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CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA

CONSTITUTION OF THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Important Notice:


  This  English  document  is  coming  from  "LAWS  AND  REGULATIONS  OF THE
  PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF  CHINA  GOVERNING  FOREIGN-RELATED  MATTERS" (1991.7)
  which  is  compiled  by  the  Brueau  of  Legislative Affairs of the State
  Council of  the  People's Republic of China, and is published by the China
  Legal System Publishing House.
  In case of discrepancy, the original version in Chinese shall prevail.

 

　　Whole Document (法规全文)

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)
　　Contents

Preamble   Chapter I     General Principle   Chapter II    The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens   Chapter III   The Structure of the State                 Section 1 The National People's Congress                 Section 2 The President of the People's Republic of China                 Section 3 The State Council                 Section 4 The Central Military Commission                 Section 5 The Local People's Congresses and Local People's                 Governments at Various Levels                 Section 6 The Organs of Self-Government of National                 Autonomous Areas Section 7 The People's Courts and the                 People's Procuratorates   Chapter IV    The National Flag , the National Emblem and the Capital
Preamble  China is a country with one of the longest histories  in  the  world.  The   people of all of China's nationalities have jointly created a  culture  of   grandeur and have a glorious revolutionary tradition.   After 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 have taken 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  nationalities  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  a  great  victory   in   the   New-Democratic   Revolution and founded the People's Republic  of  China.  Since  then  the   Chinese people have taken control of state power and become masters of the   country. After the founding of  the  People's  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 has been 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   defence. Major successes have been achieved in  economic  development.  An   independent and relatively comprehensive socialist system of industry  has   basically  been  established.  There  has  been  a  marked   increase   in   agricultural  production.  Significant  advances   have   been   made   in   educational, scientific and  cultural  undertakings,  while  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   nationalities, 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. The basic task of the  nation  in  the  years  to  come  is  to   concentrate its effort on socialist modernization. Under the leadership of   the Communist Party of China and the guidance of Marxism-Leninism and  Mao   Zedong Thought, the Chinese people of all nationalities will  continue  to   adhere to the people's democratic dictatorship  and  the  socialist  road,   steadily improve  socialist  institutions,  develop  socialist  democracy,   improve the socialist legal system, and work hard  and  self-reliantly  to   modernize  the  country's  industry,  agriculture,  national  defence  and   science and technology step by step to turn China into a socialist country   with a high level of culture and democracy.   The exploiting classes as such have been abolished in our country.   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  workers,  peasants  and   intellectuals and to unite all 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  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 People's Republic of China is a unitary  multinational  state  created   jointly by the people of all its  nationalities.  Socialist  relations  of   equality, unity and mutual assistance  have  been  established  among  the   nationalities and will continue to be strengthened.  In  the  struggle  to   safeguard the unity of the nationalities, it is necessary to  combat  big-   nation chauvinism, mainly Han chauvinism, and  to  combat  local  national   chauvinism. The state will do its utmost to promote the common  prosperity   of  all  the  nationalities.  China's  achievements  in   revolution   and   construction are inseparable from the support of the people of the world.   The future of China is closely linked to the future of  the  world.  China   consistently carries out an independent foreign policy and adheres to  the   five  principles  of  mutual  respect  for  sovereignty  and   territorial   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 nationalities and defines the basic   system and basic tasks of the state; it is  the  fundamental  law  of  the   state and has supreme legal authority. The people  of  all  nationalities,   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 I General Principles  Article 1   The People's Republic of China is a socialist  state  under  the  people's   democratic dictatorship led by the working class and based on the alliance   of workers and peasants.  The socialist system is the basic system of  the   People'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 nationalities in the People's Republic of China are equal.  The  state   protects the lawful rights and interests of the minority nationalities and   upholds  and  develops  a  relationship  of  equality,  unity  and  mutual   assistance among all of China's nationalities. Discrimination against  and   oppression of any nationality are prohibited; any act which undermines the   unity of the nationalities or instigates division is prohibited.   The  state  assists  areas  inhabited   by   minority   nationalities   in   accelerating their economic and  cultural  development  according  to  the   characteristics and needs of the various minority nationalities.   Regional  autonomy  is  practised  in  areas  where  people  of   minority   nationalities live in concentrated communities; in these areas  organs  of   self-government are established to exercise the  power  of  autonomy.  All   national autonomous areas are integral parts of the People's  Republic  of   China.   All nationalities have the freedom to use and develop their own spoken and   written languages and  to  preserve  or  reform  their  own  folkways  and   customs.  Article 5   The state upholds the  uniformity  and  dignity  of  the  socialist  legal   system.   No laws or administrative or local rules and  regulations  may  contravene   the Constitution. All  state  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."   Article 7   The state economy is the sector of socialist economy  under  ownership  by   the whole people; it is the leading force in  the  national  economy.  The   state ensures the consolidation and growth of the state economy.   Article 8   Rural people's communes, agricultural  producers  cooperatives  and  other   forms of cooperatives economy, 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 collective 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  collective  and   encourages, guides and helps the growth of the collective economy.   Article 9   All mineral resources, waters, forests, mountains, grassland,  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  collective  in   accordance with the law.   The state ensures the rational use of natural resources and protects  rare   animals and plants. Appropriation or damaging of natural resources by  any   organization or individual by whatever means is prohibited.  Article 10   Land in the cities is owned by the state.   Land in the rural and suburban areas is owned by  collectives  except  for   those portions which belong to the state in accordance with the law; house   sites and privately farmed plots of cropland and hilly land are also owned   by collectives.   The state may, in the public interest, requisition land  for  its  use  in   accordance with the law.   No organization or individual may appropriate, buy, sell or lease land  or   otherwise engage in the transfer of land by unlawful means.   All organizations and individuals using land must ensure its rational use.   Article 11   The individual economy of urban and rural working people, operating within   the limits prescribed by law, is a  complement  to  the  socialist  public   economy. The state  protects  the  lawful  rights  and  interests  of  the   individual economy.   The state  guides,  assists  and  supervises  the  individual  economy  by   administrative control.   Article 12   Socialist public property is inviolable.   The state protects socialist public property. Appropriation or damaging of   state or collective property by any organization or individual by whatever   means is prohibited.   Article 13   The state protects the right of citizens to own  lawfully  earned  income,   savings, houses and other lawful property.   The state protects according to law  the  right  of  citizens  to  inherit   private property.   Article 14   The state  continuously  raises  labour  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 practises 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.  Article 15   The state practises planned economy  on  the  basis  of  socialist  public   ownership. It ensures the proportionate  and  coordinated  growth  of  the   national economy through overall balancing by economic  planning  and  the   supplementary role of  regulation  by  the  market.   Disturbance  of  the   socioeconomic order or disruption  of  the  state  economic  plan  by  any   organization or individual is prohibited.   Article 16   State enterprises have decision-making power with regard to operation  and   management within the limits prescribed by law,  on  condition  that  they   submit to unified leadership by the state and fulfil all their obligations   under the state plan.  State enterprises  practise  democratic  management   through congresses of workers and staff and in other  ways  in  accordance   with the law.   Article 17   Collective economic organizations have decision-making power in conducting   independent  economic  activities,  on  condition  that  they  accept  the   guidance of the state plan and abide by the relevant laws.   Collective  economic  organizations  practise  democratic  management   in   accordance with the law. The  entire  body  of  their  workers  elects  or   removes their managerial personnel and decides on major issues  concerning   operation and management.   Article 18   The People's Republic of China permits foreign 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 preschool 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, peasants, 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   neighbourhood   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 centres 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 a socialist society with an advanced   culture and ideology  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 of the motherland, of the  people,  of   labour, of science and of  socialism.  It  conducts  education  among  the   people in patriotism and collectivism, in internationalism  and  communism   and in dialectical  and  historical  materialism,  to  combat  capitalist,   feudal 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   constantly to improve the  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   counter-revolutionary activities; it penalizes  criminal  activities  that   endanger public security and disrupt the  socialist  economy  as  well  as   other criminal activities; and it punishes and reforms criminals.   Article 29   The armed forces of the People's Republic of China belong to the people.   Their tasks are to strengthen national defence, resist aggression,  defend   the motherland, safeguard the people's  peaceful  labour,  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  defence   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;   (3)  Counties  and  autonomous  counties  are  divided   into   townships,   nationality 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   national autonomous areas.    Article 31   The state may establish special administrative regions when necessary. The   systems to be  instituted  in  special  administrative  regions  shall  be   prescribed by law enacted by the National People's Congress in  the  light   of specific conditions.   Article 32   The People's Republic of China protects the lawful rights and interests of   foreigners within Chinese territory; foreigners on Chinese territory  must   abide by the laws of the People's Republic of China.   The People's Republic of China may grant asylum to foreigners who  request   it for political reasons.　　Chapter II The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens  Article 33   All persons holding the nationality of the People's Republic of China  are   citizens of the People's Republic of China.   All citizens of the People's Republic of China are equal before the law.   Every citizen is entitled to the rights and at the same time must  perform   the duties prescribed by the Constitution and the law.   Article 34   All citizens of the People's Republic of China who have reached the age of   18 have the right to vote and stand for  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  honour   for every citizen who is  able  to  work.  All  working  people  in  state   enterprises and in urban and rural economic  collectives  should  approach   their work as the masters of the country that they are. The state promotes   socialist labour emulation, and commends and rewards  model  and  advanced   workers. The state encourages citizens to take part in voluntary labour.   The state provides necessary vocational training for citizens before  they   are employed.   Article 43   Working people in the People's Republic of China have the right to rest.   The state expands facilities for the rest and recuperation of the  working   people and prescribes working hours and vacations for workers and staff.   Article 44   The state applies the system  of  retirement  for  workers  and  staff  of   enterprises and institutions and for  functionaries  of  organs  of  state   according to law. The livelihood of retired personnel is  ensured  by  the   state and society.  Article 45   Citizens of the People's Republic of China  have  the  right  to  material   assistance from the state and society when they are 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-mutes and other handicapped citizens.   Article 46   Citizens of the People's Republic of China have the duty as  well  as  the   right to receive education.   The state promotes the all-round development of children and young 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 practise 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 nationalities.   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  labour   discipline and public order and respect social ethics.   Article 54   It is the duty of citizens of the People's Republic of China to  safeguard   the security, honour and interests of the motherland; they must not commit   acts detrimental to the security, honour and interests of the motherland.   Article 55   It is the sacred duty of every citizen of the People's Republic  of  China   to defend the motherland and resist aggression.   It is the honorable duty of citizens of the People's Republic of China  to   perform military service and join the militia in accordance with the law.   Article 56   It is duty of citizens of the People's Republic of China to pay  taxes  in   accordance with the law.　　Chapter III The Structure of the StateSection 1 The National People's Congress   Article 57   The National People's Congress of the People's Republic of  China  is  the   highest organ of state power. Its permanent body is the Standing Committee   of the National People'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  and  municipalities  directly  under  the   Central Government and of deputies elected from the armed forces. All  the   minority nationalities are entitled to appropriate representation.   Election of deputies to the National People's Congress is conducted by the   Standing Committee of the National People'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 Councillors,  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 Councillors, 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  of   the Commission;   (4) the President of the Supreme People's Court; and   (5) the Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.   Article 64   Amendments to  the  Constitution  are  to  be  proposed  by  the  Standing   Committee of the National People's Congress or by more than  one-fifth  of   the deputies to the National People's Congress and adopted by  a  vote  of   more than two-thirds of all the deputies to the Congress.   Laws and resolutions are to be adopted by  a  majority  vote  of  all  the   deputies to the National People'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 nationalities 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 or 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 honour 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 defence against aggression;   (19) to decide on general mobilization or partial mobilization;   (20) to decide on the imposition of martial law throughout the country  or   in particular 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 a  Nationalities  Committee,  a   Law Committee, a Finance and Economic Committee,  an  Education,  Science,   Culture and Public Health  Committee,  a  Foreign  Affairs  Committee,  an   Overseas Chinese Committee  and  such  other  special  committees  as  are   necessary. These special  committees  work  under  the  direction  of  the   Standing Committee of the National People's Congress when the Congress  is   not in session.   The special committees 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  the  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  2   The   President   of   the   People's   Republic   of   China   Article 79   The President and Vice-President of the People's  Republic  of  China  are   elected by the National People's Congress.   Citizens of the People's Republic of China who have the right to vote  and   to stand for election and who have reached the age of 45 are eligible  for   election as President or Vice-President of the People's Republic of China.   The term of office of the President and  Vice-President  of  the  People'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 Councillors, Ministers in charge of ministries or  commissions,  the   Auditor-General and the Secretary-General of the  State  Council;  confers   state medals and titles of honour; issues orders of special pardons;   proclaims martial law; proclaims a state of war; and  issues  mobilization   orders.   Article 81   The  President  of  the  People's  Republic  of  China  receives   foreign   diplomatic representatives on behalf of the  People's  Republic  of  China   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 office  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 3 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 Councillors;   the Ministers in charge of ministries;   the Ministers in charge of commissions;   the Auditor-General; and   the Secretary-General.   The Premier assumes overall responsibility  for  the  work  of  the  State   Council. The Ministers assume overall responsibility for the work  of  the   ministries and commissions.  The organization  of  the  State  Council  is   prescribed by law.   Article 87   The term of office of the State  Council  is  the  same  as  that  of  the   National People's Congress.   The Premier, Vice-Premiers and State Councillors shall serve no more  than   two consecutive terms.   Article 88   The Premier directs the work of the State Council. The  Vice-Premiers  and   State Councillors assist the Premier in his work.   Executive meetings of the State Council are to be attended by the Premier,   the Vice-Premiers, the State Councillors and the Secretary-General of  the   State Council.  The Premier  convenes  and  presides  over  the  executive   meetings and plenary meetings of the State Council.    Article 89   The State Council exercises the following functions and powers:   (1) to adopt  administrative  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 defence;  (11) to direct and administer affairs concerning the nationalities and  to   safeguard the equal rights of minority  nationalities  and  the  right  to   autonomy of the national autonomous areas;   (12) to protect the legitimate rights and interests of  Chinese  nationals   residing abroad and protect the lawful rights and  interests  of  returned   overseas Chinese and of the family members of Chinese  nationals  residing   abroad;   (13) to alter or annul inappropriate 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 on the imposition of martial law  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 to it.   Article 90   Ministers in charge of the ministries or commissions of the State  Council   are responsible for the work of  their  respective  departments  and  they   convene and preside over ministerial meetings  or  general  and  executive   meetings of the commissions to discuss and decide on major issues  in  the   work of their respective  departments.   The  ministries  and  commissions   issue 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 4 The Central Military Commission   Article 93   The Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China  directs   the armed forces of the country.   The Central Military Commission is composed of the following:   the Chairman;   the Vice-Chairmen; and   the members.   The Chairman assumes overall responsibility for the work  of  the  Central   Military Commission.   The term of office of the Central Military Commission is the same as  that   of the National People's Congress.   Article 94   The Chairman of the Central Military  Commission  is  responsible  to  the   National People's Congress and its Standing Committee.   Section 5 The Local People's Congresses and Local People'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, nationality 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 5 and 6 of　　Chapter III of the Constitution.  Article 96   Local people's congresses at various levels  are  local  organs  of  state   power.  Local people's congresses at and above the county level  establish   standing committees.   Article 97   Deputies to the people's congresses of 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,  nationality  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 the people's congresses of provinces, municipalities   directly under the Central Government and cities divided into districts is   five years. The term of office of the  people's  congresses  of  counties,   cities  not  divided  into  districts,  municipal  districts,   townships,   nationality townships, and towns is three years.   Article 99   Local people's congresses at various  levels  ensure  the  observance  and   implementation of the Constitution and  the  law  and  the  administrative   rules and regulations in their respective administrative areas. Within the   limits of their authority as prescribed  by  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 the  reports   on  their  implementation.  They  have  the  power  to  alter   or   annul   inappropriate decisions of their own  standing  committees.  The  people's   congresses of nationality  townships  may,  within  the  limits  of  their   authority as prescribed by law,  take  specific  measures  suited  to  the   characteristics of the nationalities concerned.   Article 100   The people's congresses of provinces and municipalities directly under the   Central  Government  and  their  standing  committees  may   adopt   local   regulations, which must not contravene the Constitution and  the  law  and   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, nationality 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  and  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   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,   nationalities   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,  nationality  townships,  and  towns   execute the resolutions of the people's congresses  at  the  corresponding   levels as well as the decisions and orders  of  the  state  administrative   organs at the next higher level and conduct administrative work  in  their   respective administrative areas.  People's governments  of  provinces  and   municipalities  directly  under  the  Central  Government  decide  on  the   establishment and geographic division of townships, nationality 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 6 The Organs  of  Self-Government  of  National  Autonomous  Areas   Article 112   The organs  of  self-government  of  national  autonomous  areas  are  the   people's  congresses  and  people's  governments  of  autonomous  regions,   autonomous prefectures and autonomous counties.   Article 113   In the people's congress of an autonomous region, autonomous prefecture or   autonomous  county,  in  addition  to  the  deputies  of  the  nationality   exercising  regional  autonomy  in  the  administrative  area,  the  other   nationalities  inhabiting  the  area  are  also  entitled  to  appropriate   representation.   Among the chairman and vice-chairmen of  the  standing  committee  of  the   people's congress  of  an  autonomous  region,  autonomous  prefecture  or   autonomous county there shall be one or more citizens of  the  nationality   or nationalities exercising regional autonomy in the area concerned.   Article 114   The chairman of  an  autonomous  region,  the  prefect  of  an  autonomous   prefecture or the head of an autonomous county shall be a citizen  of  the   nationality exercising regional autonomy in the area concerned.   Article 115   The  organs  of  self-government   of   autonomous   regions,   autonomous   prefectures and autonomous counties exercise the functions and  powers  of   local organs of state as specified in Section 5  of  Chapter  III  of  the   Constitution. At the same 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 National Autonomy and  other   laws and implement the laws and policies of the state in the light of  the   existing local situation.   Article 116   The people's congresses of national autonomous areas  have  the  power  to   enact  regulations  on  the  exercise  of  autonomy  and  other   separate   regulations  in  the  light  of  the  political,  economic  and   cultural   characteristics  of  the  nationality  or  nationalities  in   the   areas   concerned. The regulations on the exercise of autonomy and other  separate   regulations of autonomous regions  shall  be  submitted  to  the  Standing   Committee of the National People's Congress for approval  before  they  go   into effect.  Those  of  autonomous  prefectures  and  counties  shall  be   submitted  to  the  standing  committee  of  the  people's  congresses  of   provinces or autonomous regions for approval before they go  into  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 national autonomous  areas  have  the   power of autonomy in  administering  the  finances  of  their  areas.  All   revenues accruing to the national autonomous  areas  under  the  financial   system of the state shall be managed and  used  by  the  organs  of  self-   government of those areas on their own.   Article 118   The  organs  of  self-government  of   the   national   autonomous   areas   independently arrange for and administer local economic development  under   the guidance of state plans. In exploiting natural resources and  building   enterprises in the national autonomous areas, the  state  shall  give  due   consideration to the interests of those areas.   Article 119   The  organs  of  self-government  of   the   national   autonomous   areas   independently administer educational, scientific, cultural, public  health   and physical culture affairs in their respective areas, protect  and  sift   through the cultural heritage of the nationalities and work for a vigorous   development of their cultures.   Article 120   The organs of self-government of the national  autonomous  areas  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   national 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  nationalities  to  accelerate  their   economic   and   cultural   development.   The state helps the national  autonomous  areas  train  large  numbers  of   cadres at various levels and specialized personnel and skilled workers  of   various professions and trades from among the nationality or nationalities   in those areas.   Section  7  The  People's   Courts   and   the   People's   Procuratorates   Article 123   The people's courts of the People's Republic of  China  are  the  judicial   organs of the state.   Article 124   The People's Republic of China establishes the Supreme People's Court  and   the people'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 defence.   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 the 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 China's nationalities have the right to use  their  native   spoken and written languages in court proceedings. The people's courts and   people's procuratorates should provide translation for any  party  to  the   court proceedings who is not familiar with the spoken or written languages   commonly used in the locality.   In an area where people of a minority nationality live in  a  concentrated   community or where a number of nationalities live 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, the people's procuratorates and the  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.