Law on Foreign Relations of the People's Republic of China

Law on Foreign Relations of the People's Republic of China

Order of the President of the People's Republic of China

(Order No. 7)

The Law on Foreign Relations of the People's Republic of China, as adopted at the 3rd Session of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress of the People's Republic of China on June 28, 2023, is hereby issued, and shall come into force on July 1, 2023.

Xi Jinping, President of the People's Republic of China

June 28, 2023

The Law on Foreign Relations of the People's Republic of China

(Adopted at the Third Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress on June 28, 2023)

Table of Contents

Chapter I General Principles

Chapter II Functions and Powers for the Conduct of Foreign Relations

Chapter III Goals and Mission of Conducting Foreign Relations

Chapter IV The System of Foreign Relations

Chapter V Support for the Conduct of Foreign Relations

Chapter VI Supplementary Provision

Chapter I General Principles

Article 1 This Law is enacted pursuant to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China to conduct foreign relations to: safeguard China's sovereignty, national security and development interests; protect and promote the interests of the Chinese people; build China into a great modernized socialist country; realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation; promote world peace and development; and build a community with a shared future for mankind.

Article 2 This Law shall apply to the conduct by the People's Republic of China of diplomatic relations with other countries, its exchanges and cooperation with them in the economic, cultural and other areas, and its relations with the United Nations and other international organizations.

Article 3 The People's Republic of China conducts foreign relations and promotes friendly exchanges under the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Important Thinking of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

Article 4 The People's Republic of China pursues an independent foreign policy of peace, and observes the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence.

The People's Republic of China keeps to a path of peaceful development and adheres to the fundamental policy of opening to the outside world and a strategy of opening-up for mutual benefit.

The People's Republic of China observes the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, and endeavors to safeguard world peace and security, promote global common development, and build a new type of international relations. It is committed to settling international disputes by peaceful means and opposes the use of force or threat of force in international relations, hegemonism and power politics. It remains true to the principle that all countries are equal regardless of size, strength or level of development and respects the development paths and social systems decided upon independently by the people of all countries.

Article 5 The conduct of foreign relations by the People's Republic of China is under the centralized and overall leadership of the Communist Party of China.

Article 6 The State institutions, armed forces, political parties, people's organizations, enterprises, public institutions, other social organizations, and citizens have the responsibility and obligation to safeguard China's sovereignty, national security, dignity, honor and interests in the course of international exchanges and cooperation.

Article 7 The State encourages friendly people-to-people exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries.

Those who make outstanding contribution to international exchanges and cooperation shall be honored and awarded pursuant to applicable regulations of the State.

Article 8 Any organization or individual who commits acts that are detrimental to China's national interests in violation of this Law and other applicable laws in the course of engaging in international exchanges shall be held accountable by law.

Chapter II Functions and Powers for the Conduct of Foreign Relations

Article 9 The central leading body for foreign affairs is responsible for policy making, deliberation and coordination relating to the conduct of foreign relations. It considers and formulates the State's foreign relations strategy and related major principles and policies, and provides guidance for their implementation. It is responsible for top-level design, coordination and holistic advancement of work concerning foreign relations, and supervises its implementation.

Article 10 The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee ratify or denounce treaties and important agreements concluded with other countries, and exercise functions and powers relating to foreign relations pursuant to the Constitution and other laws.

The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee actively conduct international exchanges, and strengthen exchanges and cooperation with parliaments of foreign countries as well as international and regional parliamentary organizations.

Article 11 The President of the People's Republic of China represents the People's Republic of China, conducts affairs of state, and exercises functions and powers relating to foreign relations pursuant to the Constitution and other laws.

Article 12 The State Council manages foreign affairs, concludes treaties and agreements with foreign countries, and exercises functions and powers relating to foreign relations pursuant to the Constitution and other laws.

Article 13 The Central Military Commission organizes and conducts international military exchanges and cooperation and exercises functions and powers relating to foreign relations pursuant to the Constitution and other laws.

Article 14 The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China conducts foreign affairs in accordance with the law and undertakes matters relating to diplomatic exchanges of Party and State leaders with foreign leaders. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs enhances guidance, coordination, management and service for international exchanges and cooperation conducted by other government departments and localities.

Other central and government departments conduct international exchanges and cooperation according to their respective scope of res......