中华人民共和国宪法

（1982年12月4日第五届全国人民代表大会第五次会议通过　1982年12月4日全国人民代表大会公告公布施行　根据1988年4月12日第七届全国人民代表大会第一次会议通过的《中华人民共和国宪法修正案》、1993年3月29日第八届全国人民代表大会第一次会议通过的《中华人民共和国宪法修正案》、1999年3月15日第九届全国人民代表大会第二次会议通过的《中华人民共和国宪法修正案》和2004年3月14日第十届全国人民代表大会第二次会议通过的《中华人民共和国宪法修正案》修正）

序言
第一章　总纲
第二章　公民的基本权利和义务
第三章　国家机构
　　第一节　全国人民代表大会
　　第二节　中华人民共和国主席
　　第三节　国务院
　　第四节　中央军事委员会
　　第五节　地方各级人民代表大会和地方各级人民政府
　　第六节　民族自治地方的自治机关
　　第七节　人民法院和人民检察院
第四章　国旗、国歌、国徽、首都

序言

　　中国是世界上历史最悠久的国家之一。中国各族人民共同创造了光辉灿烂的文化，具有光荣的革命传统。
　　一八四０年以后，封建的中国逐渐变成半殖民地、半封建的国家。中国人民为国家独立、民族解放和民主自由进行了前仆后继的英勇奋斗。
　　二十世纪，中国发生了翻天覆地的伟大历史变革。
　　一九一一年孙中山先生领导的辛亥革命，废除了封建帝制，创立了中华民国。但是，中国人民反对帝国主义和封建主义的历史任务还没有完成。
　　一九四九年，以毛泽东主席为领袖的中国共产党领导中国各族人民，在经历了长期的艰难曲折的武装斗争和其他形式的斗争以后，终于推翻了帝国主义、封建主义和官僚资本主义的统治，取得了新民主主义革命的伟大胜利，建立了中华人民共和国。从此，中国人民掌握了国家的权力，成为国家的主人。
　　中华人民共和国成立以后，我国社会逐步实现了由新民主主义到社会主义的过渡。生产资料私有制的社会主义改造已经完成，人剥削人的制度已经消灭，社会主义制度已经确立。工人阶级领导的、以工农联盟为基础的人民民主专政，实质上即无产阶级专政，得到巩固和发展。中国人民和中国人民解放军战胜了帝国主义、霸权主义的侵略、破坏和武装挑衅，维护了国家的独立和安全，增强了国防。经济建设取得了重大的成就，独立的、比较完整的社会主义工业体系已经基本形成，农业生产显著提高。教育、科学、文化等事业有了很大的发展，社会主义思想教育取得了明显的成效。广大人民的生活有了较大的改善。
　　中国新民主主义革命的胜利和社会主义事业的成就，是中国共产党领导中国各族人民，在马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想的指引下，坚持真理，修正错误，战胜许多艰难险阻而取得的。我国将长期处于社会主义初级阶段。国家的根本任务是，沿着中国特色社会主义道路，集中力量进行社会主义现代化建设。中国各族人民将继续在中国共产党领导下，在马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想指引下，坚持人民民主专政，坚持社会主义道路，坚持改革开放，不断完善社会主义的各项制度，发展社会主义市场经济，发展社会主义民主，健全社会主义法制，自力更生，艰苦奋斗，逐步实现工业、农业、国防和科学技术的现代化，推动物质文明、政治文明和精神文明协调发展，把我国建设成为富强、民主、文明的社会主义国家。
　　在我国，剥削阶级作为阶级已经消灭，但是阶级斗争还将在一定范围内长期存在。中国人民对敌视和破坏我国社会主义制度的国内外的敌对势力和敌对分子，必须进行斗争。
　　台湾是中华人民共和国的神圣领土的一部分。完成统一祖国的大业是包括台湾同胞在内的全中国人民的神圣职责。
　　社会主义的建设事业必须依靠工人、农民和知识分子，团结一切可以团结的力量。在长期的革命和建设过程中，已经结成由中国共产党领导的，有各民主党派和各人民团体参加的，包括全体社会主义劳动者、社会主义事业的建设者、拥护社会主义的爱国者和拥护祖国统一的爱国者的广泛的爱国统一战线，这个统一战线将继续巩固和发展。中国人民政治协商会议是有广泛代表性的统一战线组织，过去发挥了重要的历史作用，今后在国家政治生活、社会生活和对外友好活动中，在进行社会主义现代化建设、维护国家的统一和团结的斗争中，将进一步发挥它的重要作用。中国共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度将长期存在和发展。
　　中华人民共和国是全国各族人民共同缔造的统一的多民族国家。平等、团结、互助的社会主义民族关系已经确立，并将继续加强。在维护民族团结的斗争中，要反对大民族主义，主要是大汉族主义，也要反对地方民族主义。国家尽一切努力，促进全国各民族的共同繁荣。
　　中国革命和建设的成就是同世界人民的支持分不开的。中国的前途是同世界的前途紧密地联系在一起的。中国坚持独立自主的对外政策，坚持互相尊重主权和领土完整、互不侵犯、互不干涉内政、平等互利、和平共处的五项原则，发展同各国的外交关系和经济、文化的交流；坚持反对帝国主义、霸权主义、殖民主义，加强同世界各国人民的团结，支持被压迫民族和发展中国家争取和维护民族独立、发展民族经济的正义斗争，为维护世界和平和促进人类进步事业而努力。
　　本宪法以法律的形式确认了中国各族人民奋斗的成果，规定了国家的根本制度和根本任务，是国家的根本法，具有最高的法律效力。全国各族人民、一切国家机关和武装力量、各政党和各社会团体、各企业事业组织，都必须以宪法为根本的活动准则，并且负有维护宪法尊严、保证宪法实施的职责。

第一章　总纲

　　第一条　中华人民共和国是工人阶级领导的、以工农联盟为基础的人民民主专政的社会主义国家。
　　社会主义制度是中华人民共和国的根本制度。禁止任何组织或者个人破坏社会主义制度。

　　第二条　中华人民共和国的一切权力属于人民。
　　人民行使国家权力的机关是全国人民代表大会和地方各级人民代表大会。
　　人民依照法律规定，通过各种途径和形式，管理国家事务，管理经济和文化事业，管理社会事务。

　　第三条　中华人民共和国的国家机构实行民主集中制的原则。
　　全国人民代表大会和地方各级人民代表大会都由民主选举产生，对人民负责，受人民监督。
　　国家行政机关、审判机关、检察机关都由人民代表大会产生，对它负责，受它监督。
　　中央和地方的国家机构职权的划分，遵循在中央的统一领导下，充分发挥地方的主动性、积极性的原则。

　　第四条　中华人民共和国各民族一律平等。国家保障各少数民族的合法的权利和利益，维护和发展各民族的平等、团结、互助关系。禁止对任何民族的歧视和压迫，禁止破坏民族团结和制造民族分裂的行为。
　　国家根据各少数民族的特点和需要，帮助各少数民族地区加速经济和文化的发展。
　　各少数民族聚居的地方实行区域自治，设立自治机关，行使自治权。各民族自治地方都是中华人民共和国不可分离的部分。
　　各民族都有使用和发展自己的语言文字的自由，都有保持或者改革自己的风俗习惯的自由。

　　第五条　中华人民共和国实行依法治国，建设社会主义法治国家。
　　国家维护社会主义法制的统一和尊严。
　　一切法律、行政法规和地方性法规都不得同宪法相抵触。
　　一切国家机关和武装力量、各政党和各社会团体、各企业事业组织都必须遵守宪法和法律。一切违反宪法和法律的行为，必须予以追究。
　　任何组织或者个人都不得有超越宪法和法律的特权。

　　第六条　中华人民共和国的社会主义经济制度的基础是生产资料的社会主义公有制，即全民所有制和劳动群众集体所有制。社会主义公有制消灭人剥削人的制度，实行各尽所能、按劳分配的原则。
　　国家在社会主义初级阶段，坚持公有制为主体、多种所有制经济共同发展的基本经济制度，坚持按劳分配为主体、多种分配方式并存的分配制度。

　　第七条　国有经济，即社会主义全民所有制经济，是国民经济中的主导力量。国家保障国有经济的巩固和发展。

　　第八条　农村集体经济组织实行家庭承包经营为基础、统分结合的双层经营体制。农村中的生产、供销、信用、消费等各种形式的合作经济，是社会主义劳动群众集体所有制经济。参加农村集体经济组织的劳动者，有权在法律规定的范围内经营自留地、自留山、家庭副业和饲养自留畜。
　　城镇中的手工业、工业、建筑业、运输业、商业、服务业等行业的各种形式的合作经济，都是社会主义劳动群众集体所有制经济。
　　国家保护城乡集体经济组织的合法的权利和利益，鼓励、指导和帮助集体经济的发展。

　　第九条　矿藏、水流、森林、山岭、草原、荒地、滩涂等自然资源，都属于国家所有，即全民所有；由法律规定属于集体所有的森林和山岭、草原、荒地、滩涂除外。
　　国家保障自然资源的合理利用，保护珍贵的动物和植物。禁止任何组织或者个人用任何手段侵占或者破坏自然资源。

　　第十条　城市的土地属于国家所有。
　　农村和城市郊区的土地，除由法律规定属于国家所有的以外，属于集体所有；宅基地和自留地、自留山，也属于集体所有。
　　国家为了公共利益的需要，可以依照法律规定对土地实行征收或者征用并给予补偿。
　　任何组织或者个人不得侵占、买卖或者以其他形式非法转让土地。土地的使用权可以依照法律的规定转让。
　　一切使用土地的组织和个人必须合理地利用土地。

　　第十一条　在法律规定范围内的个体经济、私营经济等非公有制经济，是社会主义市场经济的重要组成部分。
　　国家保护个体经济、私营经济等非公有制经济的合法的权利和利益。国家鼓励、支持和引导非公有制经济的发展，并对非公有制经济依法实行监督和管理。

　　第十二条　社会主义的公共财产神圣不可侵犯。
　　国家保护社会主义的公共财产。禁止任何组织或者个人用任何手段侵占或者破坏国家的和集体的财产。

　　第十三条　公民的合法的私有财产不受侵犯。
　　国家依照法律规定保护公民的私有财产权和继承权。
　　国家为了公共利益的需要，可以依照法律规定对公民的私有财产实行征收或者征用并给予补偿。

　　第十四条　国家通过提高劳动者的积极性和技术水平，推广先进的科学技术，完善经济管理体制和企业经营管理制度，实行各种形式的社会主义责任制，改进劳动组织，以不断提高劳动生产率和经济效益，发展社会生产力。
　　国家厉行节约，反对浪费。
　　国家合理安排积累和消费，兼顾国家、集体和个人的利益，在发展生产的基础上，逐步改善人民的物质生活和文化生活。
　　国家建立健全同经济发展水平相适应的社会保障制度。

　　第十五条　国家实行社会主义市场经济。
　　国家加强经济立法，完善宏观调控。
　　国家依法禁止任何组织或者个人扰乱社会经济秩序。

　　第十六条　国有企业在法律规定的范围内有权自主经营。
　　国有企业依照法律规定，通过职工代表大会和其他形式，实行民主管理。

　　第十七条　集体经济组织在遵守有关法律的前提下，有独立进行经济活动的自主权。
　　集体经济组织实行民主管理，依照法律规定选举和罢免管理人员，决定经营管理的重大问题。

　　第十八条　中华人民共和国允许外国的企业和其他经济组织或者个人依照中华人民共和国法律的规定在中国投资，同中国的企业或者其他经济组织进行各种形式的经济合作。
　　在中国境内的外国企业和其他外国经济组织以及中外合资经营的企业，都必须遵守中华人民共和国的法律。它们的合法的权利和利益受中华人民共和国法律的保护。

　　第十九条　国家发展社会主义的教育事业，提高全国人民的科学文化水平。
　　国家举办各种学校，普及初等义务教育，发展中等教育、职业教育和高等教育，并且发展学前教育。
　　国家发展各种教育设施，扫除文盲，对工人、农民、国家工作人员和其他劳动者进行政治、文化、科学、技术、业务的教育，鼓励自学成才。
　　国家鼓励集体经济组织、国家企业事业组织和其他社会力量依照法律规定举办各种教育事业。
　　国家推广全国通用的普通话。

　　第二十条　国家发展自然科学和社会科学事业，普及科学和技术知识，奖励科学研究成果和技术发明创造。

　　第二十一条　国家发展医疗卫生事业，发展现代医药和我国传统医药，鼓励和支持农村集体经济组织、国家企业事业组织和街道组织举办各种医疗卫生设施，开展群众性的卫生活动，保护人民健康。
　　国家发展体育事业，开展群众性的体育活动，增强人民体质。

　　第二十二条　国家发展为人民服务、为社会主义服务的文学艺术事业、新闻广播电视事业、出版发行事业、图书馆博物馆文化馆和其他文化事业，开展群众性的文化活动。
　　国家保护名胜古迹、珍贵文物和其他重要历史文化遗产。

　　第二十三条　国家培养为社会主义服务的各种专业人才，扩大知识分子的队伍，创造条件，充分发挥他们在社会主义现代化建设中的作用。

　　第二十四条　国家通过普及理想教育、道德教育、文化教育、纪律和法制教育，通过在城乡不同范围的群众中制定和执行各种守则、公约，加强社会主义精神文明的建设。
　　国家提倡爱祖国、爱人民、爱劳动、爱科学、爱社会主义的公德，在人民中进行爱国主义、集体主义和国际主义、共产主义的教育，进行辩证唯物主义和历史唯物主义的教育，反对资本主义的、封建主义的和其他的腐朽思想。

　　第二十五条　国家推行计划生育，使人口的增长同经济和社会发展计划相适应。

　　第二十六条　国家保护和改善生活环境和生态环境，防治污染和其他公害。
　　国家组织和鼓励植树造林，保护林木。

　　第二十七条　一切国家机关实行精简的原则，实行工作责任制，实行工作人员的培训和考核制度，不断提高工作质量和工作效率，反对官僚主义。
　　一切国家机关和国家工作人员必须依靠人民的支持，经常保持同人民的密切联系，倾听人民的意见和建议，接受人民的监督，努力为人民服务。

　　第二十八条　国家维护社会秩序，镇压叛国和其他危害国家安全的犯罪活动，制裁危害社会治安、破坏社会主义经济和其他犯罪的活动，惩办和改造犯罪分子。

　　第二十九条　中华人民共和国的武装力量属于人民。它的任务是巩固国防，抵抗侵略，保卫祖国，保卫人民的和平劳动，参加国家建设事业，努力为人民服务。
　　国家加强武装力量的革命化、现代化、正规化的建设，增强国防力量。

　　第三十条　中华人民共和国的行政区域划分如下：
　　（一）全国分为省、自治区、直辖市；
　　（二）省、自治区分为自治州、县、自治县、市；
　　（三）县、自治县分为乡、民族乡、镇。
　　直辖市和较大的市分为区、县。自治州分为县、自治县、市。
　　自治区、自治州、自治县都是民族自治地方。

　　第三十一条　国家在必要时得设立特别行政区。在特别行政区内实行的制度按照具体情况由全国人民代表大会以法律规定。

　　第三十二条　中华人民共和国保护在中国境内的外国人的合法权利和利益，在中国境内的外国人必须遵守中华人民共和国的法律。
　　中华人民共和国对于因为政治原因要求避难的外国人，可以给予受庇护的权利。

第二章　公民的基本权利和义务

　　第三十三条　凡具有中华人民共和国国籍的人都是中华人民共和国公民。
　　中华人民共和国公民在法律面前一律平等。
　　国家尊重和保障人权。
　　任何公民享有宪法和法律规定的权利，同时必须履行宪法和法律规定的义务。

　　第三十四条　中华人民共和国年满十八周岁的公民，不分民族、种族、性别、职业、家庭出身、宗教信仰、教育程度、财产状况、居住期限，都有选举权和被选举权；但是依照法律被剥夺政治权利的人除外。

　　第三十五条　中华人民共和国公民有言论、出版、集会、结社、游行、示威的自由。

　　第三十六条　中华人民共和国公民有宗教信仰自由。
　　任何国家机关、社会团体和个人不得强制公民信仰宗教或者不信仰宗教，不得歧视信仰宗教的公民和不信仰宗教的公民。
　　国家保护正常的宗教活动。任何人不得利用宗教进行破坏社会秩序、损害公民身体健康、妨碍国家教育制度的活动。
　　宗教团体和宗教事务不受外国势力的支配。

　　第三十七条　中华人民共和国公民的人身自由不受侵犯。
　　任何公民，非经人民检察院批准或者决定或者人民法院决定，并由公安机关执行，不受逮捕。
　　禁止非法拘禁和以其他方法非法剥夺或者限制公民的人身自由，禁止非法搜查公民的身体。

　　第三十八条　中华人民共和国公民的人格尊严不受侵犯。禁止用任何方法对公民进行侮辱、诽谤和诬告陷害。

　　第三十九条　中华人民共和国公民的住宅不受侵犯。禁止非法搜查或者非法侵入公民的住宅。

　　第四十条　中华人民共和国公民的通信自由和通信秘密受法律的保护。除因国家安全或者追查刑事犯罪的需要，由公安机关或者检察机关依照法律规定的程序对通信进行检查外，任何组织或者个人不得以任何理由侵犯公民的通信自由和通信秘密。

　　第四十一条　中华人民共和国公民对于任何国家机关和国家工作人员，有提出批评和建议的权利；对于任何国家机关和国家工作人员的违法失职行为，有向有关国家机关提出申诉、控告或者检举的权利，但是不得捏造或者歪曲事实进行诬告陷害。
　　对于公民的申诉、控告或者检举，有关国家机关必须查清事实，负责处理。任何人不得压制和打击报复。
　　由于国家机关和国家工作人员侵犯公民权利而受到损失的人，有依照法律规定取得赔偿的权利。

　　第四十二条　中华人民共和国公民有劳动的权利和义务。
　　国家通过各种途径，创造劳动就业条件，加强劳动保护，改善劳动条件，并在发展生产的基础上，提高劳动报酬和福利待遇。
　　劳动是一切有劳动能力的公民的光荣职责。国有企业和城乡集体经济组织的劳动者都应当以国家主人翁的态度对待自己的劳动。国家提倡社会主义劳动竞赛，奖励劳动模范和先进工作者。国家提倡公民从事义务劳动。
　　国家对就业前的公民进行必要的劳动就业训练。

　　第四十三条　中华人民共和国劳动者有休息的权利。
　　国家发展劳动者休息和休养的设施，规定职工的工作时间和休假制度。

　　第四十四条　国家依照法律规定实行企业事业组织的职工和国家机关工作人员的退休制度。退休人员的生活受到国家和社会的保障。

　　第四十五条　中华人民共和国公民在年老、疾病或者丧失劳动能力的情况下，有从国家和社会获得物质帮助的权利。国家发展为公民享受这些权利所需要的社会保险、社会救济和医疗卫生事业。
　　国家和社会保障残废军人的生活，抚恤烈士家属，优待军人家属。
　　国家和社会帮助安排盲、聋、哑和其他有残疾的公民的劳动、生活和教育。

　　第四十六条　中华人民共和国公民有受教育的权利和义务。
　　国家培养青年、少年、儿童在品德、智力、体质等方面全面发展。

　　第四十七条　中华人民共和国公民有进行科学研究、文学艺术创作和其他文化活动的自由。国家对于从事教育、科学、技术、文学、艺术和其他文化事业的公民的有益于人民的创造性工作，给以鼓励和帮助。

　　第四十八条　中华人民共和国妇女在政治的、经济的、文化的、社会的和家庭的生活等各方面享有同男子平等的权利。
　　国家保护妇女的权利和利益，实行男女同工同酬，培养和选拔妇女干部。

　　第四十九条　婚姻、家庭、母亲和儿童受国家的保护。
　　夫妻双方有实行计划生育的义务。
　　父母有抚养教育未成年子女的义务，成年子女有赡养扶助父母的义务。
　　禁止破坏婚姻自由，禁止虐待老人、妇女和儿童。

　　第五十条　中华人民共和国保护华侨的正当的权利和利益，保护归侨和侨眷的合法的权利和利益。

　　第五十一条　中华人民共和国公民在行使自由和权利的时候，不得损害国家的、社会的、集体的利益和其他公民的合法的自由和权利。

　　第五十二条　中华人民共和国公民有维护国家统一和全国各民族团结的义务。

　　第五十三条　中华人民共和国公民必须遵守宪法和法律，保守国家秘密，爱护公共财产，遵守劳动纪律，遵守公共秩序，尊重社会公德。

　　第五十四条　中华人民共和国公民有维护祖国的安全、荣誉和利益的义务，不得有危害祖国的安全、荣誉和利益的行为。

　　第五十五条　保卫祖国、抵抗侵略是中华人民共和国每一个公民的神圣职责。
　　依照法律服兵役和参加民兵组织是中华人民共和国公民的光荣义务。

　　第五十六条　中华人民共和国公民有依照法律纳税的义务。

第三章　国家机构

第一节　全国人民代表大会

　　第五十七条　中华人民共和国全国人民代表大会是最高国家权力机关。它的常设机关是全国人民代表大会常务委员会。

　　第五十八条　全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会行使国家立法权。

　　第五十九条　全国人民代表大会由省、自治区、直辖市、特别行政区和军队选出的代表组成。各少数民族都应当有适当名额的代表。
　　全国人民代表大会代表的选举由全国人民代表大会常务委员会主持。
　　全国人民代表大会代表名额和代表产生办法由法律规定。

　　第六十条　全国人民代表大会每届任期五年。
　　全国人民代表大会任期届满的两个月以前，全国人民代表大会常务委员会必须完成下届全国人民代表大会代表的选举。如果遇到不能进行选举的非常情况，由全国人民代表大会常务委员会以全体组成人员的三分之二以上的多数通过，可以推迟选举，延长本届全国人民代表大会的任期。在非常情况结束后一年内，必须完成下届全国人民代表大会代表的选举。

　　第六十一条　全国人民代表大会会议每年举行一次，由全国人民代表大会常务委员会召集。如果全国人民代表大会常务委员会认为必要，或者有五分之一以上的全国人民代表大会代表提议，可以临时召集全国人民代表大会会议。
　　全国人民代表大会举行会议的时候，选举主席团主持会议。

　　第六十二条　全国人民代表大会行使下列职权：
　　（一）修改宪法；
　　（二）监督宪法的实施；
　　（三）制定和修改刑事、民事、国家机构的和其他的基本法律；
　　（四）选举中华人民共和国主席、副主席；
　　（五）根据中华人民共和国主席的提名，决定国务院总理的人选；根据国务院总理的提名，决定国务院副总理、国务委员、各部部长、各委员会主任、审计长、秘书长的人选；
　　（六）选举中央军事委员会主席；根据中央军事委员会主席的提名，决定中央军事委员会其他组成人员的人选；
　　（七）选举最高人民法院院长；
　　（八）选举最高人民检察院检察长；
　　（九）审查和批准国民经济和社会发展计划和计划执行情况的报告；
　　（十）审查和批准国家的预算和预算执行情况的报告；
　　（十一）改变或者撤销全国人民代表大会常务委员会不适当的决定；
　　（十二）批准省、自治区和直辖市的建置；
　　（十三）决定特别行政区的设立及其制度；
　　（十四）决定战争和和平的问题；
　　（十五）应当由最高国家权力机关行使的其他职权。

　　第六十三条　全国人民代表大会有权罢免下列人员：
　　（一）中华人民共和国主席、副主席；
　　（二）国务院总理、副总理、国务委员、各部部长、各委员会主任、审计长、秘书长；
　　（三）中央军事委员会主席和中央军事委员会其他组成人员；
　　（四）最高人民法院院长；
　　（五）最高人民检察院检察长。

　　第六十四条　宪法的修改，由全国人民代表大会常务委员会或者五分之一以上的全国人民代表大会代表提议，并由全国人民代表大会以全体代表的三分之二以上的多数通过。
　　法律和其他议案由全国人民代表大会以全体代表的过半数通过。

　　第六十五条　全国人民代表大会常务委员会由下列人员组成：
　　委员长，
　　副委员长若干人，
　　秘书长，
　　委员若干人。
　　全国人民代表大会常务委员会组成人员中，应当有适当名额的少数民族代表。
　　全国人民代表大会选举并有权罢免全国人民代表大会常务委员会的组成人员。
　　全国人民代表大会常务委员会的组成人员不得担任国家行政机关、审判机关和检察机关的职务。

　　第六十六条　全国人民代表大会常务委员会每届任期同全国人民代表大会每届任期相同，它行使职权到下届全国人民代表大会选出新的常务委员会为止。
　　委员长、副委员长连续任职不得超过两届。

　　第六十七条　全国人民代表大会常务委员会行使下列职权：
　　（一）解释宪法，监督宪法的实施；
　　（二）制定和修改除应当由全国人民代表大会制定的法律以外的其他法律；
　　（三）在全国人民代表大会闭会期间，对全国人民代表大会制定的法律进行部分补充和修改，但是不得同该法律的基本原则相抵触；
　　（四）解释法律；
　　（五）在全国人民代表大会闭会期间，审查和批准国民经济和社会发展计划、国家预算在执行过程中所必须作的部分调整方案；
　　（六）监督国务院、中央军事委员会、最高人民法院和最高人民检察院的工作；
　　（七）撤销国务院制定的同宪法、法律相抵触的行政法规、决定和命令；
　　（八）撤销省、自治区、直辖市国家权力机关制定的同宪法、法律和行政法规相抵触的地方性法规和决议；
　　（九）在全国人民代表大会闭会期间，根据国务院总理的提名，决定部长、委员会主任、审计长、秘书长的人选；
　　（十）在全国人民代表大会闭会期间，根据中央军事委员会主席的提名，决定中央军事委员会其他组成人员的人选；
　　（十一）根据最高人民法院院长的提请，任免最高人民法院副院长、审判员、审判委员会委员和军事法院院长；
　　（十二）根据最高人民检察院检察长的提请，任免最高人民检察院副检察长、检察员、检察委员会委员和军事检察院检察长，并且批准省、自治区、直辖市的人民检察院检察长的任免；
　　（十三）决定驻外全权代表的任免；
　　（十四）决定同外国缔结的条约和重要协定的批准和废除；
　　（十五）规定军人和外交人员的衔级制度和其他专门衔级制度；
　　（十六）规定和决定授予国家的勋章和荣誉称号；
　　（十七）决定特赦；
　　（十八）在全国人民代表大会闭会期间，如果遇到国家遭受武装侵犯或者必须履行国际间共同防止侵略的条约的情况，决定战争状态的宣布；
　　（十九）决定全国总动员或者局部动员；
　　（二十）决定全国或者个别省、自治区、直辖市进入紧急状态；
　　（二十一）全国人民代表大会授予的其他职权。

　　第六十八条　全国人民代表大会常务委员会委员长主持全国人民代表大会常务委员会的工作，召集全国人民代表大会常务委员会会议。副委员长、秘书长协助委员长工作。
　　委员长、副委员长、秘书长组成委员长会议，处理全国人民代表大会常务委员会的重要日常工作。

　　第六十九条　全国人民代表大会常务委员会对全国人民代表大会负责并报告工作。

　　第七十条　全国人民代表大会设立民族委员会、法律委员会、财政经济委员会、教育科学文化卫生委员会、外事委员会、华侨委员会和其他需要设立的专门委员会。在全国人民代表大会闭会期间，各专门委员会受全国人民代表大会常务委员会的领导。
　　各专门委员会在全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会领导下，研究、审议和拟订有关议案。

　　第七十一条　全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会认为必要的时候，可以组织关于特定问题的调查委员会，并且根据调查委员会的报告，作出相应的决议。
　　调查委员会进行调查的时候，一切有关的国家机关、社会团体和公民都有义务向它提供必要的材料。

　　第七十二条　全国人民代表大会代表和全国人民代表大会常务委员会组成人员，有权依照法律规定的程序分别提出属于全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会职权范围内的议案。

　　第七十三条　全国人民代表大会代表在全国人民代表大会开会期间，全国人民代表大会常务委员会组成人员在常务委员会开会期间，有权依照法律规定的程序提出对国务院或者国务院各部、各委员会的质询案。受质询的机关必须负责答复。

　　第七十四条　全国人民代表大会代表，非经全国人民代表大会会议主席团许可，在全国人民代表大会闭会期间非经全国人民代表大会常务委员会许可，不受逮捕或者刑事审判。

　　第七十五条　全国人民代表大会代表在全国人民代表大会各种会议上的发言和表决，不受法律追究。

　　第七十六条　全国人民代表大会代表必须模范地遵守宪法和法律，保守国家秘密，并且在自己参加的生产、工作和社会活动中，协助宪法和法律的实施。
　　全国人民代表大会代表应当同原选举单位和人民保持密切的联系，听取和反映人民的意见和要求，努力为人民服务。

　　第七十七条　全国人民代表大会代表受原选举单位的监督。原选举单位有权依照法律规定的程序罢免本单位选出的代表。

　　第七十八条　全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会的组织和工作程序由法律规定。

第二节　中华人民共和国主席

　　第七十九条　中华人民共和国主席、副主席由全国人民代表大会选举。
　　有选举权和被选举权的年满四十五周岁的中华人民共和国公民可以被选为中华人民共和国主席、副主席。
　　中华人民共和国主席、副主席每届任期同全国人民代表大会每届任期相同，连续任职不得超过两届。

　　第八十条　中华人民共和国主席根据全国人民代表大会的决定和全国人民代表大会常务委员会的决定，公布法律，任免国务院总理、副总理、国务委员、各部部长、各委员会主任、审计长、秘书长，授予国家的勋章和荣誉称号，发布特赦令，宣布进入紧急状态，宣布战争状态，发布动员令。

　　第八十一条　中华人民共和国主席代表中华人民共和国，进行国事活动，接受外国使节；根据全国人民代表大会常务委员会的决定，派遣和召回驻外全权代表，批准和废除同外国缔结的条约和重要协定。

　　第八十二条　中华人民共和国副主席协助主席工作。
　　中华人民共和国副主席受主席的委托，可以代行主席的部分职权。

　　第八十三条　中华人民共和国主席、副主席行使职权到下届全国人民代表大会选出的主席、副主席就职为止。

　　第八十四条　中华人民共和国主席缺位的时候，由副主席继任主席的职位。
　　中华人民共和国副主席缺位的时候，由全国人民代表大会补选。
　　中华人民共和国主席、副主席都缺位的时候，由全国人民代表大会补选；在补选以前，由全国人民代表大会常务委员会委员长暂时代理主席职位。

第三节　国务院

　　第八十五条　中华人民共和国国务院，即中央人民政府，是最高国家权力机关的执行机关，是最高国家行政机关。

　　第八十六条　国务院由下列人员组成：
　　总理，
　　副总理若干人，
　　国务委员若干人，
　　各部部长，
　　各委员会主任，
　　审计长，
　　秘书长。
　　国务院实行总理负责制。各部、各委员会实行部长、主任负责制。
　　国务院的组织由法律规定。

　　第八十七条　国务院每届任期同全国人民代表大会每届任期相同。
　　总理、副总理、国务委员连续任职不得超过两届。

　　第八十八条　总理领导国务院的工作。副总理、国务委员协助总理工作。
　　总理、副总理、国务委员、秘书长组成国务院常务会议。
　　总理召集和主持国务院常务会议和国务院全体会议。

　　第八十九条　国务院行使下列职权：
　　（一）根据宪法和法律，规定行政措施，制定行政法规，发布决定和命令；
　　（二）向全国人民代表大会或者全国人民代表大会常务委员会提出议案；
　　（三）规定各部和各委员会的任务和职责，统一领导各部和各委员会的工作，并且领导不属于各部和各委员会的全国性的行政工作；
　　（四）统一领导全国地方各级国家行政机关的工作，规定中央和省、自治区、直辖市的国家行政机关的职权的具体划分；
　　（五）编制和执行国民经济和社会发展计划和国家预算；
　　（六）领导和管理经济工作和城乡建设；
　　（七）领导和管理教育、科学、文化、卫生、体育和计划生育工作；
　　（八）领导和管理民政、公安、司法行政和监察等工作；
　　（九）管理对外事务，同外国缔结条约和协定；
　　（十）领导和管理国防建设事业；
　　（十一）领导和管理民族事务，保障少数民族的平等权利和民族自治地方的自治权利；
　　（十二）保护华侨的正当的权利和利益，保护归侨和侨眷的合法的权利和利益；
　　（十三）改变或者撤销各部、各委员会发布的不适当的命令、指示和规章；
　　（十四）改变或者撤销地方各级国家行政机关的不适当的决定和命令；
　　（十五）批准省、自治区、直辖市的区域划分，批准自治州、县、自治县、市的建置和区域划分；
　　（十六）依照法律规定决定省、自治区、直辖市的范围内部分地区进入紧急状态；
　　（十七）审定行政机构的编制，依照法律规定任免、培训、考核和奖惩行政人员；
　　（十八）全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会授予的其他职权。

　　第九十条　国务院各部部长、各委员会主任负责本部门的工作；召集和主持部务会议或者委员会会议、委务会议，讨论决定本部门工作的重大问题。
　　各部、各委员会根据法律和国务院的行政法规、决定、命令，在本部门的权限内，发布命令、指示和规章。

　　第九十一条　国务院设立审计机关，对国务院各部门和地方各级政府的财政收支，对国家的财政金融机构和企业事业组织的财务收支，进行审计监督。
　　审计机关在国务院总理领导下，依照法律规定独立行使审计监督权，不受其他行政机关、社会团体和个人的干涉。

　　第九十二条　国务院对全国人民代表大会负责并报告工作；在全国人民代表大会闭会期间，对全国人民代表大会常务委员会负责并报告工作。

第四节　中央军事委员会

　　第九十三条　中华人民共和国中央军事委员会领导全国武装力量。
　　中央军事委员会由下列人员组成：
　　主席，
　　副主席若干人，
　　委员若干人。
　　中央军事委员会实行主席负责制。
　　中央军事委员会每届任期同全国人民代表大会每届任期相同。

　　第九十四条　中央军事委员会主席对全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会负责。

第五节　地方各级人民代表大会和地方各级人民政府

　　第九十五条　省、直辖市、县、市、市辖区、乡、民族乡、镇设立人民代表大会和人民政府。
　　地方各级人民代表大会和地方各级人民政府的组织由法律规定。
　　自治区、自治州、自治县设立自治机关。自治机关的组织和工作根据宪法第三章第五节、第六节规定的基本原则由法律规定。

　　第九十六条　地方各级人民代表大会是地方国家权力机关。
　　县级以上的地方各级人民代表大会设立常务委员会。

　　第九十七条　省、直辖市、设区的市的人民代表大会代表由下一级的人民代表大会选举；县、不设区的市、市辖区、乡、民族乡、镇的人民代表大会代表由选民直接选举。
　　地方各级人民代表大会代表名额和代表产生办法由法律规定。

　　第九十八条　地方各级人民代表大会每届任期五年。

　　第九十九条　地方各级人民代表大会在本行政区域内，保证宪法、法律、行政法规的遵守和执行；依照法律规定的权限，通过和发布决议，审查和决定地方的经济建设、文化建设和公共事业建设的计划。
　　县级以上的地方各级人民代表大会审查和批准本行政区域内的国民经济和社会发展计划、预算以及它们的执行情况的报告；有权改变或者撤销本级人民代表大会常务委员会不适当的决定。
　　民族乡的人民代表大会可以依照法律规定的权限采取适合民族特点的具体措施。

　　第一百条　省、直辖市的人民代表大会和它们的常务委员会，在不同宪法、法律、行政法规相抵触的前提下，可以制定地方性法规，报全国人民代表大会常务委员会备案。

　　第一百零一条　地方各级人民代表大会分别选举并且有权罢免本级人民政府的省长和副省长、市长和副市长、县长和副县长、区长和副区长、乡长和副乡长、镇长和副镇长。
　　县级以上的地方各级人民代表大会选举并且有权罢免本级人民法院院长和本级人民检察院检察长。选出或者罢免人民检察院检察长，须报上级人民检察院检察长提请该级人民代表大会常务委员会批准。

　　第一百零二条　省、直辖市、设区的市的人民代表大会代表受原选举单位的监督；县、不设区的市、市辖区、乡、民族乡、镇的人民代表大会代表受选民的监督。
　　地方各级人民代表大会代表的选举单位和选民有权依照法律规定的程序罢免由他们选出的代表。

　　第一百零三条　县级以上的地方各级人民代表大会常务委员会由主任、副主任若干人和委员若干人组成，对本级人民代表大会负责并报告工作。
　　县级以上的地方各级人民代表大会选举并有权罢免本级人民代表大会常务委员会的组成人员。
　　县级以上的地方各级人民代表大会常务委员会的组成人员不得担任国家行政机关、审判机关和检察机关的职务。

　　第一百零四条　县级以上的地方各级人民代表大会常务委员会讨论、决定本行政区域内各方面工作的重大事项；监督本级人民政府、人民法院和人民检察院的工作；撤销本级人民政府的不适当的决定和命令；撤销下一级人民代表大会的不适当的决议；依照法律规定的权限决定国家机关工作人员的任免；在本级人民代表大会闭会期间，罢免和补选上一级人民代表大会的个别代表。

　　第一百零五条　地方各级人民政府是地方各级国家权力机关的执行机关，是地方各级国家行政机关。
　　地方各级人民政府实行省长、市长、县长、区长、乡长、镇长负责制。

　　第一百零六条　地方各级人民政府每届任期同本级人民代表大会每届任期相同。

　　第一百零七条　县级以上地方各级人民政府依照法律规定的权限，管理本行政区域内的经济、教育、科学、文化、卫生、体育事业、城乡建设事业和财政、民政、公安、民族事务、司法行政、监察、计划生育等行政工作，发布决定和命令，任免、培训、考核和奖惩行政工作人员。
　　乡、民族乡、镇的人民政府执行本级人民代表大会的决议和上级国家行政机关的决定和命令，管理本行政区域内的行政工作。
　　省、直辖市的人民政府决定乡、民族乡、镇的建置和区域划分。

　　第一百零八条　县级以上的地方各级人民政府领导所属各工作部门和下级人民政府的工作，有权改变或者撤销所属各工作部门和下级人民政府的不适当的决定。

　　第一百零九条　县级以上的地方各级人民政府设立审计机关。地方各级审计机关依照法律规定独立行使审计监督权，对本级人民政府和上一级审计机关负责。

　　第一百一十条　地方各级人民政府对本级人民代表大会负责并报告工作。县级以上的地方各级人民政府在本级人民代表大会闭会期间，对本级人民代表大会常务委员会负责并报告工作。
　　地方各级人民政府对上一级国家行政机关负责并报告工作。全国地方各级人民政府都是国务院统一领导下的国家行政机关，都服从国务院。

　　第一百一十一条　城市和农村按居民居住地区设立的居民委员会或者村民委员会是基层群众性自治组织。居民委员会、村民委员会的主任、副主任和委员由居民选举。居民委员会、村民委员会同基层政权的相互关系由法律规定。
　　居民委员会、村民委员会设人民调解、治安保卫、公共卫生等委员会，办理本居住地区的公共事务和公益事业，调解民间纠纷，协助维护社会治安，并且向人民政府反映群众的意见、要求和提出建议。

第六节　民族自治地方的自治机关

　　第一百一十二条　民族自治地方的自治机关是自治区、自治州、自治县的人民代表大会和人民政府。

　　第一百一十三条　自治区、自治州、自治县的人民代表大会中，除实行区域自治的民族的代表外，其他居住在本行政区域内的民族也应当有适当名额的代表。
　　自治区、自治州、自治县的人民代表大会常务委员会中应当有实行区域自治的民族的公民担任主任或者副主任。

　　第一百一十四条　自治区主席、自治州州长、自治县县长由实行区域自治的民族的公民担任。

　　第一百一十五条　自治区、自治州、自治县的自治机关行使宪法第三章第五节规定的地方国家机关的职权，同时依照宪法、民族区域自治法和其他法律规定的权限行使自治权，根据本地方实际情况贯彻执行国家的法律、政策。

　　第一百一十六条　民族自治地方的人民代表大会有权依照当地民族的政治、经济和文化的特点，制定自治条例和单行条例。自治区的自治条例和单行条例，报全国人民代表大会常务委员会批准后生效。自治州、自治县的自治条例和单行条例，报省或者自治区的人民代表大会常务委员会批准后生效，并报全国人民代表大会常务委员会备案。

　　第一百一十七条　民族自治地方的自治机关有管理地方财政的自治权。凡是依照国家财政体制属于民族自治地方的财政收入，都应当由民族自治地方的自治机关自主地安排使用。

　　第一百一十八条　民族自治地方的自治机关在国家计划的指导下，自主地安排和管理地方性的经济建设事业。
　　国家在民族自治地方开发资源、建设企业的时候，应当照顾民族自治地方的利益。

　　第一百一十九条　民族自治地方的自治机关自主地管理本地方的教育、科学、文化、卫生、体育事业，保护和整理民族的文化遗产，发展和繁荣民族文化。

　　第一百二十条　民族自治地方的自治机关依照国家的军事制度和当地的实际需要，经国务院批准，可以组织本地方维护社会治安的公安部队。

　　第一百二十一条　民族自治地方的自治机关在执行职务的时候，依照本民族自治地方自治条例的规定，使用当地通用的一种或者几种语言文字。

　　第一百二十二条　国家从财政、物资、技术等方面帮助各少数民族加速发展经济建设和文化建设事业。
　　国家帮助民族自治地方从当地民族中大量培养各级干部、各种专业人才和技术工人。

第七节　人民法院和人民检察院

　　第一百二十三条　中华人民共和国人民法院是国家的审判机关。

　　第一百二十四条　中华人民共和国设立最高人民法院、地方各级人民法院和军事法院等专门人民法院。
　　最高人民法院院长每届任期同全国人民代表大会每届任期相同，连续任职不得超过两届。
　　人民法院的组织由法律规定。

　　第一百二十五条　人民法院审理案件，除法律规定的特别情况外，一律公开进行。被告人有权获得辩护。

　　第一百二十六条　人民法院依照法律规定独立行使审判权，不受行政机关、社会团体和个人的干涉。

　　第一百二十七条　最高人民法院是最高审判机关。
　　最高人民法院监督地方各级人民法院和专门人民法院的审判工作，上级人民法院监督下级人民法院的审判工作。

　　第一百二十八条　最高人民法院对全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会负责。地方各级人民法院对产生它的国家权力机关负责。

　　第一百二十九条　中华人民共和国人民检察院是国家的法律监督机关。

　　第一百三十条　中华人民共和国设立最高人民检察院、地方各级人民检察院和军事检察院等专门人民检察院。
　　最高人民检察院检察长每届任期同全国人民代表大会每届任期相同，连续任职不得超过两届。
　　人民检察院的组织由法律规定。

　　第一百三十一条　人民检察院依照法律规定独立行使检察权，不受行政机关、社会团体和个人的干涉。

　　第一百三十二条　最高人民检察院是最高检察机关。
　　最高人民检察院领导地方各级人民检察院和专门人民检察院的工作，上级人民检察院领导下级人民检察院的工作。

　　第一百三十三条　最高人民检察院对全国人民代表大会和全国人民代表大会常务委员会负责。地方各级人民检察院对产生它的国家权力机关和上级人民检察院负责。

　　第一百三十四条　各民族公民都有用本民族语言文字进行诉讼的权利。人民法院和人民检察院对于不通晓当地通用的语言文字的诉讼参与人，应当为他们翻译。
　　在少数民族聚居或者多民族共同居住的地区，应当用当地通用的语言进行审理；起诉书、判决书、布告和其他文书应当根据实际需要使用当地通用的一种或者几种文字。

　　第一百三十五条　人民法院、人民检察院和公安机关办理刑事案件，应当分工负责，互相配合，互相制约，以保证准确有效地执行法律。

第四章　国旗、国歌、国徽、首都

　　第一百三十六条　中华人民共和国国旗是五星红旗。
　　中华人民共和国国歌是《义勇军进行曲》。

　　第一百三十七条　中华人民共和国国徽，中间是五星照耀下的天安门，周围是谷穗和齿轮。

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 4, 1982, and amended in accordance with the amendments to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China adopted at the First Session of the Seventh National People's Congress on April 12, 1988, at the First Session of the Eighth National People's Congress on March 29, 1993, at the Second Session of the Ninth National People's Congress on March 15, 1999,and at the Second Session of the 10th National People's Congress on March 14, 2004
 

CONTENTS

　　Preamble

　　Chapter One
　　General Principles

　　Chapter Two
　　The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens

　　Chapter Three
　　The Structure of the State

Section　I　The National People's Congress
Section　II　The President of the People's Republic of China
Section　III　The State Council
Section　IV　The Central Military Commission
Section　V　The Local People's Congresses and the Local People's Governments at Various Levels
Section　VI　The Organs of Self-Government of Ethnic Autonomous Areas
Section　VII　The People's Courts and the People's Procuratorates

　　Chapter　Four
　　The National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Emblem and the Capital

Preamble

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

　　After 1840, feudal 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 took place in China in the 20th century.

　　The Revolution of 1911, led by Dr. Sun Yat-sen, abolished 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 struggles, armed and otherwise, along a zigzag course, the Chinese people of all ethnic groups led by the Communist Party of China with Chairman Mao Zedong as its leader ultimately, in 1949, overthrew the rule of imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat-capitalism, won the great victory of 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 Republic, China gradually achieved its transition from a New-Democratic to a socialist society. The socialist transformation of the private ownership of the means of production was completed, the 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 peasants, which is in essence the dictatorship of the proletariat, has been consolidated and developed. The Chinese people and the Chinese People's Liberation Army have defeated imperialist and hegemonist aggression, sabotage and armed provocations and have thereby safeguarded China's national independence and security and strengthened its national defense. 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 educational, scientific, cultural and other undertakings, and 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 ethnic groups, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, by upholding truth, correcting errors and surmounting numerous difficulties and hardships. China will be in the primary stage of socialism for a long time to come. The basic task of the nation is to concentrate its effort on socialist modernization along the road of building socialism with Chinese characteristics. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the Important Thought of the "Three Represents," the Chinese　people of all ethnic groups will continue to adhere to the people's democratic dictatorship and the socialist road, persevere in　reform and opening to the outside world, steadily improve　socialist institutions, develop the socialist market economy, develop socialist democracy, improve the socialist legal system, work hard and self-reliantly to modernize the country's industry, agriculture, national defense and science and technology　step by step, and promote a coordinated development of material, political and spiritual civilizations to turn China into a socialist country that is prosperous, powerful, democratic and culturally advanced.

　　The exploiting classes as a class have been abolished in our country. However, class struggle will continue to exist within certain bounds for a long time to come. The Chinese people must fight against those forces and elements, both at home and abroad, that 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 people, including our compatriots in Taiwan, to accomplish the great task of reunifying the motherland.

　　In building socialism it is essential to rely on the workers, farmers and intellectuals and to unite all the forces that can be united. In the long years of revolution and construction, there 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 people, all builders of the socialist cause, all 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 Conference, a broadly based representative organization of the united front which has played a significant historical role, will play a still more important role in the country's political and social life, in promoting friendship with other countries and in the struggle for socialist modernization and for the reunification and unity of the country. The system of multi-party cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China will exist and develop for a long time to come.

　　The People's Republic of China is a unitary multi-ethnic state created jointly by the people of all its ethnic groups. Socialist relations of equality, unity and mutual assistance have been established among the ethnic groups and will continue to be strengthened. In the struggle to safeguard the unity of the ethnic groups, it is necessary to combat big-ethnic chauvinism, mainly Han chauvinism, and also to combat local-ethnic chauvinism. The state will do its utmost to promote the common prosperity of all ethnic groups.

　　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 integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence in developing diplomatic relations and economic and cultural exchanges with other countries. China consistently opposes imperialism, hegemonism and colonialism, works to strengthen unity with the people of other countries, supports the oppressed nations and the developing countries in their just struggle to win and preserve national independence and develop their national economies, and strives to safeguard world peace and promote the cause of human progress.

　　This Constitution, in legal form, affirms the achievements of the struggles of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups 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 ethnic groups, all state organs, the armed forces, all political parties and public organizations and all enterprises and institutions in the country must take the Constitution as the basic standard of conduct, and they have the duty to uphold the dignity of the Constitution and ensure its implementation.

Chapter One

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's Republic 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 economic, cultural 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 administrative, judicial and procuratorial organs of the state are created by the people's congresses 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 ethnic groups in the People's Republic of China are equal. The state protects the lawful rights and interests of the minority ethnic groups and upholds and develops a relationship of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all of China's ethnic groups. Discrimination against and oppression of any ethnic group are prohibited; any act that undermines the unity of the ethnic groups or instigates division is prohibited.

　　The state assists areas inhabited by minority ethnic groups in accelerating their economic and cultural development according to the characteristics and needs of the various minority ethnic groups.

　　Regional autonomy is practiced in areas where people of minority ethnic groups live in compact communities; in these areas organs of self-government are established to exercise the power of autonomy. All ethnic autonomous areas are integral parts of the People's Republic of China.

　　All ethnic groups 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 People's Republic of China governs the country according to law and makes it a socialist country ruled by law.

　　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 organs, the armed forces, all 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 production, namely, ownership 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 ability, to each according to his work."

　　In the primary stage of socialism, the state upholds the basic economic system with the public ownership remaining dominant and diverse forms of ownership developing side by side, and upholds the distribution system in which the distribution according to work remains dominant and a variety of modes of distribution coexist.

　　Article 7 The state-owned economy, that is, the socialist economy with ownership by the whole people, is the leading force in the national economy. The state ensures the consolidation and growth of the state-owned economy.

　　Article 8 Rural collective economic organizations practice the double-tier operation system that combines unified management with independent management, with the household-based output-related contract responsibility system as the basis. Various forms of the cooperative economy in rural areas, such as producers', supply and marketing, credit and consumers' cooperatives, belong to the sector of socialist economy under collective ownership by the working people. Working people who are members of rural economic collectives have the right, within the limits prescribed by law, to farm plots of cropland and hilly land allotted for their private use, engage in household sideline production and raise privately owned livestock.

　　The various forms of cooperative economy in the cities and towns, such as those in the handicraft, industrial, building, transport, commercial and service trades, all 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 collectives and encourages, guides and helps the growth of the collective economy.

　　Article 9 All mineral resources, waters, forests, mountains, grasslands, unreclaimed land, beaches and other natural resources are owned by the state, that is, by the whole people, with the exception of the forests, mountains, grasslands, unreclaimed land and beaches that are owned by collectives 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 may, in the public interest, appropriate or requisition land for its use in accordance with the law, while making compensations.

　　No organization or individual may appropriate, buy, sell or unlawfully transfer land in other ways. The right to the use of land may be transferred in accordance with the law.

　　All organizations and individuals using land must ensure its rational use.

　　Article 11 Individual, private and other non-public sectors of the economy that exist within the limits prescribed by law are major components of the socialist market economy.

　　The state protects the lawful rights and interests of the individual, private and other non-public sectors of the economy. The state encourages, supports and guides the development of the non-public sectors of the economy, and exercises supervision and control over the non-public sectors of the economy in accordance with the law.

　　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 lawful private property of citizens is inviolable.

　　The state protects according to law the right of citizens to own and inherit private property.

　　The state may, in the public interest, appropriate or requisition private property of citizens for its use in accordance with the law, while making compensations.

　　Article 14 The state continuously raises labor productivity, improves economic results and develops the productive forces by enhancing the enthusiasm of the working people, raising the level of their technical skill, disseminating advanced science and technology, improving the systems of economic administration and enterprise operation and management, instituting the socialist system of responsibility in various forms and improving the organization of work.

　　The state practices strict economy and combats waste.

　　The state properly apportions accumulation and consumption, concerns itself with the interests of the collective and the individual as well as of the state and, on the basis of expanded production, gradually improves the material and cultural life of the people.

　　The state builds and improves a social security system that corresponds with the level of economic development.

　　Article 15 The state practices socialist market economy.

　　The state shall enhance economic legislation and improve macro-control of the economy.

　　The state shall, in accordance with the law, prohibit disturbance of the socioeconomic order by any organization or individual.

　　Article 16 State-owned enterprises have decision-making power with regard to operation and management within the limits prescribed by law.

　　State-owned enterprises practice 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 activities, on condition that they abide by the relevant laws.

　　Collective economic organizations practice democratic management, elect and remove their managerial personnel in accordance with the law, and decide on major issues concerning operation and management.

　　Article 18 The People's Republic of China permits foreign enterprises, other 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 enterprises, other 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 types, universalizes compulsory primary education and promotes secondary, vocational and higher education as well as pre-school education.

　　The state develops educational facilities in order to eliminate illiteracy and provide political, scientific, technical and professional education as well as general education for workers, farmers, state functionaries and other working people. It encourages people to become educated through independent study.

　　The state encourages the collective economic organizations, state 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 sciences, disseminates knowledge of science and technology, and commends and rewards achievements in scientific research as well as technological innovations and inventions.

　　Article 21 The state develops medical and health services, promotes modern medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, encourages and supports the setting up of various medical and health facilities by the rural economic collectives, state enterprises and institutions and neighborhood organizations, and promotes health and sanitation activities of a mass character, all 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 literature, the press, radio and television broadcasting, publishing and distribution services, libraries, museums, cultural centers and other cultural undertakings that serve the people and socialism, and it sponsors mass cultural activities.

　　The state protects sites of scenic and historical interest, valuable 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 socialism, expands 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 socialist spiritual civilization by promoting education in high ideals, ethics, general knowledge, discipline and legality, and 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 for the motherland, for the people, for labor, for science and for socialism. It conducts education among the people in patriotism and collectivism, in internationalism and communism and in dialectical and historical materialism, to combat capitalist, feudalist 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 administration, the system of responsibility for work and the system of training functionaries and appraising their performance in order to constantly improve quality of work and efficiency and combat bureaucratism.

　　All state organs and functionaries must rely on the support of the people, keep in close touch with them, heed their opinions and suggestions, accept their supervision and do their best to serve them.

　　Article 28 The state maintains public order and suppresses treasonable and other criminal activities that endanger state security; 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 defense, resist aggression, defend the motherland, safeguard the people's peaceful labor, participate in national reconstruction, and do their best to serve the people.

　　The state strengthens the revolutionization, modernization and regularization of the armed forces in order to increase national defense capability.

　　Article 30 The administrative division of the People's Republic of China is as follows:

　　(1) The country is divided into provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government;

　　(2) Provinces and autonomous regions are divided into autonomous prefectures, counties, autonomous counties, and cities; and

　　(3) Counties and autonomous counties are divided into townships, ethnic townships, and towns.

　　Municipalities directly under the Central Government and other large cities are divided into districts and counties. Autonomous prefectures are divided into counties, autonomous counties, and cities.

　　All autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties are ethnic 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 the 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's Republic of China may grant asylum to foreigners who request it for political reasons.

Chapter Two

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's Republic of China are equal before the law.

　　The state respects and guarantees human rights.

　　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 election, regardless of ethnic status, race, sex, occupation, family background, religious belief, education, property status or length of residence, except persons deprived of political rights according to law.

　　Article 35 Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.

　　Article 36 Citizens of the People's Republic of China enjoy freedom of religious belief.

　　No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not 　to believe in, any religion; nor may they discriminate against citizens who believe in, or do not believe in, any religion.

　　The state protects normal religious activities. No one may make use of religion to engage in activities that disrupt public order, impair 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 court, and 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 prohibited, and 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. Insult, libel, false 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 of, or intrusion into, a 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 may, on any ground, infringe upon citizens' freedom and privacy of correspondence, except in cases where, to meet the needs of state security or of criminal investigation, public 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 against, or exposures of, any 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 complaints, charges or exposures made by citizens in a responsible manner after ascertaining the facts. No one may suppress such complaints, charges 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 channels, the state creates conditions for employment, enhances occupational safety and health, improves working conditions and, on the basis of expanded production, increases remuneration for work and welfare benefits.

　　Work is a matter of honor for every citizen who is able to work. All working people in state-owned 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 labor emulation, and commends and rewards model and advanced workers. The state encourages citizens to take part in voluntary labor.

　　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 old, ill or disabled. The state develops social insurance, social 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 forces, provide 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 work, livelihood and education of the blind, deaf-mute 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 people, morally, intellectually and physically.

　　Article 47 Citizens of the People's Republic of China have the freedom to engage in scientific research, literary 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 education, science, technology, literature, art and other cultural work.

　　Article 48 Women in the People's Republic of China enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of life, in political, economic, cultural, social and family life.

　　The state protects the rights and interests of women, applies the principle of equal pay for equal work to men and women alike and trains and selects cadres from among women.

　　Article 49 Marriage, the family and mother and child are protected by the state.

　　Both husband and wife have the duty to practice family planning.

　　Parents have the duty to rear and educate their children who are minors, and 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 people, women 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 China, in exercising their freedoms and rights, may not infringe upon the interests of the state, of society or of the collective, or 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 ethnic groups.

　　Article 53 Citizens of the People's Republic of China must abide by the Constitution and the law, keep state secrets, protect public property, observe labor 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 security, honor and interests of the motherland; they must not commit acts detrimental to the security, honor 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 the duty of citizens of the People's Republic of China to pay taxes in accordance with the law.

Chapter Three

The Structure of the State

　　Section I  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's Congress.

　　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 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities directly under the Central Government and special administrative regions and of deputies elected from the armed forces. All the minority ethnic groups are entitled to appropriate representation.

　　Election of deputies to the National People's Congress is conducted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

　　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's Congress two months prior to the expiration of the term of office of the current National People's Congress. Should extraordinary circumstances prevent such an election, it may be postponed and the term of office of the current National People's Congress 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's Congress 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's Congress so propose.

　　When the National People's Congress meets, it 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 offences, civil affairs, the 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 China, and on the choice of the vice premiers, state councilors, ministers in charge of ministries or commissions, the 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 and, upon nomination by the chairman, to 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 provinces, autonomous regions, and 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 premier, vice premiers, state councilors, ministers in charge of ministries or commissions, the auditor-general and the secretary-general of the State Council;

　　(3) The chairman of the Central Military Commission and other members on 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 vote of more than half of all the deputies to the National People's Congress.

　　Article 65 The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress is composed of the following:

　　The chairman;

　　The vice chairmen;

　　The secretary-general; and

　　The members.

　　Minority ethnic groups are entitled to appropriate representation on the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

　　The National People's Congress elects, and has the power to recall, members of its Standing Committee.

　　No one on the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress shall hold office in any of the administrative, judicial 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's Congress.

　　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 laws, with the exception of those which should be enacted by the National People's Congress;

　　(3) To partially supplement and amend, when the National People's Congress is not in session, laws 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 approve, when the National People's Congress is not in session, partial adjustments to the plan for national economic and social development and to the state budget that prove necessary in the course of their implementation;

　　(6) To supervise the work of the State Council, the Central Military Commission, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate;

　　(7) To annul those administrative rules and regulations, decisions 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 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the Central Government that contravene the Constitution, the law or the administrative rules and regulations;

　　(9) To decide, when the National People's Congress is not in session, on the choice of ministers in charge of ministries or commissions, the auditor-general or the secretary-general of the State Council upon nomination by the premier of the State Council;

　　(10) To decide, upon nomination by the chairman of the Central Military Commission, on the choice of other members of the commission, when the National People's Congress is not in session;

　　(11) To appoint or remove, at the recommendation of the president of the Supreme People's Court, the vice presidents and judges of the Supreme People's Court, members of its Judicial Committee and the president of the Military Court;

　　(12) To appoint or remove, at the recommendation of the procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the deputy procurators-general and procurators of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, members of its Procuratorial Committee and the chief procurator of the Military Procuratorate, and to approve the appointment or removal of the chief procurators of the people's procuratorates of provinces, autonomous regions, and 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 honor and decide on their conferment;

　　(17) To decide on the granting of special pardons;

　　(18) To decide, when the National People's Congress is not in session, on 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 defense against aggression;

　　(19) To decide on general mobilization or partial mobilization;

　　(20) To decide on the entry into a state of emergency throughout the country or in particular provinces, autonomous regions, or 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 chairman, the 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 an Ethnic Affairs Committee, a Law Committee, a Finance and Economic Committee, an Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee, a Foreign Affairs Committee, an Overseas Chinese Affairs 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 examine, discuss 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 may, when they deem it necessary, appoint committees of inquiry into specific questions and adopt relevant resolutions in the light of their reports.

　　All organs of state, public 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 right, in accordance with procedures prescribed by law, to 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 its Standing Committee have the right, during the sessions of the Congress and the meetings of the Committee, to address questions, in accordance with procedures prescribed by law, to the State Council or the ministries and commissions under the State Council, which 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 or, when the National People's Congress is not in session, without 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 and, in public activities, production and other work, assist 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 people, heed 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 power, through procedures prescribed by law, to 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 Ⅱ  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's Republic of China is the same as that of the National People's Congress, and they shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

　　Article 80 The president of the People's Republic of China, in pursuance of the decisions of the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee, promulgates statutes; appoints or removes the premier, vice premiers, state councilors, ministers in charge of ministries or commissions, the auditor-general and the secretary-general of the State Council; confers state medals and titles of honor; issues orders of special pardons; proclaims a state of emergency; proclaims a state of war; and issues mobilization orders.

　　Article 81 The president of the People's Republic of China conducts state affairs and receives foreign diplomatic representatives on behalf of the People's Republic of China and, in pursuance of the decisions of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, appoints or recalls plenipotentiary representatives abroad, and 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 vacant, the 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 vacant, the National People's Congress shall elect a new vice president to fill the vacancy.

　　In the event that the offices of both the president and the vice president of the People's Republic of China fall vacant, the National People's Congress shall elect a new president and a new vice president. Prior to such election, the 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 Ⅲ  The State Council

　　Article 85 The State Council, that is, the Central People's Government, of 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 councilors;

　　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 premier, vice premiers and state councilors shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

　　Article 88 The premier directs the work of the State Council. The vice premiers and state councilors assist the premier in his work.

　　Executive meetings of the State Council are to be attended by the premier, the vice premiers, the state councilors 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 measures, enact 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 Council, to 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 country, and to formulate the detailed division of functions and powers between the Central Government and the organs of state administration of provinces, autonomous regions, and 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 education, science, culture, public health, physical culture and family planning;

　　(8) To direct and administer civil affairs, public security, judicial administration, supervision 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 defense;

　　(11) To direct and administer affairs concerning the ethnic groups and to safeguard the equal rights of minority ethnic groups and the right to autonomy of the ethnic 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 orders, directives 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 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government, and to approve the establishment and geographic division of autonomous prefectures, counties, autonomous counties and cities;

　　(16) To decide in accordance with the law on the entry into a state of emergency in parts of provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government;

　　(17) To examine and decide on the size of administrative organs and, in accordance with the law, to appoint or remove administrative officials, train them, appraise 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 it.

　　Article 90 Ministers in charge of 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 orders, directives and regulations within the jurisdiction of their respective departments and in accordance with the law and the administrative rules and regulations, decisions 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 levels, and the revenue and expenditure of all financial and monetary organizations, enterprises and institutions of the state.

　　Under the direction of the premier of the State Council, the auditing body independently exercises its power of supervision through auditing in accordance with the law, subject 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 or, when the National People's Congress is not in session, to its Standing Committee.

　　Section IV  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 V  The Local People's Congresses and the Local People's Governments at Various Levels

　　Article 95 People's congresses and people's governments are established in provinces, municipalities directly under the Central Government, counties, cities, municipal districts, townships, ethnic townships and 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 regions, autonomous 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 Ⅴ and Ⅵ of Chapter Three 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 provinces, municipalities 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's congresses of counties, cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, townships, ethnic townships and 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 local people's congresses at various levels is five 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 law, they 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 reports on their implementation. They have the power to alter or annul inappropriate decisions of their own standing committees.

　　The people's congresses of ethnic townships may, within the limits of their authority as prescribed by law, take specific measures suited to the characteristics of the ethnic groups concerned.

　　Article 100 The people's congresses of provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government and their standing committees may adopt local regulations, which must not contravene the Constitution and the law and the administrative rules and regulations, and 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 governors, or mayors and deputy mayors, or heads and deputy heads of counties, districts, townships and towns.

　　Local people's congresses at and above the county level elect, and have the power to recall, presidents 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 provinces, municipalities 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 counties, cities not divided into districts, municipal districts, townships, ethnic townships and 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 or above the county level is composed of a chairman, vice chairmen and members, and 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 elects, and has the power to recall, members 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 administrative, judicial 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 government, people's court 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; and, when the people's congress at the corresponding level is not in session, recalls individual deputies to the people's congress at the next higher level and elects individual deputies to fill vacancies in that people's congress.

　　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.

　　Governors, mayors and heads of counties, districts, townships and towns assume overall responsibility for local people's governments at various different 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 level, within the limits of their authority as prescribed by law, conduct administrative work concerning the economy, education, science, culture, public health, physical culture, urban and rural development, finance, civil affairs, public security, ethnic affairs, judicial administration, supervision and family planning in their respective administrative areas; issue decisions and orders; appoint or remove administrative functionaries, train them, appraise their performance and reward or punish them.

　　People's governments of townships, ethnic townships, and towns execute the resolutions of the people's congress at the corresponding level 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's governments of provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government decide on the establishment and geographic division of townships, ethnic townships, and 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 levels, and 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's governments 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's governments 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 chairman, vice 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 mediation, public security, public health and other matters in order to manage public affairs and social services in their areas, mediate civil disputes, help maintain public order and convey residents' opinions and demands and make suggestions to the people's government.

　　Section VI  The Organs of Self-Government of Ethnic Autonomous Areas

　　Article 112 The organs of self-government of ethnic autonomous areas are the people's congresses and people's governments of autonomous regions, autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties.

　　Article 113 In the people's congress of an autonomous region, prefecture or county, in addition to the deputies of the ethnic group exercising regional autonomy in the administrative area, the other ethnic groups 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 region, prefecture or county there shall be one or more citizens of the ethnic group or ethnic groups exercising regional autonomy in the area concerned.

　　Article 114 The chairman of an autonomous region, the prefect of an autonomous prefecture or the head of an autonomous county shall be a citizen of the ethnic group exercising regional autonomy in the area concerned.

　　Article 115 The organs of self-government of autonomous regions, prefectures and counties exercise the functions and powers of local organs of state as specified in Section Ⅴ of Chapter Three of the Constitution. At the same time, they exercise the power of autonomy within the limits of their authority as prescribed by the Constitution, the Law of the People's Republic of China on Regional Ethnic 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 ethnic autonomous areas have the power to enact regulations on the exercise of autonomy and other separate regulations in the light of the political, economic and cultural characteristics of the ethnic group or ethnic groups 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 committees of the people's congresses of provinces or autonomous regions for approval before they go into effect, and 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 ethnic autonomous areas have the power of autonomy in administering the finances of their areas. All revenues accruing to the ethnic 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 ethnic 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 ethnic autonomous areas, the state shall give due consideration to the interests of those areas.

　　Article 119 The organs of self-government of the ethnic autonomous areas independently administer educational, scientific, cultural, public health and physical culture affairs in their respective areas, protect and sift through the cultural heritage of the ethnic groups and work for a vigorous development of their cultures.

　　Article 120 The organs of self-government of the ethnic autonomous areas may, in accordance with the military system of the state and practical local needs and with the approval of the State Council, organize local public security forces for the maintenance of public order.

　　Article 121 In performing their functions, the organs of self-government of the ethnic autonomous areas, in accordance with the regulations on the exercise of autonomy in those areas, employ the spoken and written language or languages in common use in the locality.

　　Article 122 The state provides financial, material and technical assistance to the minority ethnic groups to accelerate their economic and cultural development.

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

　　Section VII  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's courts at various local levels, military courts and other special people's courts.

　　The term of office of the president of the Supreme People's Court 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 law, all cases in the people's courts are heard in public. The accused has the right to defense.

　　Article 126 The people's courts exercise judicial power independently, in accordance with the provisions of the law, and are not subject to interference by any administrative organ, public 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's courts. 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 levels, military 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 Congress; the procurator-general shall serve no more than two consecutive terms.

　　The organization of people's procuratorates is prescribed by law.

　　Article 131 The people's procuratorates exercise procuratorial power independently, in accordance with the provisions of the law, and are not subject to interference by any administrative organ, public 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 ethnic groups have the right to use the spoken and written languages of their own ethnic groups 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 ethnic group live in a compact community or where a number of ethnic groups live together, court hearings should be conducted in the language or languages commonly used in the locality; indictments, judgments, notices and other documents should be written, according to actual needs, in the language or languages commonly used in the locality.

　　Article 135 The people' s courts, people's procuratorates and public security organs shall, in handling criminal cases,divide their functions, each taking responsibility for its own work, and they shall coordinate their efforts and check each other to ensure the correct and effective enforcement of the law.

Chapter Four

The National Flag, the National Anthem, the National Emblem and the Capital

　　Article 136 The national flag of the People's Republic of China is a red flag with five stars.

　　The national anthem of the People's Republic of China is March of the Volunteers.

　　Article 137 The national emblem of the People's Republic of China consists of an image of Tiananmen in its center illuminated by five stars and encircled by ears of grain and a cogwheel.