General Rules Governing the Special Committees of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference

(Adopted at the Thirteenth Session of the Standing Committee of the Eighth CPPCC National Committee on June 5, 1995, amended at the Fourth Session of the Standing Committee of the Ninth CPPCC National Committee on March 1, 1999 and the Eighth Session of the Standing Committee of the Tenth CPPCC National Committee on February 28, 2005)Chapter I General ProvisionsArticle 1 In accordance with the stipulations of the Constitution of the Chinese People?ˉs Political Consultative Conference, the CPPCC National Committee shall establish a number of special committees.Article 2 Thespecial committees are a working body under the direction of the Standing Committee and the Chairmen?ˉs Meeting. The set-ups of the special committees and any change to them shall be determined by the Standing Committee.Article 3 Guided by Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory and the important thought of "Three Represents", the special committees shall adhere to the basic line and basic program for the primary stage of socialism, implement the principle of ?°long-term coexistence, mutual supervision, treating each other with all sincerity and sharing weal and woe?±, and earnestly perform the functions of political consultation, democratic supervision and participation in and deliberation of state affairs in close conjunction with the two major subjects of unity and democracy.Article 4 The work of the special committees, an important way of performing the functions of the CPPCC, constitutes an important base for the work of the CPPCC. In accordance with the requirements laid down in the Constitution of the Chinese People?ˉs Political Consultative Conference and the tasks set forth by plenary sessions of the National Committee and by Standing Committee meetings, the special committees shall conduct their work realistically, which includes: organizing committee members to earnestly study and publicize state policies, principles and laws; conducting in-depth investigations and study on some selected topics related to fundamental state policies and principles, major issues in the nation?ˉs political, economic, cultural and social life and issues of popular concern, topics that are forward-looking, comprehensive in nature and of overall importance, and putting forth views, suggestions and proposals; uniting and keeping in touch with committee members and people of all ethnic groups and all walks of life and actively reporting social conditions and public opinion; making efforts to maintain social stability and unity of all ethnic groups, accelerate the peaceful reunification of China and expand friendly exchanges and cooperation with people all over the world; organizing various kinds of activities to create favorable conditions for committee members to gain an insight into various aspects of society, play their part and perform their duties. Chapter II Organizational SystemArticle 5 Arrangements pertaining to composition of the special committees must be based on overall planning with due consideration to all factors and must be made in compliance with the principles of promoting contacts with people from all sectors and all walks of life, voluntary participation and consultation, and facilitating the organization of regular activities.Article 6 The set-ups of the special committees of a new term shall be determined at the first Standing Committee meeting of the newly-elected CPPCC National Committee. In principle, members of the special committees account for about 20% of the entire membership of the CPPCC National Committee. A special committee, usually composed of 40 to 80 members, has a chairman and a number of vice chairmen. A few more members may be appropriately added to those that carry out a wide range of work and have a heavy workload.Article 7 Members of special committees, selected from among members of the CPPCC National Committee, shall be nominated by the Secretary-General of the CPPCC National Committee and, after obtaining the consent of the nominated members themselves, shall be decided on by the Chairmen?ˉs Meeting while chairman and vice chairmen shall be appointed by the Standing Committee.In the event of a vacancy on any special committee, one may apply or be recommended, by a special committee member, for the seat left vacant. The case shall be handled in accordance with the procedures for forming the special committee after the chairmen's meeting of the special committee concerned has put forth a favorable proposal and a plenary meeting of the special committee has, through consultation, expressed its agreement to the candidate.Article 8 A CPPCC member who is not a special committee member may establish contacts with a certain special committee as he/she chooses. The special committees may invite, in whatever way appropriate, such members to take part in their activities and play their part.Article 9 To be a member of the special committee, one usually must have relevant work experience and professional knowledge and have time and energy to participate in regular activities such as investigations and study.Article 10 TheProposals Examination Committee established during the first session of the newly-elected CPPCC National Committee shall, immediately after the closure of the session, be included in the category of special committees as Committee for Handling Proposals, which is responsible for examining proposals tabled during each session and in the interim between sessions and speeding up the handling of proposals. The replacement of the chairman or a vice chairman of the Committee for Handling Proposals shall follow the same procedures as other special committees do.Chapter III Working SystemArticle 11 The day-to-day work of the special committee shall be directed by its chairman or a vice chairman authorized by the chairman and coordinated by the Secretary-General of the CPPCC National Committee or a deputy secretary-general authorized by the Secretary-General.Article 12 Thespecial committee shall maintain extensive contacts with people of all walks of life, promote socialist democracy, and attach great importance to investigations and study and full consultation in conducting activities of various kinds. The special committee shall follow the principle of democratic centralism when making a decision on its work in case of need.Article 13 The Chairman or a vice chairman or the Secretary-General authorized by the Chairman may call, when necessary, a joint meeting of special committee chairmen to discuss and study important matters concerning the work of the special committees.Article 14 Documents made in the name of a special committee shall be discussed at a plenary meeting or a chairmen?ˉs meeting of the special committee and be examined and approved by the special committee chairman or a vice chairman authorized by the chairman; those dealing with major issues may be submitted to the Chairmen's Meeting or the Standing Committee for deliberation and approval. The issuance of documents of the special committees in the name of the CPPCC National Committee or the General Office of the National Committee shall follow the prescribed procedures.Article 15 The special committees shall work out their annual work plans in accordance with the spirit of the resolutions adopted by the plenary session of the National Committee and by the Standing Committee, and submit them to the Chairmen's Meeting for deliberation and approval. Their work reports shall be submitted to the Standing Committee at the end of each year.Article 16 The special committees should communicate and establish contacts, on their own initiative, with relevant departments of the CPC Central Committee, the NPC Standing Committee and the State Council and with all democratic parties, relevant people's organizations and related organs of local CPPCC committees.Chapter IV Working BodiesArticle 17 Organs of the CPPCC National Committee shall establish, in accordance with the principle of simplification, uniformity and efficiency, corresponding administrative offices to serve the special committees.Chapter V Supplementary RuleArticle 18 These rules shall be implemented from the date of their adoption by a Standing Committee meeting. The power of interpretation and amendment of these rules shall be vested in the Standing Committee.