Constitution of the Chinese Communist Party (Chinese and English Text)


Issuer: 
Chinese Communist Party

中文版


The following translation was retrieved from the China.org.cn Web site on May 31, 2013. The Chinese text was retrieved from the China.com.cn Web site on May 31, 2013.


Constitution of the Communist Party of China

(Amended and adopted at the Sixteenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China on November 14, 2002)

General Program
Chapter I Membership
Chapter II Organization System of the Party
Chapter III Central Organizations of the Party
Chapter IV Local Organizations of the Party
Chapter V Primary Organizations of the Party
Chapter VI Party Cadres
Chapter VII Party Discipline
Chapter VIII Party Organs for Discipline Inspection
Chapter IX Leading Party Members' Groups
Chapter X Relationship Between the Party and the Communist Youth League
Chapter XI Party Emblem and Flag

General Program

The Communist Party of China is the vanguard both of the Chinese working class and of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation. It is the core of leadership for the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics and represents the development trend of China's advanced productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture and the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people. The realization of communism is the highest ideal and ultimate goal of the Party.

The Communist Party of China takes Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents as its guide to action.

Marxism-Leninism brings to light the laws governing the development of the history of human society. Its basic tenets are correct and have tremendous vitality. The highest ideal of communism pursued by the Chinese Communists can be realized only when the socialist society is fully developed and very advanced. The development and improvement of the socialist system is a long historical process. So long as the Chinese Communists uphold the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism and follow the road suited to China's specific conditions and chosen by the Chinese people of their own accord, the socialist cause in China will be crowned with final victory.

The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, created Mao Zedong Thought by integrating the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution. Mao Zedong Thought is Marxism-Leninism applied and developed in China; it consists of a body of theoretical principles concerning the revolution and construction in China and a summary of experience therein, both of which have been proved correct by practice; it represents the crystallized, collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China. Under the guidance of Mao Zedong Thought, the Communist Party of China led the people of all ethnic groups in their prolonged revolutionary struggle against imperialism, feudalism and bureaucrat-capitalism, winning victory for the new-democratic revolution and founding the People's Republic of China, a people's democratic dictatorship. After the founding of the People's Republic, it led them in carrying out socialist transformation, completing the transition from New Democracy to socialism, establishing the basic system of socialism and developing socialism economically, politically and culturally.

After the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Party Central Committee, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Deng Xiaoping as the chief representative, summed up their experience, both positive and negative, emancipated their minds, sought truth from facts, shifted the focus of the work of the whole Party onto economic development and carried out reform and opening to the outside world, ushering in a new era of development in the cause of socialism, gradually formulating the line, principles and policies concerning the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics and expounding the basic questions concerning the building, consolidating and developing of socialism in China, and thus founding Deng Xiaoping Theory. Deng Xiaoping Theory is the outcome of the integration of the basic tenets of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of contemporary China and the features of the times, a continuation and development of Mao Zedong Thought under new historical conditions; it represents a new period of development of Marxism in China, it is Marxism of contemporary China and it is the crystallized, collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China. It is guiding the socialist modernization of our country from victory to victory.

Since the Fourth Plenary Session of the Thirteenth Party Central Committee and in the practice of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, the Chinese Communists, with Comrade Jiang Zemin as their chief representative, have acquired a deeper understanding of what socialism is, how to build it and what kind of a party to build and how to build it, accumulated new valuable experience in running the Party and state and formed the important thought of Three Represents. The important thought of Three Represents is a continuation and development of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory; it reflects new requirements for the work of the Party and state arising from the changes in China and other parts of the world today; it serves as a powerful theoretical weapon for strengthening and improving Party building and for promoting self-improvement and development of socialism in China; and it is the crystallized, collective wisdom of the Communist Party of China. It is a guiding ideology that the Party must uphold for a long time to come. Persistent implementation of the "Three Represents" is the foundation for building our Party, the cornerstone for its governance and the source of its strength.

China is at the primary stage of socialism and will remain so for a long period of time. This is a historical stage which cannot be skipped in socialist modernization in China that is backward economically and culturally. It will last for over a hundred years. In socialist construction we must proceed from our specific conditions and take the path to socialism with Chinese characteristics. At the present stage, the principal contradiction in Chinese society is one between the ever-growing material and cultural needs of the people and the low level of production. Owing to both domestic circumstances and foreign influences, class struggle will continue to exist within a certain scope for a long time and may possibly grow acute under certain conditions, but it is no longer the principal contradiction. In building socialism, our basic task is to further release and develop the productive forces and achieve socialist modernization step by step by carrying out reform in those aspects and links of the production relations and the superstructure that do not conform to the development of the productive forces. We must uphold and improve the basic economic system, with public ownership playing a dominant role and diverse forms of ownership developing side by side as well as the system of distribution under which distribution according to work is dominant and a variety of modes of distribution coexist, encourage some areas and some people to become rich first, gradually eliminate poverty and achieve common prosperity, and continuously meet the people's ever-growing material and cultural needs on the basis of the growth of production and social wealth. Development is our Party's top priority in governing and rejuvenating the country. The general starting point and criterion for judging all our work should be how it benefits the development of the productive forces in our socialist society, adds to the overall strength of our socialist country and improves the people's living standards. The beginning of the new century marks China's entry into the new stage of development of building a well-off society in an all-round way and accelerating socialist modernization. The strategic objectives of economic and social development at the new stage in the new century are to consolidate and develop the well-off standard of living initially attained, bring China into a well-off society of a higher level to the benefit of well over one billion people by the time of the Party's centenary and bring the per capita GDP up to the level of moderately developed countries and realize modernization in the main by the time of the centenary of the People's Republic of China.

The basic line of the Communist Party of China at the primary stage of socialism is to lead the people of all our ethnic groups in a concerted, self-reliant and pioneering effort to turn China into a prosperous, strong, democratic and culturally advanced modern socialist country by making economic development our central task while adhering to the Four Cardinal Principles and persevering in the reform and opening up.

In leading the cause of socialism, the Communist Party of China must persist in taking economic development as the central task, making all other work subordinated to and serve this central task. We must lose no time in speeding up economic development, implement the strategy of rejuvenating the country through science and education and that of sustainable development, give full play to the role of science and technology as the primary productive force. We must take advantage of the advancement of science and technology to improve the quality of workers and work hard to push forward the economy with good results, high quality and high speed.

The Four Cardinal Principles -- to keep to the socialist road and to uphold the people's democratic dictatorship, leadership by the Communist Party of China, and Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought -- are the foundation on which to build our country. Throughout the course of socialist modernization we must adhere to the Four Cardinal Principles and combat bourgeois liberalization.

Reform and opening up are the only way to make our country strong. We must carry out fundamental reform of the economic structure that hampers the development of the productive forces, and keep and improve a socialist market economy; we must also carry out corresponding political restructuring and reform in other fields. The opening up means all-dimensional opening up, both externally and internally. We must expand economic and technological exchanges and cooperation with other countries, make more and better use of foreign capital, resources and technologies, and assimilate and exploit the achievements of all other cultures, including all the advanced modes of operation and methods of management of developed countries in the West that embody the laws governing modern socialized production. We must be bold in blazing new trails in the practice of reform and opening up.

The Communist Party of China leads the people in promoting socialist democracy and building socialist political civilization. It keeps expanding socialist democracy, strengthens the socialist legal system, rules the country by law, builds a socialist country under the rule of law and consolidates the people's democratic dictatorship. The system of people's congresses and the system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the Communist Party of China should continue. The Party should encourage the people to act as the masters of the country and take effective measures to protect the people's right to run the affairs of the state and of society and manage economic and cultural undertakings. It should encourage the free airing of views and establish and improve systems and procedures of democratic decision-making and supervision. State legislation and law enforcement should be strengthened so as to gradually put all work of the state on a legal footing. Comprehensive measures for keeping law and order should be taken to maintain the long-term social stability. Efforts must be made according to law to crack down on the criminal activities and criminals that endanger national security and interests, social stability and economic development. We should strictly distinguish between the two different types of contradictions -- those between ourselves and the enemy and those among the people, so as to handle them properly.

The Communist Party of China leads the people in their efforts to build spiritual civilization as well as material and political civilizations and to combine ruling the country by law and ruling the country by virtue. Socialist spiritual civilization provides a powerful ideological driving force and intellectual support and helps create a good social climate for economic development, reform and opening up. It is essential to press ahead with education, science and culture, respect learning and talented people, raise the ideological, moral, scientific and educational levels of the entire nation, develop the fine national traditional culture, and develop a thriving socialist culture. It is essential to inspire the Party members and the people with the Party's basic line, patriotism, community spirit and socialist ideology, enhance their sense of national dignity, self-confidence and self-reliance, imbue the Party members with lofty ideals of communism, resist corrosion by capitalist and feudal decadent ideas and wipe out all social evils so that our people will have lofty ideals, moral integrity, a good education and a strong sense of discipline.

The Communist Party of China persists in its leadership over the People's Liberation Army and other people's armed forces, builds up the strength of the People's Liberation Army, and gives full play to its role in consolidating national defense, defending the motherland and participating in the socialist modernization drive.

The Communist Party of China upholds and promotes relations of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all ethnic groups in the country, upholds and constantly improves the system of regional ethnic autonomy, actively trains and promotes cadres from among ethnic minorities, and helps them with economic and cultural development in the areas inhabited by ethnic minorities so as to achieve common prosperity and all-round progress for all ethnic groups.

The Communist Party of China unites with all workers, farmers and intellectuals, and with all the democratic parties, personages without party affiliation and the patriotic forces of all ethnic groups in China in further expanding and fortifying the broadest possible patriotic united front embracing all socialist workers and all patriots who support socialism or who support the reunification of the motherland. We should constantly work to strengthen the unity of all the Chinese people, including our compatriots in Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions and in Taiwan as well as overseas Chinese. We should accomplish the great task of reunifying the motherland in conformity with the principle of "one country, two systems".

The Communist Party of China stands for developing relations with other countries in order to bring about a favorable international environment for China's reform, opening up and modernization. In international affairs, it adheres to the independent foreign policy of peace, safeguarding China's independence and sovereignty, opposing hegemonism and power politics, defending world peace, and promoting human progress. It works to develop relations between China and other countries on the basis of the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, noninterference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. It strives for the constant development of good-neighborly relations between China and the surrounding countries and for the strengthening of the unity and cooperation between China and other developing countries. The Communist Party of China develops relations with communist parties and other political parties in other countries in accordance with the principles of independence, complete equality, mutual respect and noninterference in each other's internal affairs.

In order to lead the people of all ethnic groups in China in attaining the great goal of socialist modernization, the Communist Party of China must adhere to the Party's basic line in strengthening and improving Party building, persist in the principle that the Party exercises self-discipline and is strict with its members, and carry forward its fine tradition and style of work. It must constantly improve its art of leadership and governance, raise its ability to resist corruption, prevent degeneration and withstand risks, constantly strengthen its class foundation, expand its mass base and enhance its creativity, cohesion and combat effectiveness, so that it will stand forever in the forefront of the times and make itself a strong nucleus that can lead all the Chinese people in the unceasing march along the road of socialism with Chinese characteristics. In building the Party, we must be determined to meet the following four essential requirements:

First, adhering to the Party's basic line. The whole Party must achieve unity in thinking and in action with Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents and the Party's basic line and will persevere in doing so for a long time to come. We must integrate the reform and the open policy with the Four Cardinal Principles, carry out the Party's basic line in all fields of endeavor, implement in an all-round way the Party's basic program for the primary stage of socialism and combat all "Left" or Right erroneous tendencies, maintaining vigilance against Right tendencies, primarily against "Left" tendencies. We must intensify the building of leading bodies at all levels, selecting and promoting cadres who have scored outstanding achievements in their public service and have won the trust of the masses in the reform, opening up and the modernization drive, and train and cultivate millions of successors to the cause of socialism, thus ensuring organizationally the implementation of the Party's basic line and program.

Second, persevering in emancipating the mind, seeking truth from facts and keeping pace with the times. The Party's ideological line is to proceed from reality in handling all matters, to integrate theory with practice, to seek truth from facts, and to verify and develop the truth through practice. Party members must adhere to this ideological line, explore new ways, boldly experiment with new methods, go in for innovation, work creatively, constantly study new situations, review new experience and solve new problems, and enrich and develop Marxism in practice.

Third, persevering in serving the people wholeheartedly. The Party has no special interests of its own apart from the interests of the working class and the broadest masses of the people. At all times the Party gives top priority to the interests of the people, shares weal and woe with them and keeps in closest contact with them, and it does not allow any member to become divorced from the masses or place himself above them. The Party follows the mass line in its work, doing everything for the masses, relying on them in every task, carrying out the principle "from the masses, to the masses", and translating its correct views into conscious action of the masses. The biggest political advantage of our Party lies in its close ties with the masses while the biggest potential danger for it as a ruling party comes from its divorce from them. The Party's style of work and its maintenance of ties with the masses of the people are a matter of vital importance to the Party, and the Party persistently opposes corruption, exerting great efforts to improve its style of work and make itself clean and honest.

Fourth, upholding democratic centralism. Democratic centralism is a combination of centralism on the basis of democracy and democracy under centralized guidance. It is the fundamental organizational principle of the Party and is also the mass line applied in the Party's political activities. Within the Party, democracy and the initiative and creativity of Party organizations at all levels as well as the vast number of Party members must be given full play. Correct centralism must be practiced so as to ensure concerted action in the whole Party and prompt and effective implementation of its decisions. The sense of organization and discipline must be strengthened, and all members are equal before Party discipline. Supervision over leading organs of the Party and over Party members holding leading positions must be strengthened and the system of inner-Party supervision constantly improved. In its internal political activities, the Party conducts criticism and self-criticism in the correct way, waging ideological struggles over matters of principles, upholding truth and rectifying mistakes. Diligent efforts must be made to create a political situation in which there are both centralism and democracy, both discipline and freedom, both unity of will and personal ease of mind and liveliness.

Leadership by the Party means mainly political, ideological and organizational leadership. The Party must meet the requirements of reform, opening up and the socialist modernization drive and strengthen and improve its leadership. Acting on the principle that the Party commands the overall situation and coordinates the efforts of all quarters, the Party must play the role as the core of leadership among all other organizations at the corresponding levels. It must concentrate on leading economic development, organize and coordinate all forces in a concerted effort to focus on economic development. The Party must practice democratic and scientific decision-making; formulate and implement the correct line, principles and policies; do its organizational, publicity and educational work well and make sure that all Party members play an exemplary and vanguard role. The Party must conduct its activities within the framework of the Constitution and other laws. It must see to it that the legislative, judicial and administrative organs of the state and the economic, cultural and people's organizations work with initiative and independent responsibility and in harmony. The Party must strengthen its leadership over the trade unions, the Communist Youth League organizations, the women's federations and other mass organizations, and give full scope to their roles. The Party must adapt itself to the march of events and changing circumstances, improving its system and style of leadership and raising its governing capacity. Party members must work in close cooperation with the vast number of non-Party people in the common endeavor to build socialism with Chinese characteristics.

Chapter I Membership

Article 1 Any Chinese worker, farmer, member of the armed forces, intellectual or any advanced element of other social strata who has reached the age of eighteen and who accepts the Party's Program and Constitution and is willing to join and work actively in one of the Party organizations, carry out the Party's decisions and pay membership dues regularly may apply for membership in the Communist Party of China.

Article 2 Members of the Communist Party of China are vanguard fighters of the Chinese working class imbued with communist consciousness.

Members of the Communist Party of China must serve the people wholeheartedly, dedicate their whole lives to the realization of communism, and be ready to make any personal sacrifices.

Members of the Communist Party of China are at all times ordinary members of the working people. Communist Party members must not seek personal gain or privileges, although the relevant laws and policies provide them with personal benefits and job-related functions and powers.

Article 3 Party members must fulfill the following duties:

(1) To conscientiously study Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of Three Represents, study the Party's line, principles, policies and decisions, acquire essential knowledge concerning the Party, obtain general, scientific and professional knowledge and work diligently to enhance their ability to serve the people.

(2) To implement the Party's basic line, principles and policies, take the lead in reform, opening up and socialist modernization, encourage the people to work hard for economic development and social progress and play an exemplary and vanguard role in production, work, study and social activities.

(3) To adhere to the principle that the interests of the Party and the people stand above everything else, subordinating their personal interests to the interests of the Party and the people, being the first to bear hardships and the last to enjoy comforts, working selflessly for the public interests and working to contribute more.

(4) To conscientiously observe the Party discipline, abide by the laws and regulations of the state in an exemplary way, rigorously guard secrets of the Party and state, execute the Party's decisions, and accept any job and actively fulfill any task assigned them by the Party.

(5) To uphold the Party's solidarity and unity, be loyal to and honest with the Party, match words with deeds, firmly oppose all factions and small-clique activities and oppose double-dealing and scheming of any kind.

(6) To earnestly engage in criticism and self-criticism, boldly expose and correct shortcomings and mistakes in work and resolutely combat corruption and other malpractices.

(7) To maintain close ties with the masses, disseminate the Party's views among them, consult with them when problems arise, keep the Party informed of their views and demands in good time and defend their legitimate interests.

(8) To promote new socialist ways and customs and advocate communist ethics. To step forward and fight bravely in times of difficulty or danger, daring to make any sacrifice to defend the interests of the country and the people.

Article 4 Party members enjoy the following rights:

(1) To attend relevant Party meetings, read relevant Party documents, and benefit from the Party's education and training.

(2) To participate in the discussion of questions concerning the Party's policies at Party meetings and in Party newspapers and journals.

(3) To make suggestions and proposals regarding the work of the Party.

(4) To make well-grounded criticism of any Party organization or member at Party meetings, to present information or charges against any Party organization or member concerning violations of discipline or the law to the Party in a responsible way, to demand disciplinary measures against such a member, or call for dismissal or replacement of any incompetent cadre.

(5) To participate in voting and elections and to stand for election.

(6) To attend, with the right of self-defense, discussions held by Party organizations to decide on disciplinary measures to be taken against themselves or to appraise their work and behavior; other Party members may also bear witness or argue on their behalf.

(7) In case of disagreement with a Party decision or policy, to make reservations and present their views to Party organizations at higher levels even up to the Central Committee, provided that they resolutely carry out the decision or policy while it is in force.

(8) To put forward any request, appeal, or complaint to higher Party organizations even up to the Central Committee and ask the organizations concerned for a responsible reply.

No Party organization, up to and including the Central Committee, has the right to deprive any Party member of the above-mentioned rights.

Article 5 New Party members must be admitted through a Party branch, and the principle of individual admission must be adhered to.

An applicant for Party membership must fill in an application form and be recommended by two full Party members. The application must be accepted at a general membership meeting of the Party branch concerned and approved by the next higher Party organization, and the applicant must undergo observation for a probationary period before being granted full membership.

Party members who recommend an applicant must make genuine efforts to acquaint themselves with the applicant's ideology, character, personal record and work performance and explain to each applicant the Party's program and Constitution, qualifications for membership and the duties and rights of members, and must make a responsible report to the Party organization on the matter.

The Party branch committee must canvass the opinions of persons concerned, inside and outside the Party, about an applicant for Party membership and, after establishing the latter's qualification following rigorous examination, submit the application to a general membership meeting for discussion.

Before approving the admission of applicants for Party membership, the next higher Party organization concerned must appoint people to talk with them, in order to get to know them better and help deepen their understanding of the Party.

In special circumstances, the Central Committee of the Party or the Party committee of a province, autonomous region or municipality directly under the Central Government may admit new Party members directly.

Article 6 A probationary Party member must take an admission oath in front of the Party flag. The oath reads: It is my will to join the Communist Party of China, uphold the Party's program, observe the provisions of the Party Constitution, fulfill a Party member's duties, carry out the Party's decisions, strictly observe Party discipline, guard Party secrets, be loyal to the Party, work hard, fight for communism throughout my life, be ready at all times to sacrifice my all for the Party and the people, and never betray the Party.

Article 7 The probationary period of a probationary member is one year. The Party organization should make serious efforts to educate and observe the probationary members.

Probationary members have the same duties as full members. They enjoy the rights of full members except those of participating in voting and elections and standing for election.

Upon the expiration of the probationary period of a probationary member, the Party branch concerned should promptly discuss whether he is qualified for full membership. A probationary member who conscientiously performs his duties and is qualified for full membership shall be granted full membership as scheduled; if continued observation and education are needed, the probationary period may be extended, but by no more than one year; if a probationary member fails to perform his duties and is found to be unqualified for full membership, his probationary membership shall be annulled. Any decision to grant a probationary member full membership, extend a probationary period, or annul a probationary membership must be made through discussion held by the general membership meeting of the Party branch concerned and approved by the next higher Party organization.

The probationary period of a probationary member begins from the day the general membership meeting of the Party branch admits him as a probationary member. The Party standing of a member begins from the day he is granted full membership on the expiration of the probationary period.

Article 8 Every Party member, irrespective of position, must be organized into a branch, cell or other specific unit of the Party to participate in the regular activities of the Party organization and accept supervision by the masses inside and outside the Party. Leading Party cadres must attend democratic meetings held by the Party committee or leading Party members' groups. There shall be no privileged Party members who do not participate in the regular activities of the Party organization and do not accept supervision by the masses inside and outside the Party.

Article 9 Party members are free to withdraw from the Party. When a Party member asks to withdraw, the Party branch concerned shall, after discussion by its general membership meeting, remove his name from the Party rolls, make the removal public and report it to the next higher Party organization for the record.

The Party branch shall try to educate the Party member who lacks revolutionary will, fails to fulfill the duties of a Party member, or is not qualified for membership and require him to correct his mistakes within the time. If he remains incorrigible after education, he should be persuaded to withdraw from the Party. The case shall be discussed and decided by the general membership meeting of the Party branch concerned and submitted to the next higher Party organization for approval. If the Party member being persuaded to withdraw refuses to do so, the case shall be submitted to the general membership meeting of the Party branch concerned for discussion to decide on the removal of his name from the Party rolls, after which the decision shall be submitted to the next higher Party organization for approval.

A Party member who fails to take part in regular Party activities, pay membership dues or do work assigned by the Party for six successive months without good reason is regarded as having given up membership. The general membership meeting of the Party branch concerned shall decide on the removal of such a person's name from the Party rolls and report it to the next higher Party organization for approval.

Chapter II Organization System of the Party

Article 10 The Party is an integral body organized under its program and Constitution on the principle of democratic centralism. The basic principles of democratic centralism as practiced by the Party are as follows:

(1) Individual Party members are subordinate to the Party organization, the minority is subordinate to the majority, the lower Party organizations are subordinate to the higher Party organizations, and all the constituent organizations and members of the Party are subordinate to the National Congress and the Central committee of the Party.

(2) The Party's leading bodies at all levels are elected except for the representative organs dispatched by them and the leading Party members' groups in non-Party organizations.

(3) The highest leading body of the Party is the National Congress and the Central Committee elected by it. The leading bodies of local Party organizations are the Party congresses at their respective levels and the Party committees elected by them. Party committees are responsible, and report their work, to the Party congresses at their respective levels.

(4) Higher Party organizations shall pay constant attention to the views of lower organizations and the rank-and-file Party members, and solve in good time the problems they raise. Lower Party organizations shall report on their work to, and request instructions from, higher Party organizations; at the same time, they shall handle, independently and in a responsible manner, matters within their jurisdiction. Higher and lower Party organizations should exchange information and support and supervise each other. Party organizations at all levels should enable Party members to keep well informed of inner-Party affairs and to have as many opportunities as possible to involve themselves in them.

(5) Party committees at all levels function on the principle of combining collective leadership with individual responsibility based on division of labor. All major issues shall be decided upon by the Party committees after discussion in accordance with the principle of collective leadership, democratic centralism, individual consultations and decision by meetings. The members of the Party committees should earnestly perform their duties in accordance with the collective decisions taken and division of labor.

(6) The Party forbids all forms of personality cult. It is necessary to ensure that the activities of the Party leaders are subject to the supervision of the Party and the people, and at the same time to uphold the prestige of all the leaders who represent the interests of the Party and the people.

Article 11 The election of delegates to Party congresses and of members of Party committees at all levels should reflect the will of the voters. Elections shall be held by secret ballot. The lists of candidates shall be submitted to the Party organizations and voters for full deliberation and discussion. The election procedure in which the number of candidates nominated is greater than the number of persons to be elected may be used directly in a formal election or this procedure may be used first in a preliminary election in order to draw up a list of candidates for the formal election. The voters have the right to inquire about the candidates, demand a change or reject one in favor of another. No organization or individual shall in any way compel voters to elect or not to elect any candidate.

If any violation of the Party Constitution occurs in the election of delegates to a local Party congress or to Party congresses at the primary level, the Party committee at the next higher level, after investigation and verification, should decide to declare the election invalid and take appropriate measures. The decision shall be reported to the Party committee at the next higher level for checking and approval before it is formally announced and implemented.

Article 12 When necessary, the Central Committee of the Party and the local Party committees at all levels will convene conferences of delegates to discuss and decide on major problems that require timely solution. The number of delegates to such conferences and the procedure governing their election shall be determined by the Party committees convening them.

Article 13 The formation of a new Party organization or the dissolution of an existing one shall be decided upon by the higher Party organizations.

The Central Committee of the Party and the local Party committees at all levels may send out their representative organs.

When the congress of a local Party organization at any level or the congress of Party organization at the primary level is not in session, the next higher Party organization may, when it deems it necessary, transfer or appoint responsible members of that organization.

Article 14 When making decisions on important questions affecting the lower organizations, the leading bodies of the Party at all levels should, under normal circumstances, solicit opinions of the lower organizations. Measures should be taken to ensure that the lower organizations can exercise their functions and powers normally. Except in special circumstances, higher leading bodies should not interfere with matters that ought to be handled by lower organizations.

Article 15 Only the Central Committee of the Party has the power to make decisions on major policies of a nationwide character. Party organizations of various departments and localities may make suggestions with regard to such policies to the Central Committee, but shall not make any decisions or publicize their views outside the Party without authorization.

Lower Party organizations must firmly implement the decisions of higher Party organizations. If lower organizations consider that any decisions of higher organizations do not suit the specific conditions in their localities or departments, they may demand modification. If the higher organizations insist on their original decisions, the lower organizations must carry out such decisions and refrain from publicly voicing their differences, but retain the right to report to the next higher Party organization.

Newspapers, journals and other means of publicity run by Party organizations at all levels must disseminate the line, principles, policies and decisions of the Party.

Article 16 When discussing and making decisions on any matter, Party organizations must keep to the principle of subordination of the minority to the majority. A vote must be taken when major issues are decided on. Serious consideration should be given to the differing views of a minority. In case of controversy over major issues in which supporters of the two opposing views are nearly equal in number, except in emergencies where action must betaken in accordance with the majority view, the decision should be put off to allow for further investigation, study and exchange of opinions followed by another vote. Under special circumstances, the controversy may be reported to the next higher Party organization for a ruling.

When, on behalf of the Party organization, an individual Party member is to express views on major issues beyond the scope of the existing decisions of the Party organizations, the content must be referred to the Party organization for prior discussion and decision, or referred to the next higher Party organization for instructions. No Party member, whatever his position, is allowed to make decisions on major issues on his own. In an emergency, when a decision by an individual is unavoidable, the matter must be reported to the Party organization immediately afterwards. No leader is allowed to take decisions arbitrarily on his own or to place himself above the Party organization.

Article 17 The central, local and primary organizations of the Party must all pay great attention to Party building. They shall regularly discuss and examine the Party's work in publicity, education, organization and discipline inspection, its mass work and united front work. They must carefully study ideological and political developments inside and outside the Party.

Chapter III Central Organizations of the Party

Article 18 The National Congress of the Party is held once every five years and convened by the Central Committee. It may be convened before the normally scheduled date if the Central Committee deems it necessary or if more than one-third of the organizations at the provincial level so request. Except under extraordinary circumstances, the Congress may not be postponed.

The number of delegates to the National Congress of the Party and the procedure governing their election shall be determined by the Central Committee.

Article 19 The functions and powers of the National Congress of the Party are as follows:

(1) To hear and examine the reports of the Central Committee;

(2) To hear and examine the reports of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection;

(3) To discuss and decide on major questions concerning the Party;

(4) To revise the Constitution of the Party;

(5) To elect the Central Committee; and

(6) To elect the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Article 20 The powers and functions of the National Conference of the Party are as follows: to discuss and make decisions on major questions; and to replace members and elect additional members of the Central Committee and the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. The number of members and alternate members of the Central Committee to be replaced or newly elected shall not exceed one-fifth of the respective totals of members and alternate members of the Central Committee elected by the National Congress of the Party.

Article 21 The Central Committee of the Party is elected for a term of five years. However, when the next National Congress is convened before or after its normally scheduled date, the term shall be correspondingly shortened or extended. Members and alternate members of the Central Committee must have a Party standing of five years or more. The number of members and alternate members of the Central Committee shall be determined by the National Congress. Vacancies on the Central Committee shall be filled by its alternate members in the order of the number of votes by which they were elected.

The Central Committee of the Party meets in plenary session at least once a year, and such sessions are convened by its Political Bureau.

When the National Congress is not in session, the Central Committee carries out its decisions, directs the entire work of the Party and represents the Communist Party of China in its external relations.

Article 22 The Political Bureau, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Party are elected by the Central Committee in plenary session. The General Secretary of the Central Committee must be a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau.

When the Central Committee is not in session, the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee exercise the functions and powers of the Central Committee.

The Secretariat of the Central Committee is the working body of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and its Standing Committee. The members of the Secretariat are nominated by the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and are subject to endorsement by the Central Committee in plenary session.

The General Secretary of the Central Committee is responsible for convening the meetings of the Political Bureau and its Standing Committee and presides over the work of the Secretariat.

The members of the Military Commission of the Central Committee are decided on by the Central Committee.

The central leading bodies and leaders elected by each Central Committee shall, when the next National Congress is in session, continue to preside over the Party's day-to-day work until the new central leading bodies and leaders are elected by the next Central Committee.

Article 23 Party organizations in the Chinese People's Liberation Army carry on their work in accordance with the instructions of the Central Committee. The political work organ of the Military Commission of the Central Committee is the General Political Department of the Chinese People's Liberation Army; the General Political Department directs Party and political work in the army. The organizational system and organs of the Party in the armed forces are prescribed by the Military Commission of the Central Committee.

Chapter IV Local Organizations of the Party

Article 24 The Party congress of a province, autonomous region, municipality directly under the Central Government, city divided into districts, or autonomous prefecture is held once every five years.

The Party congress of a county (banner), autonomous county, city not divided into districts, or municipal district is held once every five years.

Local Party congresses are convened by the Party committees at the corresponding levels. Under extraordinary circumstances, they may be held before or after their normally scheduled dates upon approval by the next higher Party committees.

The number of delegates to the local Party congresses at any level and the procedure governing their election are determined by the Party committees at the corresponding levels and should be reported to the next higher Party committees for approval.

Article 25 The functions and powers of the local Party congresses at all levels are as follows:

(1) To hear and examine the reports of the Party committees at the corresponding levels;

(2) To hear and examine the reports of the commissions for discipline inspection at the corresponding levels;

(3) To discuss and decide on major issues in the given areas; and

(4) To elect the Party committees and commissions for discipline inspection at the corresponding levels.

Article 26 The Party committee of a province, autonomous region, municipality directly under the Central Government, city divided into districts, or autonomous prefecture is elected for a term of five years. The members and alternate members of such a committee must have a Party standing of five years or more.

The Party committee of a county (banner), autonomous county, city not divided into districts, or municipal district is elected for a term of five years. The members and alternate members of such a committee must have a Party standing of three years or more.

When local Party congresses at various levels are convened before or after their normally scheduled dates, the terms of the committees elected by the previous congresses shall be correspondingly shortened or extended.

The number of members and alternate members of the local Party committees at various levels shall be determined by the next higher committees. Vacancies on the local Party committees at various levels shall be filled by their alternate members in the order of the number of votes by which they were elected.

The local Party committees at various levels meet in plenary session at least twice a year.

Local Party committees at various levels shall, when the Party congresses of the given areas are not in session, carry out the directives of the next higher Party organizations and the decisions of the Party.

Congresses at the corresponding levels, direct work in their own areas and report on it to the next higher Party committees at regular intervals.

Article 27 Local Party committees at various levels elect, at their plenary sessions, their standing committees, secretaries and deputy secretaries and report the results to the higher Party committees for approval. The standing committees of local Party committees at various levels exercise the powers and functions of local Party committees when the latter are not in session. They continue to handle the day-to-day work when the next Party congresses at their levels are in session, until the new standing committees are elected.

Article 28 A prefectural Party committee, or an organization analogous to it, is the representative organ dispatched by a provincial or an autonomous regional Party committee to a prefecture covering several counties, autonomous counties or cities. It exercises leadership over the work in the given region as authorized by the provincial or autonomous regional Party committee.

Chapter V Primary Organizations of the Party

Article 29 Primary Party organizations are formed in enterprises, rural areas, government departments, schools, scientific research institutes, communities, mass organizations, intermediaries, companies of the People's Liberation Army and other basic units, where there are at least three full Party members.

In primary organizations, primary Party committees and committees of general Party branches or Party branches are set up as the work requires and according to the number of Party members, subject to approval by the higher Party organizations. A primary Party committee is elected by a general membership meeting or a delegate meeting. The committee of a general Party branch or a Party branch is elected by a general membership meeting.

Article 30 A Primary Party committee is elected for a term of three to five years, while a general Party branch committee or a Party branch committee is elected for a term of two or three years. Results of the election of a secretary and deputy secretaries by a primary Party committee, general branch committee or branch committee shall be reported to the higher Party organizations for approval.

Article 31 The primary Party organizations are militant bastions of the Party in the basic units of society, where all the Party's work proceeds and they serve as the foundation of its fighting capacity. Their main tasks are:

(1) To disseminate and carry out the Party's line, principles and policies, the decisions of the Central Committee of the Party and other higher Party organizations, and their own decisions; to give full play to the exemplary, vanguard role of Party members, and to unite and organize the cadres and the rank of file inside and outside the Party to fulfill the tasks of their own units.

(2) To organize Party members to conscientiously study Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the important thought of Three Represents, the Party's line, principles, policies and decisions, acquire essential knowledge concerning the Party and obtain general, scientific and professional knowledge.

(3) To educate and supervise Party members, raise the overall quality of the Party membership, cultivate their Party spirit, ensure their regular participation in the activities of the Party organizations, make criticism and self-criticism, maintain and observe Party discipline, see that Party members truly fulfill their duties and protect their rights from encroachment.

(4) To maintain close ties with the masses, constantly seek their criticisms and opinions regarding Party members and the Party's work, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the masses and do effective ideological and political work among them.

(5) To give full scope to the initiative and creativeness of Party members and the masses and to discover, nurture and recommend fine, talented people from among Party members and the masses and encourage them to contribute their skills and learning to the reform, opening up and the socialist modernization drive.

(6) To educate and train the activists who apply for Party membership, attend to the routine work concerning the recruitment of new members and attach great importance to recruiting Party members from among those in the forefront of production and work and from among young people.

(7) To see to it that Party and non-Party cadres strictly observe the law and administrative discipline and the financial and economic statutes and personnel regulations of the state and that none of them infringe on the interests of the state, the collective or the masses.

(8) To encourage Party members and the masses to conscientiously resist unhealthy practices and wage resolute struggles against all illegal and criminal activities.

Article 32 The primary Party committees in communities, townships and towns and the Party organizations in villages and communities provide leadership for the work in their localities and assist administrative departments, economic institutions and self-governing mass organizations in fully exercising their functions and powers.

In a state-owned or collective enterprise, the primary Party organization acts as the political nucleus and works for the operation of the enterprise. The primary Party organization guarantees and supervises the implementation of the principles and policies of the Party and the state in its own enterprise and backs the meeting of shareholders, board of directors, board of supervisors and manager (factory director) in the exercise of their functions and powers according to law. It relies wholeheartedly on the workers and office staff, supports the work of the congresses of representatives of workers and office staff and participates in making final decisions on major questions in the enterprise. It works to improve its own organization and provides leadership over ideological and political work, efforts for cultural and ethical progress and the trade unions, the Communist Youth League and other mass organizations.

In a non-public economic institution, the primary Party organization carries out the Party's principles and policies, provides guidance to and supervises the enterprise in observing the laws and regulations of the state, exercises leadership over the trade union, the Communist Youth League organization and other mass organizations, rallies the workers and office staff around it, safeguards the legitimate rights and interests of all quarters and stimulates the healthy development of the enterprise.

In an institution where the administrative leaders assume full responsibility, the primary Party organization acts as the political nucleus. In an institution where the administrative leaders assume full responsibility under the leadership of the Party committee, the primary Party organization discusses and decides on major issues and at the same time ensures that the administrative leaders are able to fully exercise their functions and powers.

In offices of the Party or the state at all levels, the primary Party organizations assist the chief administrators in fulfilling their tasks and improving their work. They exercise supervision over all Party members, including the chief administrators who are Party members, but do not direct the work of their units.

Chapter VI Party Cadres

Article 33 Party cadres are the backbone of the Party's cause and public servants of the people. The Party selects its cadres according to the principle that they should possess both political integrity and professional competence, adheres to the practice of appointing people on their merits and opposes favoritism; it exerts genuine efforts to make the ranks of the cadres more revolutionary, younger in average age, better educated and more professionally competent.

The Party attaches great importance to education, training, selection and assessment of cadres, especially to the training and selection of outstanding young cadres. The Party actively promotes the reform of the cadre system.

The Party attaches great importance to the training and promotion of women cadres and cadres from among the ethnic minorities.

Article 34 Leading Party cadres at all levels must show exemplary performance in carrying out their duties as Party members prescribed in Article 3 of this Constitution and must meet the following basic requirements:

(1) Know Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory well enough to perform their duties, earnestly put the important thought of Three Represents into practice, try hard to analyze and solve practical problems with the stand, viewpoint and methods of Marxism, keep stressing study, political awareness and integrity, and be able to stand the test of all trials and tribulations.

(2) Have the grand ideal of communism and firm conviction in socialism with Chinese characteristics, firmly implement the Party's basic line, principles and policies, be determined to carry out the reform and opening to the outside world, devote themselves to the cause of modernization and work hard to start undertakings and make solid achievements in socialist construction.

(3) Persist in emancipating their minds, seeking truth from facts, keeping pace with the times and blazing new trails in a pioneering spirit; conduct earnest investigations and studies so as to be able to integrate the Party's principles and policies with the actual conditions in their localities or departments and work efficiently; tell the truth, do practical work, seek tangible results and oppose formalism.

(4) Be fervently dedicated to the revolutionary cause and imbued with a strong sense of political responsibility, have practical experience, and be qualified for leading posts in organizational ability, general education and vocational knowledge.

(5) Properly exercise the power invested in them by the people, handle matters according to law, be upright and clean and work diligently for the people, set an example by their own actions, work hard and live simply, maintain close ties with the masses, uphold the Party's mass line, conscientiously accept the criticism and supervision of the Party and the masses, exercise self-respect, self-examination, self-caution and self-motivation, combat bureaucratism, and fight against malpractices such as abuse of power for personal gain.

(6) Uphold the Party's system of democratic centralism, maintain a democratic style of work, take the overall situation into consideration, and be good at uniting and working with other comrades, including those who hold differing opinions.

Article 35 Party cadres should be able to cooperate with non-Party cadres, respect them and be open-minded in learning from their strong points.

Party organizations at all levels must be good at discovering and recommending talented non-Party cadres with practical learning for leading posts, and ensure that the latter enjoy authority commensurate with their posts and can fully play their roles.

Article 36 Leading Party cadres at all levels, whether elected through democratic procedure or appointed by a leading body, are not entitled to lifelong tenure, and they can be transferred from or relieved of their posts.

Cadres no longer fit to continue working due to old age or poor health should retire according to the regulations of the state.

Chapter VII Party Discipline

Article 37 Party discipline refers to the rules of conduct that must be observed by Party organizations at all levels and by all Party members. It is the guarantee that the unity and solidarity of the Party are safeguarded and that the tasks of the Party are accomplished. Party organizations must strictly observe and maintain Party discipline. A Communist Party member must conscientiously act within the bounds of Party discipline.

Article 38 Party organizations should criticize, educate or take disciplinary measures against members who violate Party discipline, depending on the nature and seriousness of their mistakes and in the spirit of "learning from past mistakes to avoid future ones, and curing the sickness to save the patient".

Party members who have seriously violated criminal law shall be expelled from the Party.

It is strictly forbidden in the Party to take any measures against a member that contravene the Party Constitution or the laws of the state, or to retaliate against or frame a member. Any offending organization or individual must be dealt with according to Party discipline and the laws of the state.

Article 39 There are five measures for enforcing Party discipline: warning, serious warning, removal from Party posts, probation within the Party, and expulsion from the Party.

The period for which a Party member is placed on probation shall not exceed two years. During that period, the Party member concerned has no right to participate in voting or elections or stand for election. A Party member who during that time truly rectifies his mistake shall have his rights as a Party member restored. Party members who refuse to mend their ways shall be expelled from the Party.

Expulsion is the ultimate Party disciplinary measure. In deciding on or approving an expulsion, Party organizations at all levels should study all the relevant facts and opinions and exercise extreme caution.

Article 40 Any disciplinary measure to be taken against a Party member must be discussed and decided on at a general membership meeting of the Party branch concerned, and reported to the primary Party committee concerned for approval. If the case is relatively important or complicated, or involves the expulsion of a member, it shall be reported to a Party commission for discipline inspection at or above the county level for examination and approval, in accordance with the specific situation. Under special circumstances, a Party committee or a commission for discipline inspection at or above the county level has the authority to decide directly on disciplinary measures to be taken against a Party member.

Any decision to remove a member or alternate member of the Central Committee or a local committee at any level from his posts within the Party, to place such a person on probation within the Party or to expel him from the Party must be approved by a two-thirds majority vote at a plenary meeting of the Party committee to which he belongs. In special circumstances, the decision may betaken first by the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee or the standing committee of a local Party committee, pending confirmation at the plenary meeting of the Party committee. Such a disciplinary measure against a member or alternate member of a local Party committee is subject to approval by the higher Party committee.

A member or alternate member of the Central Committee who has seriously violated the criminal law shall be expelled from the Party on decision by the Political Bureau of the Central Committee; a member or alternate member of a local Party committee who has seriously violated criminal law shall be expelled from the Party on decision by the standing committee of the Party committee at the corresponding level.

Article 41 When a Party organization is deciding on a disciplinary measure against a Party member, it should investigate and verify the facts in an objective way. The Party member in question must be informed of a decision regarding any disciplinary measure to be taken and of the facts on which it is based. The person concerned must be given a chance to account for himself and speak in his own defense. If the member does not accept the decision, he can appeal, and the Party organization concerned must promptly deal with or forward his appeal, and must not withhold or suppress it. Those who cling to erroneous views and unjustifiable demands shall be educated by criticism.

Article 42 If a Party organization fails to uphold Party discipline, it must be investigated.

In case a Party organization seriously violates Party discipline and is unable to rectify the mistake on its own, the next higher Party committee should, after verifying the facts and considering the seriousness of the case, decide on the reorganization or dissolution of the organization, report the decision to the Party committee at the next higher level for examination and approval, and then formally announce and carry out the decision.

Chapter VIII Party Organs for Discipline Inspection

Article 43 The Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection functions under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Party. The Party's local commissions for discipline inspection at all levels and primary commissions for discipline inspection function under the dual leadership of the Party committees at the corresponding levels and the next higher commissions for discipline inspection.

The Party's commissions for discipline inspection at all levels serve a term of the same duration as the Party committees at the corresponding levels.

The Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection elects, in plenary session, its standing committee, secretary and deputy secretaries and reports the results to the Central Committee for approval. Local commissions for discipline inspection at all levels elect, at their plenary sessions, their respective standing committees, secretaries and deputy secretaries. The results of the elections are subject to endorsement by the Party committees at the corresponding levels and should be reported to the next higher Party committees for approval. The question of whether a primary Party committee should set up a commission for discipline inspection or simply appoint a discipline inspection commissioner shall be determined by the next higher Party organization in light of the specific circumstances. The committees of general Party branches and Party branches shall have discipline inspection commissioners.

The Party's Central Commission for Discipline Inspection shall, when its work so requires, accredit discipline inspection groups or commissioners to Party or state organs at the central level. Leaders of the discipline inspection groups or discipline inspection commissioners may attend relevant meetings of the leading Party organizations in the said organs as non-voting participants. The leading Party organizations in the organs concerned must support their work.

Article 44 The main tasks of the Party's commissions for discipline inspection at all levels are as follows: to uphold the Constitution and other statutes of the Party, to check up on the implementation of the line, principles, policies and decisions of the Party and to assist the respective Party committees in improving the Party's style of work and in organizing and coordinating the work against corruption.

The commissions for discipline inspection at all levels shall frequently provide education for Party members on their duty to observe Party discipline and adopt decisions for the upholding of Party discipline; they shall supervise Party members holding leading positions in exercising their power; they shall examine and deal with relatively important or complicated cases of violation of the Constitution or other statutes of the Party by Party organizations or Party members and decide on or rescind disciplinary measures against Party members involved in such cases; they shall deal with complaints and appeals made by Party members; and they shall guarantee the rights of Party members.

The commissions for discipline inspection at all levels shall report to the Party committees at the corresponding levels on the results of their handling of cases of special importance or complexity, as well as on the problems encountered. The local commissions for discipline inspection at all levels and primary commissions for discipline inspection shall also present such reports to the higher commissions.

If a commission for discipline inspection at any level discovers any violation of Party discipline by a member of the Party committee at the corresponding level, it may take the initial step of verifying the facts and, if it is necessary to put a case on file, it should report to the Party committee at the corresponding level for approval, and if a member of the standing committee of the Party committee is involved, it should first report to the Party committee at the corresponding level and then to the commission for discipline inspection at the next higher level for approval.

Article 45 Higher commissions for discipline inspection have the power to examine the work of the lower commissions and to approve or modify their decisions on any case. If decisions so modified have already been ratified by the Party committee at the corresponding level, the modification must be approved by the next higher Party committee.

If a local commission for discipline inspection or a primary commission for discipline inspection does not agree with a decision made by the Party committee at the corresponding level in dealing with a case, it may demand the commission at the next higher level to reexamine the case; if a local or primary commission discovers cases of violation of Party discipline by the Party committee at the corresponding level or by its members, and if that Party committee fails to deal with them properly or at all, it has the right to appeal to the higher commission for assistance in dealing with such cases.

Chapter IX Leading Party Members' Groups

Article 46 A leading Party members' group may be formed in the leading body of a central or local state organ, people's organization, economic or cultural institution or other non-Party unit. The group plays the role of the core of leadership. Its main tasks are: to see to it that the Party's line, principles and policies are implemented, to discuss and decide on matters of major importance in its unit, to do well in managing affairs concerning cadres, to unite with the non-Party cadres and the masses in fulfilling the tasks assigned by the Party and the state and to guide the work of the Party organization of the unit and those directly under it.

Article 47 The composition of a leading Party members' group is decided by the Party organization that approves its establishment. The group shall have a secretary and, if necessary, deputy secretaries.

A leading Party members' group must accept the leadership of the Party organization that approves its establishment.

Article 48 Party committees may be set up in state organs which exercise centralized leadership over their subordinate units. The Central Committee of the Party shall provide the specific procedure for their establishment and define their functions, powers and tasks.

Chapter X Relationship Between the Party and the Communist Youth League

Article 49 The Communist Youth League of China is a mass organization of advanced young people under the leadership of the Communist Party of China; it is a school where a large number of young people learn about socialism with Chinese characteristics and about communism through practice; it is the Party's assistant and reserve force. The Central Committee of the Communist Youth League functions under the leadership of the Central Committee of the Party. The local chapters of the Communist Youth League are under the leadership of the Party committees at the corresponding levels and of the higher organizations of the League itself.

Article 50 Party committees at all levels must strengthen their leadership over the Communist Youth League organizations and pay attention to selecting and training League cadres. The Party must firmly support the Communist Youth League in the lively and creative performance of its work to suit the characteristics and needs of young people, and give full play to the League's role as a shock force and as a bridge linking the Party with great numbers of young people.

Those secretaries of League committees at or below the county level or in enterprises and institutions who are Party members may attend meetings of Party committees at the corresponding levels and meetings of their standing committees as non-voting participants.

Chapter XI Party Emblem and Flag

Article 51 The emblem of the Communist Party of China is a design of sickle and hammer.

Article 52 The flag of the Communist Party of China is a red flag highlighted by a golden Party emblem on it.

Article 53 The Party emblem and flag are the symbol and sign of the Communist Party of China. Party organizations at all levels and all Party members shall safeguard the sanctity of the Party emblem and flag. Party emblems and flags should be made and used according to regulations.


中国共产党章程

总 纲

中国共产党是中国工人阶级的先锋队,同时是中国人民和中华民族的先锋队,是中国特色社会主义事业的领导核心,代表中国先进生产力的发展要求,代表中国先进文化的前进方向,代表中国最广大人民的根本利益。党的最高理想和最终目标是实现共产主义。

中国共产党以马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想作为自己的行动指南。

马克思列宁主义揭示了人类社会历史发展的规律,它的基本原理是正确的,具有强大的生命力。中国共产党人追求的共产主义最高理想,只有在社会主义社会充分发 展和高度发达的基础上才能实现。社会主义制度的发展和完善是一个长期的历史过程。坚持马克思列宁主义的基本原理,走中国人民自愿选择的适合中国国情的道 路,中国的社会主义事业必将取得最终的胜利。

以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人,把马克思列宁主义的基本原理同中国革命的具体实践结合起来,创立了毛泽东思想。毛泽东思想是马克思列宁主义在中国 的运用和发展,是被实践证明了的关于中国革命和建设的正确的理论原则和经验总结,是中国共产党集体智慧的结晶。在毛泽东思想指引下,中国共产党领导全国各 族人民,经过长期的反对帝国主义、封建主义、官僚资本主义的革命斗争,取得了新民主主义革命的胜利,建立了人民民主专政的中华人民共和国;建国以后,顺利 地进行了社会主义改造,完成了从新民主主义到社会主义的过渡,确立了社会主义基本制度,发展了社会主义的经济、政治和文化。

十一届三中全会以来,以邓小平同志为主要代表的中国共产党人,总结建国以来正反两方面的经验,解放思想,实事求是,实现全党工作中心向经济建设的转移,实 行改革开放,开辟了社会主义事业发展的新时期,逐步形成了建设中国特色社会主义的路线、方针、政策,阐明了在中国建设社会主义、巩固和发展社会主义的基本 问题,创立了邓小平理论。邓小平理论是马克思列宁主义的基本原理同当代中国实践和时代特征相结合的产物,是毛泽东思想在新的历史条件下的继承和发展,是马 克思主义在中国发展的新阶段,是当代中国的马克思主义,是中国共产党集体智慧的结晶,引导着我国社会主义现代化事业不断前进。

十三届四中全会以来,以江泽民同志为主要代表的中国共产党人,在建设中国特色社会主义的实践中,加深了对什么是社会主义、怎样建设社会主义和建设什么样的 党、怎样建设党的认识,积累了治党治国新的宝贵经验,形成了“三个代表”重要思想。“三个代表”重要思想是对马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论的继 承和发展,反映了当代世界和中国的发展变化对党和国家工作的新要求,是加强和改进党的建设、推进我国社会主义自我完善和发展的强大理论武器,是中国共产党 集体智慧的结晶,是党必须长期坚持的指导思想。始终做到“三个代表”,是我们党的立党之本、执政之基、力量之源。

我国正处于并将长期处于社会主义初级阶段。这是在经济文化落后的中国建设社会主义现代化不可逾越的历史阶段,需要上百年的时间。我国的社会主义建设,必须 从我国的国情出发,走中国特色社会主义道路。在现阶段,我国社会的主要矛盾是人民日益增长的物质文化需要同落后的社会生产之间的矛盾。由于国内的因素和国 际的影响,阶级斗争还在一定范围内长期存在,在某种条件下还有可能激化,但已经不是主要矛盾。我国社会主义建设的根本任务,是进一步解放生产力,发展生产 力,逐步实现社会主义现代化,并且为此而改革生产关系和上层建筑中不适应生产力发展的方面和环节。必须坚持和完善公有制为主体、多种所有制经济共同发展的 基本经济制度,坚持和完善按劳分配为主体、多种分配方式并存的分配制度,鼓励一部分地区和一部分人先富起来,逐步消灭贫穷,达到共同富裕,在生产发展和社 会财富增长的基础上不断满足人民日益增长的物质文化需要。发展是我们党执政兴国的第一要务。各项工作都要把有利于发展社会主义社会的生产力,有利于增强社 会主义国家的综合国力,有利于提高人民的生活水平,作为总的出发点和检验标准。跨入新世纪,我国进入全面建设小康社会、加快推进社会主义现代化的新的发展 阶段。在新世纪新阶段,经济和社会发展的战略目标是,巩固和发展已经初步达到的小康水平,到建党一百年时,建成惠及十几亿人口的更高水平的小康社会;到建 国一百年时,人均国内生产总值达到中等发达国家水平,基本实现现代化。

中国共产党在社会主义初级阶段的基本路线是:领导和团结全国各族人民,以经济建设为中心,坚持四项基本原则,坚持改革开放,自力更生,艰苦创业,为把我国建设成为富强、民主、文明的社会主义现代化国家而奋斗。

中国共产党在领导社会主义事业中,必须坚持以经济建设为中心,其他各项工作都服从和服务于这个中心。要抓紧时机,加快发展,实施科教兴国战略和可持续发展 战略,充分发挥科学技术作为第一生产力的作用,依靠科技进步,提高劳动者素质,做到效益好、质量高、速度快,努力把经济建设搞上去。

坚持社会主义道路、坚持人民民主专政、坚持中国共产党的领导、坚持马克思列宁主义毛泽东思想这四项基本原则,是我们的立国之本。在社会主义现代化建设的整个过程中,必须坚持四项基本原则,反对资产阶级自由化。

坚持改革开放,是我们的强国之路。要从根本上改革束缚生产力发展的经济体制,坚持和完善社会主义市场经济体制;与此相适应,要进行政治体制改革和其他领域 的改革。开放包括对外对内的全面开放。要发展对外经济技术交流与合作,更多更好地利用外来资金、资源和技术,吸收和借鉴人类社会创造的一切文明成果,包括 西方发达国家的一切反映现代社会化生产规律的先进经营方式、管理方法。改革开放应当大胆探索,勇于开拓,在实践中开创新路。

中国共产党领导人民发展社会主义民主政治,建设社会主义政治文明。坚持扩大社会主义民主,健全社会主义法制,依法治国,建设社会主义法治国家,巩固人民民 主专政。坚持人民代表大会制度。坚持共产党领导的多党合作和政治协商制度。积极支持人民当家作主,切实保障人民管理国家事务和社会事务、管理经济和文化事 业的权利。广开言路,建立健全民主决策、民主监督的制度和程序。加强国家立法和法律实施工作,使国家各项工作逐步走上法制化轨道。加强社会治安综合治理, 保持社会长期稳定。依法坚决打击各种危害国家安全和利益、危害社会稳定和经济发展的犯罪活动和犯罪分子。严格区分和正确处理敌我矛盾和人民内部矛盾这两类 不同性质的矛盾。

中国共产党领导人民在建设物质文明、政治文明的同时,努力建设社会主义精神文明,实行依法治国和以德治国相结合。社会主义精神文明建设为经济建设和改革开 放提供强大的精神动力和智力支持,创造良好的社会环境。应当大力发展教育、科学、文化事业,尊重知识,尊重人才,提高全民族的思想道德素质和科学文化素 质,弘扬民族优秀传统文化,繁荣和发展社会主义文化。应当用党的基本路线和爱国主义、集体主义、社会主义思想教育党员和人民群众,增强民族自尊、自信和自 强精神,对党员还要进行共产主义远大理想教育,抵御资本主义和封建主义腐朽思想的侵蚀,扫除各种社会丑恶现象,努力使我国人民成为有理想、有道德、有文 化、有纪律的人民。

中国共产党坚持对人民解放军和其他人民武装力量的领导,加强人民解放军的建设,充分发挥人民解放军在巩固国防、保卫祖国和参加社会主义现代化建设中的作用。

中国共产党维护和发展国内各民族的平等、团结、互助关系,坚持实行和不断完善民族区域自治制度,积极培养、选拔少数民族干部,帮助各少数民族地区发展经济、文化,实现各民族的共同繁荣和全面进步。

中国共产党同全国各民族工人、农民、知识分子团结在一起,同各民主党派、无党派人士、各民族的爱国力量团结在一起,进一步发展和壮大由全体社会主义劳动 者、拥护社会主义的爱国者、拥护祖国统一的爱国者组成的最广泛的爱国统一战线。不断加强全国人民包括香港特别行政区同胞、澳门特别行政区同胞、台湾同胞和 海外侨胞的团结。按照“一个国家、两种制度”的方针,完成祖国统一的大业。

中国共产党主张积极发展对外关系,努力为我国的改革开放和现代化建设争取有利的国际环境。在国际事务中,坚持独立自主的和平外交政策,维护我国的独立和主 权,反对霸权主义和强权政治,维护世界和平,促进人类进步。在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、和平共处五项原则的基础上,发 展我国同世界各国的关系。不断发展我国同周边国家的睦邻友好关系,加强同发展中国家的团结与合作。按照独立自主、完全平等、互相尊重、互不干涉内部事务的 原则,发展我党同各国共产党和其他政党的关系。

中国共产党要领导全国各族人民实现社会主义现代化的宏伟目标,必须紧密围绕党的基本路线加强和改进党的建设。坚持党要管党、从严治党,发扬党的优良传统和 作风,不断提高党的领导水平和执政水平,提高拒腐防变和抵御风险的能力,不断增强党的阶级基础和扩大党的群众基础,不断提高党的创造力、凝聚力、战斗力, 使我们党始终走在时代前列,成为领导全国人民沿着中国特色社会主义道路不断前进的坚强核心。党的建设必须坚决实现以下四项基本要求:

第一,坚持党的基本路线。全党要用邓小平理论、“三个代表”重要思想和党的基本路线统一思想,统一行动,并且毫不动摇地长期坚持下去。必须把改革开放同四 项基本原则统一起来,全面落实党的基本路线,全面执行党在社会主义初级阶段的基本纲领,反对一切“左”的和右的错误倾向,要警惕右,但主要是防止“左”。 加强各级领导班子建设,选拔使用在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设中政绩突出、群众信任的干部,培养和造就千百万社会主义事业接班人,从组织上保证党的基本 路线和基本纲领的贯彻落实。

第二,坚持解放思想,实事求是,与时俱进。党的思想路线是一切从实际出发,理论联系实际,实事求是,在实践中检验真理和发展真理。全党必须坚持这条思想路 线,积极探索,大胆试验,开拓创新,创造性地开展工作,不断研究新情况,总结新经验,解决新问题,在实践中丰富和发展马克思主义。

第三,坚持全心全意为人民服务。党除了工人阶级和最广大人民群众的利益,没有自己特殊的利益。党在任何时候都把群众利益放在第一位,同群众同甘共苦,保持 最密切的联系,不允许任何党员脱离群众,凌驾于群众之上。党在自己的工作中实行群众路线,一切为了群众,一切依靠群众,从群众中来,到群众中去,把党的正 确主张变为群众的自觉行动。我们党的最大政治优势是密切联系群众,党执政后的最大危险是脱离群众。党风问题、党同人民群众联系问题是关系党生死存亡的问 题。党坚持不懈地反对腐败,加强党风建设和廉政建设。

第四,坚持民主集中制。民主集中制是民主基础上的集中和集中指导下的民主相结合。它既是党的根本组织原则,也是群众路线在党的生活中的运用。必须充分发扬 党内民主,发挥各级党组织和广大党员的积极性创造性。必须实行正确的集中,保证全党行动的一致,保证党的决定得到迅速有效的贯彻执行。加强组织性纪律性, 在党的纪律面前人人平等。加强对党的领导机关和党员领导干部的监督,不断完善党内监督制度。党在自己的政治生活中正确地开展批评和自我批评,在原则问题上 进行思想斗争,坚持真理,修正错误。努力造成又有集中又有民主,又有纪律又有自由,又有统一意志又有个人心情舒畅的生动活泼的政治局面。

党的领导主要是政治、思想和组织的领导。党要适应改革开放和社会主义现代化建设的要求,加强和改善党的领导。党必须按照总揽全局、协调各方的原则,在同级 各种组织中发挥领导核心作用。党必须集中精力领导经济建设,组织、协调各方面的力量,同心协力,围绕经济建设开展工作。党必须实行民主的科学的决策,制定 和执行正确的路线、方针、政策,做好党的组织工作和宣传教育工作,发挥全体党员的先锋模范作用。党必须在宪法和法律的范围内活动。党必须保证国家的立法、 司法、行政机关,经济、文化组织和人民团体积极主动地、独立负责地、协调一致地工作。党必须加强对工会、共产主义青年团、妇女联合会等群众组织的领导,充 分发挥它们的作用。党必须适应形势的发展和情况的变化,完善领导体制,改进领导方式,增强执政能力。共产党员必须同党外群众亲密合作,共同为建设中国特色 社会主义而奋斗。

第一章 党 员

第一条 年满十八岁的中国工人、农民、军人、知识分子和其他社会阶层的先进分子,承认党的纲领和章程,愿意参加党的一个组织并在其中积极工作、执行党的决议和按期交纳党费的,可以申请加入中国共产党。

第二条 中国共产党党员是中国工人阶级的有共产主义觉悟的先锋战士。

中国共产党党员必须全心全意为人民服务,不惜牺牲个人的一切,为实现共产主义奋斗终身。

中国共产党党员永远是劳动人民的普通一员。除了法律和政策规定范围内的个人利益和工作职权以外,所有共产党员都不得谋求任何私利和特权。

第三条 党员必须履行下列义务:

(一)认真学习马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想,学习党的路线、方针、政策及决议,学习党的基本知识,学习科学、文化和业务知识,努力提高为人民服务的本领。

(二)贯彻执行党的基本路线和各项方针、政策,带头参加改革开放和社会主义现代化建设,带动群众为经济发展和社会进步艰苦奋斗,在生产、工作、学习和社会生活中起先锋模范作用。

(三)坚持党和人民的利益高于一切,个人利益服从党和人民的利益,吃苦在前,享受在后,克己奉公,多做贡献。

(四)自觉遵守党的纪律,模范遵守国家的法律法规,严格保守党和国家的秘密,执行党的决定,服从组织分配,积极完成党的任务。

(五)维护党的团结和统一,对党忠诚老实,言行一致,坚决反对一切派别组织和小集团活动,反对阳奉阴违的两面派行为和一切阴谋诡计。

(六)切实开展批评和自我批评,勇于揭露和纠正工作中的缺点、错误,坚决同消极腐败现象作斗争。

(七)密切联系群众,向群众宣传党的主张,遇事同群众商量,及时向党反映群众的意见和要求,维护群众的正当利益。

(八)发扬社会主义新风尚,提倡共产主义道德,为了保护国家和人民的利益,在一切困难和危险的时刻挺身而出,英勇斗争,不怕牺牲。

第四条 党员享有下列权利:

(一)参加党的有关会议,阅读党的有关文件,接受党的教育和培训。

(二)在党的会议上和党报党刊上,参加关于党的政策问题的讨论。

(三)对党的工作提出建议和倡议。

(四)在党的会议上有根据地批评党的任何组织和任何党员,向党负责地揭发、检举党的任何组织和任何党员违法乱纪的事实,要求处分违法乱纪的党员,要求罢免或撤换不称职的干部。

(五)行使表决权、选举权,有被选举权。

(六)在党组织讨论决定对党员的党纪处分或作出鉴定时,本人有权参加和进行申辩,其他党员可以为他作证和辩护。

(七)对党的决议和政策如有不同意见,在坚决执行的前提下,可以声明保留,并且可以把自己的意见向党的上级组织直至中央提出。

(八)向党的上级组织直至中央提出请求、申诉和控告,并要求有关组织给以负责的答复。

党的任何一级组织直至中央都无权剥夺党员的上述权利。

第五条 发展党员,必须经过党的支部,坚持个别吸收的原则。

申请入党的人,要填写入党志愿书,要有两名正式党员作介绍人,要经过支部大会通过和上级党组织批准,并且经过预备期的考察,才能成为正式党员。

介绍人要认真了解申请人的思想、品质、经历和工作表现,向他解释党的纲领和党的章程,说明党员的条件、义务和权利,并向党组织作出负责的报告。

党的支部委员会对申请入党的人,要注意征求党内外有关群众的意见,进行严格的审查,认为合格后再提交支部大会讨论。

上级党组织在批准申请人入党以前,要派人同他谈话,作进一步的了解,并帮助他提高对党的认识。

在特殊情况下,党的中央和省、自治区、直辖市委员会可以直接接收党员。

第六条 预备党员必须面向党旗进行入党宣誓。誓词如下:我志愿加入中国共产党,拥护党的纲领,遵守党的章程,履行党员义务,执行党的决定,严守党的纪律,保守党的秘密,对党忠诚,积极工作,为共产主义奋斗终身,随时准备为党和人民牺牲一切,永不叛党。

第七条 预备党员的预备期为一年。党组织对预备党员应当认真教育和考察。

预备党员的义务同正式党员一样。预备党员的权利,除了没有表决权、选举权和被选举权以外,也同正式党员一样。

预备党员预备期满,党的支部应当及时讨论他能否转为正式党员。认真履行党员义务,具备党员条件的,应当按期转为正式党员;需要继续考察和教育的,可以延长 预备期,但不能超过一年;不履行党员义务,不具备党员条件的,应当取消预备党员资格。预备党员转为正式党员,或延长预备期,或取消预备党员资格,都应当经 支部大会讨论通过和上级党组织批准。

预备党员的预备期,从支部大会通过他为预备党员之日算起。党员的党龄,从预备期满转为正式党员之日算起。

第八条 每个党员,不论职务高低,都必须编入党的一个支部、小组或其他特定组织,参加党的组织生活,接受党内外群众的监督。党员领导干部还必须参加党委、党组的民主生活会。不允许有任何不参加党的组织生活、不接受党内外群众监督的特殊党员。

第九条 党员有退党的自由。党员要求退党,应当经支部大会讨论后宣布除名,并报上级党组织备案。

党员缺乏革命意志,不履行党员义务,不符合党员条件,党的支部应当对他进行教育,要求他限期改正;经教育仍无转变的,应当劝他退党。劝党员退党,应当经支 部大会讨论决定,并报上级党组织批准。如被劝告退党的党员坚持不退,应当提交支部大会讨论,决定把他除名,并报上级党组织批准。

党员如果没有正当理由,连续六个月不参加党的组织生活,或不交纳党费,或不做党所分配的工作,就被认为是自行脱党。支部大会应当决定把这样的党员除名,并报上级党组织批准。

第二章 党的组织制度

第十条 党是根据自己的纲领和章程,按照民主集中制组织起来的统一整体。党的民主集中制的基本原则是:

(一)党员个人服从党的组织,少数服从多数,下级组织服从上级组织,全党各个组织和全体党员服从党的全国代表大会和中央委员会。

(二)党的各级领导机关,除它们派出的代表机关和在非党组织中的党组外,都由选举产生。

(三)党的最高领导机关,是党的全国代表大会和它所产生的中央委员会。党的地方各级领导机关,是党的地方各级代表大会和它们所产生的委员会。党的各级委员会向同级的代表大会负责并报告工作。

(四)党的上级组织要经常听取下级组织和党员群众的意见,及时解决他们提出的问题。党的下级组织既要向上级组织请示和报告工作,又要独立负责地解决自己职 责范围内的问题。上下级组织之间要互通情报、互相支持和互相监督。党的各级组织要使党员对党内事务有更多的了解和参与。

(五)党的各级委员会实行集体领导和个人分工负责相结合的制度。凡属重大问题都要按照集体领导、民主集中、个别酝酿、会议决定的原则,由党的委员会集体讨论,作出决定;委员会成员要根据集体的决定和分工,切实履行自己的职责。

(六)党禁止任何形式的个人崇拜。要保证党的领导人的活动处于党和人民的监督之下,同时维护一切代表党和人民利益的领导人的威信。

第十一条 党的各级代表大会的代表和委员会的产生,要体现选举人的意志。选举采用无记名投票的方式。候选人名单要由党组织和选举人充分酝酿讨论。可以直接采用候选人 数多于应选人数的差额选举办法进行正式选举。也可以先采用差额选举办法进行预选,产生候选人名单,然后进行正式选举。选举人有了解候选人情况、要求改变候 选人、不选任何一个候选人和另选他人的权利。任何组织和个人不得以任何方式强迫选举人选举或不选举某个人。

党的地方各级代表大会和基层代表大会的选举,如果发生违反党章的情况,上一级党的委员会在调查核实后,应作出选举无效和采取相应措施的决定,并报再上一级党的委员会审查批准,正式宣布执行。

第十二条 党的中央和地方各级委员会在必要时召集代表会议,讨论和决定需要及时解决的重大问题。代表会议代表的名额和产生办法,由召集代表会议的委员会决定。

第十三条 凡是成立党的新组织,或是撤销党的原有组织,必须由上级党组织决定。

党的中央和地方各级委员会可以派出代表机关。

在党的地方各级代表大会和基层代表大会闭会期间,上级党的组织认为有必要时,可以调动或者指派下级党组织的负责人。

第十四条 党的各级领导机关,对同下级组织有关的重要问题作出决定时,在通常情况下,要征求下级组织的意见。要保证下级组织能够正常行使他们的职权。凡属应由下级组织处理的问题,如无特殊情况,上级领导机关不要干预。

第十五条 有关全国性的重大政策问题,只有党中央有权作出决定,各部门、各地方的党组织可以向中央提出建议,但不得擅自作出决定和对外发表主张。

党的下级组织必须坚决执行上级组织的决定。下级组织如果认为上级组织的决定不符合本地区、本部门的实际情况,可以请求改变;如果上级组织坚持原决定,下级组织必须执行,并不得公开发表不同意见,但有权向再上一级组织报告。

党的各级组织的报刊和其他宣传工具,必须宣传党的路线、方针、政策和决议。

第十六条 党组织讨论决定问题,必须执行少数服从多数的原则。决定重要问题,要进行表决。对于少数人的不同意见,应当认真考虑。如对重要问题发生争论,双方人数接 近,除了在紧急情况下必须按多数意见执行外,应当暂缓作出决定,进一步调查研究,交换意见,下次再表决;在特殊情况下,也可将争论情况向上级组织报告,请 求裁决。

党员个人代表党组织发表重要主张,如果超出党组织已有决定的范围,必须提交所在的党组织讨论决定,或向上级党组织请示。任何党员不论职务高低,都不能个人 决定重大问题;如遇紧急情况,必须由个人作出决定时,事后要迅速向党组织报告。不允许任何领导人实行个人专断和把个人凌驾于组织之上。

第十七条 党的中央、地方和基层组织,都必须重视党的建设,经常讨论和检查党的宣传工作、教育工作、组织工作、纪律检查工作、群众工作、统一战线工作等,注意研究党内外的思想政治状况。

第三章 党的中央组织

第十八条 党的全国代表大会每五年举行一次,由中央委员会召集。中央委员会认为有必要,或者有三分之一以上的省一级组织提出要求,全国代表大会可以提前举行;如无非常情况,不得延期举行。

全国代表大会代表的名额和选举办法,由中央委员会决定。

第十九条 党的全国代表大会的职权是:

(一)听取和审查中央委员会的报告;

(二)听取和审查中央纪律检查委员会的报告;

(三)讨论并决定党的重大问题;

(四)修改党的章程;

(五)选举中央委员会;

(六)选举中央纪律检查委员会。

第二十条 党的全国代表会议的职权是:讨论和决定重大问题;调整和增选中央委员会、中央纪律检查委员会的部分成员。调整和增选中央委员及候补中央委员的数额,不得超过党的全国代表大会选出的中央委员及候补中央委员各自总数的五分之一。

第二十一条 党的中央委员会每届任期五年。全国代表大会如提前或延期举行,它的任期相应地改变。中央委员会委员和候补委员必须有五年以上的党龄。中央委员会委员和候补 委员的名额,由全国代表大会决定。中央委员会委员出缺,由中央委员会候补委员按照得票多少依次递补。

中央委员会全体会议由中央政治局召集,每年至少举行一次。

在全国代表大会闭会期间,中央委员会执行全国代表大会的决议,领导党的全部工作,对外代表中国共产党。

第二十二条 党的中央政治局、中央政治局常务委员会和中央委员会总书记,由中央委员会全体会议选举。中央委员会总书记必须从中央政治局常务委员会委员中产生。

中央政治局和它的常务委员会在中央委员会全体会议闭会期间,行使中央委员会的职权。

中央书记处是中央政治局和它的常务委员会的办事机构;成员由中央政治局常务委员会提名,中央委员会全体会议通过。

中央委员会总书记负责召集中央政治局会议和中央政治局常务委员会会议,并主持中央书记处的工作。

党的中央军事委员会组成人员由中央委员会决定。

每届中央委员会产生的中央领导机构和中央领导人,在下届全国代表大会开会期间,继续主持党的经常工作,直到下届中央委员会产生新的中央领导机构和中央领导人为止。

第二十三条 中国人民解放军的党组织,根据中央委员会的指示进行工作。中央军事委员会的政治工作机关是中国人民解放军总政治部,总政治部负责管理军队中党的工作和政治工作。军队中党的组织体制和机构,由中央军事委员会作出规定。

第四章 党的地方组织

第二十四条 党的省、自治区、直辖市、设区的市和自治州的代表大会,每五年举行一次。

党的县(旗)、自治县、不设区的市和市辖区的代表大会,每五年举行一次。

党的地方各级代表大会由同级党的委员会召集。在特殊情况下,经上一级委员会批准,可以提前或延期举行。

党的地方各级代表大会代表的名额和选举办法,由同级党的委员会决定,并报上一级党的委员会批准。

第二十五条 党的地方各级代表大会的职权是:

(一)听取和审查同级委员会的报告;

(二)听取和审查同级纪律检查委员会的报告;

(三)讨论本地区范围内的重大问题并作出决议;

(四)选举同级党的委员会,选举同级党的纪律检查委员会。

第二十六条 党的省、自治区、直辖市、设区的市和自治州的委员会,每届任期五年。这些委员会的委员和候补委员必须有五年以上的党龄。

党的县(旗)、自治县、不设区的市和市辖区的委员会,每届任期五年。这些委员会的委员和候补委员必须有三年以上的党龄。

党的地方各级代表大会如提前或延期举行,由它选举的委员会的任期相应地改变。

党的地方各级委员会的委员和候补委员的名额,分别由上一级委员会决定。党的地方各级委员会委员出缺,由候补委员按照得票多少依次递补。

党的地方各级委员会全体会议,每年至少召开两次。

党的地方各级委员会在代表大会闭会期间,执行上级党组织的指示和同级党代表大会的决议,领导本地方的工作,定期向上级党的委员会报告工作。

第二十七条 党的地方各级委员会全体会议,选举常务委员会和书记、副书记,并报上级党的委员会批准。党的地方各级委员会的常务委员会,在委员会全体会议闭会期间,行使委员会职权;在下届代表大会开会期间,继续主持经常工作,直到新的常务委员会产生为止。

第二十八条 党的地区委员会和相当于地区委员会的组织,是党的省、自治区委员会在几个县、自治县、市范围内派出的代表机关。它根据省、自治区委员会的授权,领导本地区的工作。

第五章 党的基层组织

第二十九条 企业、农村、机关、学校、科研院所、街道社区、社会团体、社会中介组织、人民解放军连队和其他基层单位,凡是有正式党员三人以上的,都应当成立党的基层组织。

党的基层组织,根据工作需要和党员人数,经上级党组织批准,分别设立党的基层委员会、总支部委员会、支部委员会。基层委员会由党员大会或代表大会选举产生,总支部委员会和支部委员会由党员大会选举产生。

第三十条 党的基层委员会每届任期三年至五年,总支部委员会、支部委员会每届任期两年或三年。基层委员会、总支部委员会、支部委员会选出的书记、副书记,应报上级党组织批准。

第三十一条 党的基层组织是党在社会基层组织中的战斗堡垒,是党的全部工作和战斗力的基础。它的基本任务是:

(一)宣传和执行党的路线、方针、政策,宣传和执行党中央、上级组织和本组织的决议,充分发挥党员的先锋模范作用,团结、组织党内外的干部和群众,努力完成本单位所担负的任务。

(二)组织党员认真学习马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论和“三个代表”重要思想,学习党的路线、方针、政策及决议,学习党的基本知识,学习科学、文化和业务知识。

(三)对党员进行教育、管理和监督,提高党员素质,增强党性,严格党的组织生活,开展批评和自我批评,维护和执行党的纪律,监督党员切实履行义务,保障党员的权利不受侵犯。

(四)密切联系群众,经常了解群众对党员、党的工作的批评和意见,维护群众的正当权利和利益,做好群众的思想政治工作。

(五)充分发挥党员和群众的积极性创造性,发现、培养和推荐他们中间的优秀人才,鼓励和支持他们在改革开放和社会主义现代化建设中贡献自己的聪明才智。

(六)对要求入党的积极分子进行教育和培养,做好经常性的发展党员工作,重视在生产、工作第一线和青年中发展党员。

(七)监督党员干部和其他任何工作人员严格遵守国法政纪,严格遵守国家的财政经济法规和人事制度,不得侵占国家、集体和群众的利益。

(八)教育党员和群众自觉抵制不良倾向,坚决同各种违法犯罪行为作斗争。

第三十二条 街道、乡、镇党的基层委员会和村、社区党组织,领导本地区的工作,支持和保证行政组织、经济组织和群众自治组织充分行使职权。

国有企业和集体企业中党的基层组织,发挥政治核心作用,围绕企业生产经营开展工作。保证监督党和国家的方针、政策在本企业的贯彻执行;支持股东会、董事 会、监事会和经理(厂长)依法行使职权;全心全意依靠职工群众,支持职工代表大会开展工作;参与企业重大问题的决策;加强党组织的自身建设,领导思想政治 工作、精神文明建设和工会、共青团等群众组织。

非公有制经济组织中党的基层组织,贯彻党的方针政策,引导和监督企业遵守国家的法律法规,领导工会、共青团等群众组织,团结凝聚职工群众,维护各方的合法权益,促进企业健康发展。

实行行政领导人负责制的事业单位中党的基层组织,发挥政治核心作用。实行党委领导下的行政领导人负责制的事业单位中党的基层组织,对重大问题进行讨论和作 出决定,同时保证行政领导人充分行使自己的职权。各级党和国家机关中党的基层组织,协助行政负责人完成任务,改进工作,对包括行政负责人在内的每个党员进 行监督,不领导本单位的业务工作。

第六章 党的干部

第三十三条 党的干部是党的事业的骨干,是人民的公仆。党按照德才兼备的原则选拔干部,坚持任人唯贤,反对任人唯亲,努力实现干部队伍的革命化、年轻化、知识化、专业化。

党重视教育、培训、选拔和考核干部,特别是培养、选拔优秀年轻干部。积极推进干部制度改革。党重视培养、选拔女干部和少数民族干部。

第三十四条 党的各级领导干部必须模范地履行本章程第三条所规定的党员的各项义务,并且必须具备以下的基本条件:

(一)具有履行职责所需要的马克思列宁主义、毛泽东思想、邓小平理论的水平,认真实践“三个代表”重要思想,努力用马克思主义的立场、观点、方法分析和解决实际问题,坚持讲学习、讲政治、讲正气,经得起各种风浪的考验。

(二)具有共产主义远大理想和中国特色社会主义坚定信念,坚决执行党的基本路线和各项方针、政策,立志改革开放,献身现代化事业,在社会主义建设中艰苦创业,做出实绩。

(三)坚持解放思想,实事求是,与时俱进,开拓创新,认真调查研究,能够把党的方针、政策同本地区、本部门的实际相结合,卓有成效地开展工作,讲实话,办实事,求实效,反对形式主义。

(四)有强烈的革命事业心和政治责任感,有实践经验,有胜任领导工作的组织能力、文化水平和专业知识。

(五)正确行使人民赋予的权力,依法办事,清正廉洁,勤政为民,以身作则,艰苦朴素,密切联系群众,坚持党的群众路线,自觉地接受党和群众的批评和监督,做到自重、自省、自警、自励,反对官僚主义,反对任何滥用职权、谋求私利的不正之风。

(六)坚持和维护党的民主集中制,有民主作风,有全局观念,善于团结同志,包括团结同自己有不同意见的同志一道工作。

第三十五条 党员干部要善于同非党干部合作共事,尊重他们,虚心学习他们的长处。

党的各级组织要善于发现和推荐有真才实学的非党干部担任领导工作,保证他们有职有权,充分发挥他们的作用。

第三十六条 党的各级领导干部,无论是由民主选举产生的,或是由领导机关任命的,他们的职务都不是终身的,都可以变动或解除。

年龄和健康状况不适宜于继续担任工作的干部,应当按照国家的规定退、离休。

第七章 党的纪律

第三十七条 党的纪律是党的各级组织和全体党员必须遵守的行为规则,是维护党的团结统一、完成党的任务的保证。党组织必须严格执行和维护党的纪律,共产党员必须自觉接受党的纪律的约束。

第三十八条 党组织对违犯党的纪律的党员,应当本着惩前毖后、治病救人的精神,按照错误性质和情节轻重,给以批评教育直至纪律处分。

严重触犯刑律的党员必须开除党籍。

党内严格禁止用违反党章和国家法律的手段对待党员,严格禁止打击报复和诬告陷害。违反这些规定的组织或个人必须受到党的纪律和国家法律的追究。

第三十九条 党的纪律处分有五种:警告、严重警告、撤销党内职务、留党察看、开除党籍。

留党察看最长不超过两年。党员在留党察看期间没有表决权、选举权和被选举权。党员经过留党察看,确已改正错误的,应当恢复其党员的权利;坚持错误不改的,应当开除党籍。

开除党籍是党内的最高处分。各级党组织在决定或批准开除党员党籍的时候,应当全面研究有关的材料和意见,采取十分慎重的态度。

第四十条 对党员的纪律处分,必须经过支部大会讨论决定,报党的基层委员会批准;如果涉及的问题比较重要或复杂,或给党员以开除党籍的处分,应分别不同情况,报县级 或县级以上党的纪律检查委员会审查批准。在特殊情况下,县级和县级以上各级党的委员会和纪律检查委员会有权直接决定给党员以纪律处分。

对党的中央委员会和地方各级委员会的委员、候补委员,给以撤销党内职务、留党察看或开除党籍的处分,必须由本人所在的委员会全体会议三分之二以上的多数决 定。在特殊情况下,可以先由中央政治局和地方各级委员会常务委员会作出处理决定,待召开委员会全体会议时予以追认。对地方各级委员会委员和候补委员的上述 处分,必须经过上级党的委员会批准。

严重触犯刑律的中央委员会委员、候补委员,由中央政治局决定开除其党籍;严重触犯刑律的地方各级委员会委员、候补委员,由同级委员会常务委员会决定开除其党籍。

第四十一条 党组织对党员作出处分决定,应当实事求是地查清事实。处分决定所依据的事实材料和处分决定必须同本人见面,听取本人说明情况和申辩。如果本人对处分决定不 服,可以提出申诉,有关党组织必须负责处理或者迅速转递,不得扣压。对于确属坚持错误意见和无理要求的人,要给以批评教育。

第四十二条 党组织如果在维护党的纪律方面失职,必须受到追究。

对于严重违犯党的纪律、本身又不能纠正的党组织,上一级党的委员会在查明核实后,应根据情节严重的程度,作出进行改组或予以解散的决定,并报再上一级党的委员会审查批准,正式宣布执行。

第八章 党的纪律检查机关

第四十三条 党的中央纪律检查委员会在党的中央委员会领导下进行工作。党的地方各级纪律检查委员会和基层纪律检查委员会在同级党的委员会和上级纪律检查委员会双重领导下进行工作。

党的各级纪律检查委员会每届任期和同级党的委员会相同。

党的中央纪律检查委员会全体会议,选举常务委员会和书记、副书记,并报党的中央委员会批准。党的地方各级纪律检查委员会全体会议,选举常务委员会和书记、 副书记,并由同级党的委员会通过,报上级党的委员会批准。党的基层委员会是设立纪律检查委员会,还是设立纪律检查委员,由它的上一级党组织根据具体情况决 定。党的总支部委员会和支部委员会设纪律检查委员。

党的中央纪律检查委员会根据工作需要,可以向中央一级党和国家机关派驻党的纪律检查组或纪律检查员。纪律检查组组长或纪律检查员可以列席该机关党的领导组织的有关会议。他们的工作必须受到该机关党的领导组织的支持。

第四十四条 党的各级纪律检查委员会的主要任务是:维护党的章程和其他党内法规,检查党的路线、方针、政策和决议的执行情况,协助党的委员会加强党风建设和组织协调反腐败工作。

各级纪律检查委员会要经常对党员进行遵守纪律的教育,作出关于维护党纪的决定;对党员领导干部行使权力进行监督;检查和处理党的组织和党员违反党的章程和 其他党内法规的比较重要或复杂的案件,决定或取消对这些案件中的党员的处分;受理党员的控告和申诉;保障党员的权利。

各级纪律检查委员会要把处理特别重要或复杂的案件中的问题和处理的结果,向同级党的委员会报告。党的地方各级纪律检查委员会和基层纪律检查委员会要同时向上级纪律检查委员会报告。

各级纪律检查委员会发现同级党的委员会委员有违犯党的纪律的行为,可以先进行初步核实,如果需要立案检查的,应当报同级党的委员会批准,涉及常务委员的,经报告同级党的委员会后报上一级纪律检查委员会批准。

第四十五条 上级纪律检查委员会有权检查下级纪律检查委员会的工作,并且有权批准和改变下级纪律检查委员会对于案件所作的决定。如果所要改变的该下级纪律检查委员会的决定,已经得到它的同级党的委员会的批准,这种改变必须经过它的上一级党的委员会批准。

党的地方各级纪律检查委员会和基层纪律检查委员会如果对同级党的委员会处理案件的决定有不同意见,可以请求上一级纪律检查委员会予以复查;如果发现同级党 的委员会或它的成员有违犯党的纪律的情况,在同级党的委员会不给予解决或不给予正确解决的时候,有权向上级纪律检查委员会提出申诉,请求协助处理。

第九章 党 组

第四十六条 在中央和地方国家机关、人民团体、经济组织、文化组织和其他非党组织的领导机关中,可以成立党组。党组发挥领导核心作用。党组的任务,主要是负责贯彻执行 党的路线、方针、政策;讨论和决定本单位的重大问题;做好干部管理工作;团结非党干部和群众,完成党和国家交给的任务;指导机关和直属单位党组织的工作。

第四十七条 党组的成员,由批准成立党组的党组织决定。党组设书记,必要时还可以设副书记。

党组必须服从批准它成立的党组织领导。

第四十八条 对下属单位实行集中统一领导的国家工作部门可以建立党委,党委的产生办法、职权和工作任务,由中央另行规定。

第十章 党和共产主义青年团的关系

第四十九条 中国共产主义青年团是中国共产党领导的先进青年的群众组织,是广大青年在实践中学习中国特色社会主义和共产主义的学校,是党的助手和后备军。共青团中央委 员会受党中央委员会领导。共青团的地方各级组织受同级党的委员会领导,同时受共青团上级组织领导。

第五十条 党的各级委员会要加强对共青团的领导,注意团的干部的选拔和培训。党要坚决支持共青团根据广大青年的特点和需要,生动活泼地、富于创造性地进行工作,充分发挥团的突击队作用和联系广大青年的桥梁作用。

团的县级和县级以下各级委员会书记,企业事业单位的团委员会书记,是党员的,可以列席同级党的委员会和常务委员会的会议。

第十一章 党徽党旗

第五十一条 中国共产党党徽为镰刀和锤头组成的图案。

第五十二条 中国共产党党旗为旗面缀有金黄色党徽图案的红旗。

第五十三条 中国共产党的党徽党旗是中国共产党的象征和标志。党的各级组织和每一个党员都要维护党徽党旗的尊严。要按照规定制作和使用党徽党旗。