the following the Chairmanthe Vice-Chairmen

the Secretary-General and the members.

Minority nationalities are entitled to appropriate representation on the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

The National People’s Congress electsand has the power to recallmembers of its Standing Committee.

No one on the Standing Committee of the National People’s  Congress shall hold office in any of the administrativejudicial or procuratorial organs of the state.

Article 66

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress is elected for the same term as the National People’s Congress it shall exercise its functions and powers until a new Standing Committee is elected by the succeeding National People’sCongress. The Chairman and Vice-Chairmen of the Standing Committee shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Article 67

The Standing Committee of the National People’s  Congress exercises the following functions and powers

1 to interpret the Constitution and supervise its enforcement

2 to enact and amend lawswith the exception of those which should be enacted by the National People’s Congress

3 to partially supplement and amendwhen the National People’s Congress is not in sessionlaws enacted by the National People’s Congress provided that the basic principles of these laws are not contravened

4 to interpret laws

5 to review and approvewhen the National People’s Congress is not in sessionpartial adjustments to the plan for national economic and social development or to the state budget that prove necessary in the course of their implementation

6 to supervise the work of the State Councilthe Central Military Commissionthe Supreme People’s  Court and the Supreme People’s procuratorate

7 to annul those administrative rules and regulationsdecisions or orders of the State Council that contravene the Constitution or the law

8 to annul those local regulations or decisions of the organs of state power of provincesautonomous regionsand municipalities directly under the Central Government that contravene the Constitutionthe law or the administrative rules and regulations

9 to decidewhen the National People’s Congress is not in sessionon the choice of Ministers in charge of ministries or commissionsthe Auditor-General or the Secretary-General of the State Council upon nomination by the Premier of the State Council

10 to decideupon nomination by the Chairman of the Central Military Commissionon the choice of other members of the Commissionwhen the National People’s Congress is not in session

11 to appoint or removeat the recommendation of the President of the Supreme People’s Courtthe Vice-Presidents and Judges of the Supreme People’s Courtmembers of its Judicial Committee and the President of the Military Court

12 to appoint or removeat the recommendation of the Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s  procuratoratethe Deputy Procurators-General and procurators of the Supreme People’s Procuratoratemembers of its Procuratorial Committee and the Chief Procurator of the Military Procuratorateand to approve the appointment or removal of the chief procurators of the people’s procuratorates of provincesautonomous regionsand municipalities directly under the Central Government

13 to decide on the appointment or recall of plenipotentiary representatives abroad

14 to decide on the ratification or abrogation of treaties and important agreements concluded with foreign states

15 to institute systems of titles and ranks for military and diplomatic personnel and of other specific titles and ranks

16 to institute state medals and titles of honour and decide on their conferment

17 to decide on the granting of special pardons

18 to decidewhen the National People’s Congress is not in sessionon the proclamation of a state of war in the event of an armed attack on the country or in fulfillment of international treaty obligations concerning common defence against aggression

19 to decide on general mobilization or partial mobilization

20 to decide on the imposition of martial law throughout the country or in particular provincesautonomous regionsor municipalities directly under the Central Government and

21 to exercise such other functions and powers as the National People’s Congress may assign to it.

Article 68

The Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s  Congress directs the work of the Standing Committee and convenes its meetings. The Vice-Chairmen and the Secretary-General assist the Chairman in his work. The Chairmanthe Vice-Chairmen and the Secretary-General constitute the Council of Chairmen which handles the important day-to-day work of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

Article 69

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress is responsible to the National People’s Congress and reports on its work to the Congress.

Article 70

The National People’s Congress establishes a Nationalities Committeea Law Committeea Finance and Economic Committeean EducationScienceCulture and Public Health Committeea Foreign Affairs Committeean Overseas Chinese Committee and such other special committees as are necessary. These special committees work under the direction of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress when the Congress is not in session.

The special committees examinediscuss and draw up relevant bills and draft resolutions under the direction of the National People’s  Congress and its Standing Committee.

Article 71

The National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee maywhen they deem it necessaryappoint committees of inquiry into specific questions and adopt relevant resolutions in the light of their reports. All organs of statepublic organizations and citizens concerned are obliged to furnish necessary information to the committees of inquiry when they conduct investigations.

Article 72

Deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of its Standing Committee have the rightin accordance with procedures prescribed by lawto submit bills and proposals within the scope of the respective functions and powers of the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee.

Article 73

Deputies to the National People’s Congress and members of the Standing Committee have the rightduring the sessions of the Congress and the meetings of the Committeeto address questionsin accordance with procedures prescribed by lawto the State Council or the ministries and commissions under the State Councilwhich must answer the questions in a responsible manner.

Article 74

No deputy to the National People’s Congress may be arrested or placed on criminal trial without the consent of the Presidium of the current session of the National People’s Congress orwhen the National People’s Congress is not in sessionwithout the consent of its Standing Committee.

Article 75

Deputies to the National People’s Congress may not be held legally liable for their speeches or votes at its meetings.

Article 76

Deputies to the National People’s Congress must play an exemplary role in abiding by the Constitution and the law and keeping state secrets andin public activitiesproduction and other workassist in the enforcement of the Constitution and the law. Deputies to the National People’s Congress should maintain close contact with the units which elected them and with the peopleheed and convey the opinions and demands of the people and work hard to serve them.

Article 77

Deputies to the National People’s Congress are subject to supervision by the units which elected them. The electoral units have the powerthrough procedures prescribed by lawto recall deputies they elected.

Article 78

The organization and working procedures of the National People’s  Congress and its Standing Committee are prescribed by law.

Section 2 The President of the People’s  Republic of China

Article 79

The President and Vice-President of the People’s  Republic of China are elected by the National People’s Congress.

Citizens of the People’s Republic of China who have the right to vote and to stand for election and who have reached the age of 45 are eligible for election as President or Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China. The term of office of the President and Vice-President of the People’sRepublic of China is the same as that of the National People’s Congressand they shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Article 80

The President of the People’s Republic of Chinain pursuance of the decisions of the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committeepromulgates statutesappoints or removes the PremierVice-PremiersState CouncillorsMinisters in charge of ministries or commissionsthe Auditor-General and the Secretary-General of the State Council confers state medals and titles of honour issues orders of special pardons

proclaims martial law proclaims a state of war and issues mobilization orders.

Article 81

The President of the People’s  Republic of China receives foreign diplomatic representatives on behalf of the People’s Republic of China andin pursuance of the decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congressappoints or recalls plenipotentiary representatives abroadand ratifies or abrogates treaties and important agreements concluded with foreign states.

Article 82

The Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China assists the President in his work. The Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China may exercise such functions and powers of the President as the President may entrust to him.

Article 83

The President and Vice-President of the People’s  Republic of China exercise their functions and powers until the new President and Vice- President elected by the succeeding National People’s Congress assume office.

Article 84

In the event that the office of the President of the People’s Republic of China falls vacantthe Vice-President succeeds to the office of the President.

In the event that the office of the Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China falls vacantthe National People’s Congress shall elect a new Vice-President to fill the vacancy. In the event that the office of both the President and the Vice-President of the People’s Republic of China fall vacantthe National People’s Congress shall elect a new President and a new Vice-President. Prior to such electionthe Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress shall temporarily act as the President of the People’s Republic of China.

Section 3 The State Council

Article 85

The State Councilthat isthe Central People’s  Governmentof the People’s Republic of China is the executive body of the highest organ of state power it is the highest organ of state administration.

Article 86

The State Council is composed of the following

the Premier

the Vice-Premiers

the State Councillors

the Ministers in charge of ministries

the Ministers in charge of commissions

the Auditor-General and the Secretary-General.

 

The Premier assumes overall responsibility for the work of the State Council. The Ministers assume overall responsibility for the work of the ministries and commissions. The organization of the State Council is prescribed by law.

Article 87

The term of office of the State Council is the same as that of the National People’s Congress.

The PremierVice-Premiers and State Councillors shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

Article 88

The Premier directs the work of the State Council. The Vice-Premiers and State Councillors assist the Premier in his work. Executive meetings of the State Council are to be attended by the Premierthe Vice-Premiersthe State Councillors and the Secretary-General of the State Council. The Premier convenes and presides over the executive meetings and plenary meetings of the State Council.

Article 89

The State Council exercises the following functions and powers

1 to adopt administrative measuresenact administrative rules and regulations and issue decisions and orders in accordance with the Constitution and the law

2 to submit proposals to the National People’s Congress or its Standing Committee

3 to formulate the tasks and responsibilities of the ministries and commissions of the State Councilto exercise unified leadership over the work of the ministries and commissions and to direct all other administrative work of a national character that does not fall within the jurisdiction of the ministries and commissions

4 to exercise unified leadership over the work of local organs of state administration at various levels throughout the countryand to formulate the detailed division of functions and powers between the Central Government and the organs of state administration of provincesautonomous regionsand municipalities directly under the Central Government

5 to draw up and implement the plan for national economic and social development and the state budget

6 to direct and administer economic affairs and urban and rural development

7 to direct and administer the affairs of educationscienceculturepublic healthphysical culture and family planning

8 to direct and administer civil affairspublic securityjudicial administrationsupervision and other related matters

9 to conduct foreign affairs and conclude treaties and agreements with foreign states

10 to direct and administer the building of national defence

11 to direct and administer affairs concerning the nationalities and to safeguard the equal rights of minority nationalities and the right to autonomy of the national autonomous areas

12 to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals residing abroad and protect the lawful rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and of the family members of Chinese nationals residing abroad

13 to alter or annul inappropriate ordersdirectives and regulations issued by the ministries or commissions

14 to alter or annul inappropriate decisions and orders issued by local organs of state administration at various levels

15 to approve the geographic division of provincesautonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Governmentand to approve the establishment and geographic division of autonomous prefecturescountiesautonomous countiesand cities

16 to decide on the imposition of martial law in parts of provincesautonomous regionsand municipalities directly under the Central Government

17 to examine and decide on the size of administrative organs andin accordance with the lawto appoint or remove administrative officialstrain themappraise their performance and reward or punish them and

18 to exercise such other functions and powers as the National People’s Congress or its Standing Committee may assign to it.

Article 90

Ministers in charge of the ministries or commissions of the State Council are responsible for the work of their respective departments and they convene and preside over ministerial meetings or general and executive meetings of the commissions to discuss and decide on major issues in the work of their respective departments. The ministries and commissions issue ordersdirectives and regulations within the jurisdiction of their respective departments and in accordance with the law and the administrative rules and regulationsdecisions and orders issued by the State Council.

Article 91

 

The State Council establishes an auditing body to supervise through auditing the revenue and expenditure of all departments under the State Council and of the local governments at various levelsand the revenue and expenditure of all financial and monetary organizationsenterprises and institutions of the state.

Under the direction of the Premier of the State Councilthe auditing body independently exercises its power of supervision through auditing in accordance with the lawsubject to no interference by any other administrative organ or any public organization or individual.

Article 92

The State Council is responsible and reports on its work to the National People’s Congress orwhen the National People’s Congress is not in sessionto its Standing Committee.

Section 4 The Central Military Commission

Article 93

The Central Military Commission of the People’s Republic of China directs the armed forces of the country. The Central Military Commission is composed of the following

the Chairman

the Vice-Chairmen and the members.

The Chairman assumes overall responsibility for the work of the Central Military Commission.

The term of office of the Central Military Commission is the same as that of the National People’s Congress.

Article 94

The Chairman of the Central Military Commission is responsible to the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee. Section 5 The Local People’s Congresses and Local People’sGovernments at Various Levels

Article 95

People’s congresses and people’s governments are established in provincesmunicipalities directly under the Central Governmentcountiescitiesmunicipal districtstownshipsnationality townshipsand towns. The organization of local people’s congresses and local people’s governments at various levels is prescribed by law. Organs of self-government are established in autonomous regionsautonomous prefectures and autonomous counties. The organization and working procedures of organs of self-government are prescribed by law in accordance with the basic principles laid down in Sections 5 and 6 of

Chapter III of the Constitution.

Article 96

Local people’s congresses at various levels are local organs of state power. Local people’s congresses at and above the county level establish standing committees.

Article 97

Deputies to the people’s congresses of provincesmunicipalities directly under the Central Government and cities divided into districts are elected by the people’s congresses at the next lower level deputies to the people’scongresses of countiescities not divided into districtsmunicipal districtstownshipsnationality townshipsand towns are elected directly by their constituencies.

The number of deputies to local people’s congresses at various levels and the manner of their election are prescribed by law.

Article 98

The term of office of the people’s congresses of provincesmunicipalities directly under the Central Government and cities divided into districts is five years. The term of office of the people’s congresses of countiescities not divided into districtsmunicipal districtstownshipsnationality townshipsand towns is three years.

Article 99

Local people’s congresses at various levels ensure the observance and implementation of the Constitution and the law and the administrative rules and regulations in their respective administrative areas. Within the limits of their authority as prescribed by lawthey adopt and issue resolutions and examine and decide on plans for local economic and cultural development and for the development of public services. Local people’s congresses at and above the county level shall examine and approve the plans for economic and social development and the budgets of their respective administrative areas and examine and approve the reports on their implementation. They have the power to alter or annul inappropriate decisions of their own standing committees. The people’scongresses of nationality townships maywithin the limits of their authority as prescribed by lawtake specific measures suited to the characteristics of the nationalities concerned.

Article 100

The people’s congresses of provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government and their standing committees may adopt local regulationswhich must not contravene the Constitution and the law and administrative rules and regulationsand they shall report such local regulations to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for the record.

Article 101

Local people’s congresses at their respective levels elect and have the power to recall governors and deputy governorsor mayors and deputy mayorsor heads and deputy heads of countiesdistrictstownships and towns.

Local people’s congresses at and above the county level electand have the power to recallpresidents of people’s courts and chief procurators of people’s procuratorates at the corresponding level. The election or recall of chief procurators of people’s procuratorates shall be reported to the chief procurators of the people’s procuratorates at the next higher level for submission to the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding level for approval.

Article 102

Deputies to the people’s congresses of provincesmunicipalities directly under the Central Government and cities divided into districts are subject to supervision by the units which elected them deputies to the people’s congresses of countiescities not divided into districtsmunicipal districtstownshipsnationality townshipsand towns are subject to supervision by their constituencies.

The electoral units and constituencies which elect deputies to local people’s congresses at various levels have the power to recall the deputies according to procedures prescribed by law.

Article 103

The standing committee of a local people’s  congress at and above the county level is composed of a chairmanvice-chairmen and membersand is responsible and reports on its work to the people’s congress at the corresponding level.

A local people’s congress at or above the county level electsand has the power to recallmembers of its standing committee. No one on the standing committee of a local people’s congress at or above the county level shall hold office in state administrativejudicial and procuratorial organs.

Article 104

The standing committee of a local people’s congress at or above the county level discusses and decides on major issues in all fields of work in its administrative area supervises the work of the people’s governmentpeople’scourt and people’s procuratorate at the corresponding level

annuls inappropriate decisions and orders of the people’s  government at the corresponding level annuls inappropriate resolutions of the people’s congress at the next lower level decides on the appointment or removal of functionaries of state organs within the limits of its authority as prescribed by law andwhen the people’scongress at the corresponding level is not in sessionrecalls individual deputies to the people’s congress at the next higher level and elects individual deputies to fill vacancies in that people’scongress.

Article 105

Local people’s governments at various levels are the executive bodies of local organs of state power as well as the local organs of state administration at the corresponding levels. Governorsmayors and heads of countiesdistrictstownships and towns assume overall responsibility for local people’s governments at various levels.

Article 106

The term of office of local people’s governments at various levels is the same as that of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels.

Article 107

Local people’s governments at and above the county levelwithin the limits of their authority as prescribed by lawconduct administrative work concerning the economyeducationscienceculturepublic healthphysical cultureurban and rural developmentfinancecivil affairspublic securitynationalities affairsjudicial administrationsupervision and family planning in their respective administrative areas

issue decisions and orders appoint or remove administrative functionariestrain themappraise their performance and reward or punish them.

People’s  governments of townshipsnationality townshipsand towns execute the resolutions of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels as well as the decisions and orders of the state administrative organs at the next higher level and conduct administrative work in their respective administrative areas. People’sgovernments of provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government decide on the establishment and geographic division of townshipsnationality townshipsand towns.

Article 108

Local people’s governments at and above the county level direct the work of their subordinate departments and of people’s governments at lower levelsand have the power to alter or annul inappropriate decisions of their subordinate departments and of the people’s governments at lower levels.

Article 109

Auditing bodies are established by local people’s governments at and above the county level. Local auditing bodies at various levels independently exercise their power of supervision through auditing in accordance with the law and are responsible to the people’s government at the corresponding level and to the auditing body at the next higher level.

Article 110

Local people’s governments at various levels are responsible and report on their work to people’s congresses at the corresponding levels. Local people’sgovernments at and above the county level are responsible and report on their work to the standing committees of the people’s congresses at the corresponding levels when the congresses are not in session. Local people’sgovernments at various levels are responsible and report on their work to the state administrative organs at the next higher level. Local people’s governments at various levels throughout the country are state administrative organs under the unified leadership of the State Council and are subordinate to it.

Article 111

The residents committees and villagers committees established among urban and rural residents on the basis of their place of residence are mass organizations of self-management at the grass-roots level. The chairmanvice-chairmen and members of each residents or villagers committee are elected by the residents. The relationship between the residents and villagers committees and the grass-roots organs of state power is prescribed by law.

The residents and villagers committees establish sub-committees for people’s mediationpublic securitypublic health and other matters in order to manage public affairs and social services in their areasmediate civil disputeshelp maintain public order and convey residents opinions and demands and make suggestions to the people’s government. Section 6 The Organs of Self-Government of National Autonomous Areas

Article 112

The organs of self-government of national autonomous areas are the people’s  congresses and people’s governments of autonomous regionsautonomous prefectures and autonomous counties.

Article 113

In the people’s congress of an autonomous regionautonomous prefecture or autonomous countyin addition to the deputies of the nationality exercising regional autonomy in the administrative areathe other nationalities inhabiting the area are also entitled to appropriate representation.

Among the chairman and vice-chairmen of the standing committee of the people’s  congress of an autonomous regionautonomous prefecture or autonomous county there shall be one or more citizens of the nationality or nationalities exercising regional autonomy in the area concerned.

Article 114

The chairman of an autonomous regionthe prefect of an autonomous prefecture or the head of an autonomous county shall be a citizen of the nationality exercising regional autonomy in the area concerned.

Article 115

The organs of self-government of autonomous regionsautonomous prefectures and autonomous counties exercise the functions and powers of local organs of state as specified in Section 5 of Chapter III of the Constitution. At the same timethey exercise the power of autonomy within the limits of their authority as prescribed by the Constitutionthe Law of the People’s Republic of China on Regional National Autonomy and other laws and implement the laws and policies of the state in the light of the existing local situation.

Article 116

The people’s congresses of national autonomous areas have the power to enact regulations on the exercise of autonomy and other separate regulations in the light of the politicaleconomic and cultural characteristics of the nationality or nationalities in the areas concerned. The regulations on the exercise of autonomy and other separate regulations of autonomous regions shall be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for approval before they go into effect. Those of autonomous prefectures and counties shall be submitted to the standing committee of the people’s congresses of provinces or autonomous regions for approval before they go into effectand they shall be reported to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress for the record.

Article 117

The organs of self-government of the national autonomous areas have the power of autonomy in administering the finances of their areas. All revenues accruing to the national autonomous areas under the financial system of the state shall be managed and used by the organs of self- government of those areas on their own.

Article 118

The organs of self-government of the national autonomous areas independently arrange for and administer local economic development under the guidance of state plans. In exploiting natural resources and building enterprises in the national autonomous areasthe state shall give due consideration to the interests of those areas.

Article 119

The organs of self-government of the national autonomous areas independently administer educationalscientificculturalpublic health and physical culture affairs in their respective areasprotect and sift through the cultural heritage of the nationalities and work for a vigorous development of their cultures.

Article 120

The organs of self-government of the national autonomous areas mayin accordance with the military system of the state and practical local needs and with the approval of the State Councilorganize local public security forces for the maintenance of public order.

Article 121

In performing their functionsthe organs of self-government of the national autonomous areasin accordance with the regulations on the exercise of autonomy in those areasemploy the spoken and written language or languages in common use in the locality.

Article 122

The state provides financialmaterial and technical assistance to the minority nationalities to accelerate their economic and cultural development.

The state helps the national autonomous areas train large numbers of cadres at various levels and specialized personnel and skilled workers of various professions and trades from among the nationality or nationalities in those areas.

Section 7 The People’s  Courts and the People’s Procuratorates

Article 123

The people’s courts of the People’s Republic of China are the judicial organs of the state.

Article 124

The People’s Republic of China establishes the Supreme People’s Court and the people’scourts at various local levelsmilitary courts and other special people’s courts. The term of office of the President of the Supreme People’sCourt is the same as that of the National People’s Congress. The President shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

The organization of the people’s courts is prescribed by law.

Article 125

Except in special circumstances as specified by lawall cases in the people’s courts are heard in public. The accused has the right to defence.

Article 126

The people’s courts exercise judicial power independentlyin accordance with the provisions of the lawand are not subject to interference by any administrative organpublic organization or individual.

Article 127

The Supreme People’s Court is the highest judicial organ.

The Supreme People’s Court supervises the administration of justice by the people’s courts at various local levels and by the special people’scourts. People’s courts at higher levels supervise the administration of justice by those at lower levels.

Article 128

The Supreme People’s  Court is responsible to the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee. Local people’s courts at various levels are responsible to the organs of state power which created them.

Article 129

The people’s  procuratorates of the People’s Republic of China are state organs for legal supervision.

Article 130

The People’s  Republic of China establishes the Supreme People’s procuratorate and the people’s procuratorates at various local levelsmilitary procuratorates and other special people’s procuratorates.

The term of office of the Procurator-General of the Supreme People’s  procuratorate is the same as that of the National People’s Congressthe Procurator-General shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

The organization of the people’s  procuratorates is prescribed by law.

Article 131

The people’s  procuratorates exercise procuratorial power independentlyin accordance with the provisions of the lawand are not subject to interference by any administrative organpublic organization or individual.

Article 132

The Supreme People’s  procuratorate is the highest procuratorial organ. The Supreme People’s Procuratorate directs the work of the people’s procuratorates at various local levels and of the special people’s procuratorates. People’s procuratorates at higher levels direct the work of those at lower levels.

Article 133

The Supreme People’s  procuratorate is responsible to the National People’s Congress and its Standing Committee. People’s procuratorates at various local levels are responsible to the organs of state power which created them and to the people’s procuratorates at higher levels.

Article 134

Citizens of all China’s nationalities have the right to use their native spoken and written languages in court proceedings. The people’s courts and people’s procuratorates should provide translation for any party to the court proceedings who is not familiar with the spoken or written languages commonly used in the locality.

In an area where people of a minority nationality live in a concentrated community or where a number of nationalities live togethercourt hearings should be conducted in the language or languages commonly used in the locality indictmentsjudgmentsnotices and other documents should be writtenaccording to actual needsin the language or languages commonly used in the locality.

Article 135

The people’s courtsthe people’s procuratorates and the public security organs shallin handling criminal casesdivide their functionseach taking responsibility for its own workand they shall coordinate their efforts and check each other to ensure the correct and effective enforcement of the law.

Chapter IV The National Flagthe National Emblem and the Capital

Article 136

The national flag of the People’s Republic of China is a red flag with five stars.

Article 137

The national emblem of the People’s Republic of China consists of an image of Tian’anmen in its centre illuminated by five stars and encircled by ears of grain and a cogwheel.

Article 138

The capital of the People’s Republic of China is Beijing.