Statutes of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries
(Amended and Adopted by the Ninth National Council Meeting on May 18, 2007)
Chapter OneGeneral Principles
Article 1 The Association is a national people’s organization of the People’s Republic of China known as the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and abbreviated as CPAFFC.
Article 2 As an institute of people-to-people diplomacy, on behalf of the Chinese people, the Association makes friends extensively and makes close friends on the international arena and works to win broad international sympathy for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and to provide a consolidated social basis for the establishment of good state relations between China and all other countries.
Article 3To enhance people’s friendship, further international cooperation, safeguard world peace and promote common development are purposes which the Association pursues indefatigably in its work.
Article 4 The Association implements China’s independent foreign policy of peace, and observes the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, while carrying out all-directional, multi-level and wide-range people-to-people friendship work. It serves the great task of China’s peaceful development and peaceful reunification, dedicates itself to the cause of solidarity and progress of all mankind, and strives for a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity.
Chapter TwoFunctions
Article 5 Establish and develop good relations of cooperation with friendship-with-China organizations and personages of various circles in other countries. Increase mutual understanding between peoples, build confidence and develop friendship through sending delegations for exchange of visits, holding commemorative meetings, public lectures, seminars and symposiums, taking part in bilateral or multilateral meetings, exchanging publications, etc.
Article 6 Initiate and organize, in accordance with the overall arrangement for nongovernmental diplomacy, friendship organizations for different regions and countries, develop friendly exchanges on a people-to-people basis, and confer the title of Friendship Ambassador on distinguished international friendly personages or pay respect to them in different ways.
Article 7 Work for safeguarding world peace and common security of humanity, and show support for the people of all countries in their just struggles for national development and social progress and for safeguarding sovereignty and security.
Article 8 Promote nongovernmental economic cooperation with other countries, conduct mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, investment, education, science, technology, environmental protection, urban and rural construction as well as other fields, and encourage international exchanges of qualified personnel.
Article 9 Develop nongovernmental cultural exchanges with other countries by dispatching Chinese art troupes or hosting cultural groups or figures from the five continents on their friendly visits, and sponsoring various performances or exhibitions.
Article 10 Conduct exchanges with different types of civil organizations across the globe, learn from and disseminate their useful experiences to give impetus to building a harmonious society, and pay attention to international exchanges among the youth in particular.
Article 11 Coordinate and oversee, as entrusted by the government, the work of establishing and developing friendship-city relations between localities in China and their counterparts in other countries, and facilitate exchanges and cooperation between these localities or cities.
Article 12 As a nongovernmental organization in special consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations, take an active part in exchanges sponsored by the United Nations and other international organizations. As a member of the International Organization of United Cities and Local Governments, participate in international cooperation on behalf of Chinese local authorities.
Article 13Carry out other activities for friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and other peoples.
Chapter ThreeMembership
Article 14The Association adopts a combined system of group membership and individual membership.
Article 15 The departments concerned of the Central Government, civil groups, friendship associations as well as people’s associations for friendship with foreign countries in provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government and in cities directly under their jurisdiction may become group members of the Association. Member groups elect representatives to serve as group council members of the Association. In case the working post of the representative changes, the member group needs to elect another representative.
Article 16 The Association may invite a number of noted public figures to be its specially invited council members in the capacity of individual members of the Association.
Article 17Members of the Association should comply with the statutes of the Association, take up some definite work with a view to achieving the purposes of the Association, actively participate in the people-to-people diplomatic activities organized by the Association, and are entitled to enjoy the services provided by the Association for international exchanges.
Chapter FourStructure
Article 18The highest organ of authority of the Association is its National Council. Each term of office is five years. In addition to its plenary session held at the beginning of each term, at least one more session should be convened during the term.
Article 19Attention ought to be given to the broad representation of the composition of the National Council which is determined by the previous one after consultation with all sectors of society.
Article 20 The functions and powers of the National Council are as follows:
1.To examine the report on the work of the Association and decide on policies for its work and determine its tasks;
2. To amend the statutes of the Association in light of the developments of situation and the needs in its work;
3.To decide on the invitation of its honorary president and advisers; and
4.To elect the president, vice presidents and the secretary general.
Article 21The Executive Committee is formed by the president, vice presidents and the secretary general to attend to the day-to-day work of the Association and is responsible for reporting its work to the National Council. The Executive Committee may decide on the individual change of its component members, which must be recognized retroactively by the next National Council Meeting. The Executive Committee may decide on the appointment of a number of deputy secretaries general and the establishment of necessary offices. The Executive Committee may call the National Council to session when it is deemed necessary.
Article 22Provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government as well as cities, districts and counties under their jurisdiction may set up friendship associations with foreign countries at corresponding levels when necessary. As people’s organizations at corresponding levels, the friendship associations with foreign countries in provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government as well as in cities, districts and counties work under the guidance of the associations at a higher level.
Chapter Five Funds
Article 23 The sources of the Association’s funds are:
1. Donations from various sectors of society in China and abroad;
2. Incomes from activities sponsored by the Association; and
3. Government’s subsidies
Chapter Six Association Emblem
Article 24 The emblem of the Association is made up of the design of the Chinese plum blossom together with the Chinese characters of “friendship” and “The Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries”, and CPAFFC. The emblem may be hung in offices, venues of activities and meeting places; it may be printed on publications and souvenirs; it may also be made into badges.
Chapter Five Supplementary Provisions
Article 25 The seat of the Association is in Beijing.
Article 26 The statutes shall become effective upon adoption by the national council meeting.
Article 27 The dissolution of the Association shall take effect only after discussion and approval by a majority vote of more than two-thirds at the national council meeting.