The Constitution of the People's Republic of China

Chapter II Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens

Article 33 All persons having the nationality of the People's Republic of China are citizens of the People's Republic of China.

Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State are equal before the law.

The State respects and safeguards human rights.

Any citizen enjoys the rights provided for in the Constitution and the laws, and at the same time must fulfill the obligations provided for in the Constitution and the laws.

Article 34 Citizens of the People's Republic of China who have reached the age of eighteen have the right to vote and the right to stand for election, irrespective of ethnicity, race, sex, occupation, family origin, religious belief, educational level, property status, or length of residence; except for those who have been deprived of their political rights in accordance with the law.

Article 35 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the People's Republic of China have freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration.

Article 36 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the People's Republic of China have freedom of religious belief.

No state organ, social organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in religion or not to believe in religion, and may not discriminate between citizens who believe in religion and those who do not.

The State protects normal religious activities. No one may use religion to carry out activities that disrupt social order, jeopardize the health of citizens, or impede the State's educational system.

Religious groups and religious affairs are not subject to domination by foreign powers.

Article 37 The personal freedom of citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State shall be inviolable.

No citizen shall be arrested except with the approval or decision of the People's Procuratorate or the decision of the People's Court, which shall be carried out by the public security organs.

Illegal detention and other methods of unlawfully depriving or restricting a citizen's personal freedom, and illegal searches of a citizen's body, are prohibited.

Article 38 The human dignity of citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State shall be inviolable. It is prohibited to insult, defame and falsely accuse citizens by any means.

Article 39 The homes of citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State shall be inviolable. Unlawful searches or unlawful intrusion into a citizen's home are prohibited.

Article 40 The freedom and privacy of communication of citizens of the People's Republic of China shall be protected by law. No organization or individual may, on any grounds whatsoever, infringe upon the freedom and privacy of communication of citizens except that the public security organs or procuratorial organs shall inspect communication in accordance with the procedures prescribed by law because of the needs of national security or the pursuit of criminal offences.

Article 41 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and of the State shall have the right to criticize and make suggestions to any State organ or functionary; and they shall have the right to appeal to, or to sue or report to the State organ concerned any violation of law or dereliction of duty on the part of any State organ or functionary; but they may not fabricate or distort the facts in order to frame up or frame up a person.

The relevant state organs must investigate the facts and deal with citizens' complaints, accusations or denunciations responsibly. No one may suppress or retaliate against them.

People who have suffered losses as a result of violations of their citizens' rights by State organs and agents have the right to compensation in accordance with the provisions of the law.

Article 42 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State have the right and duty to work.

The State creates conditions for labor and employment through various means, strengthens labor protection, improves labor conditions, and, on the basis of the development of production, raises labor remuneration and welfare benefits.

Labor is the honorable duty of all citizens capable of working. Workers in state-owned enterprises and urban and rural collective economic organizations should all treat their labor with the attitude of national masters. The State promotes socialist labor competitions and rewards model workers and advanced workers. The State advocates that citizens engage in voluntary labor.

The State provides citizens with the necessary training in labor and employment before they are employed.

Article 43 Workers in the People's Republic of China*** and the State have the right to rest.

The State develops facilities for workers to rest and recuperate, and prescribes the working hours and vacation system for workers.

Article 44 The State shall, in accordance with the provisions of the law, implement a retirement system for employees of enterprises and institutions and for the staff of State organs. The livelihood of retirees shall be guaranteed by the State and society.

Article 45 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and of the State shall have the right to material assistance from the State and society in old age, sickness or incapacity to work. The State shall develop the social insurance, social relief and medical and health services necessary for citizens to enjoy these rights.

The State and society protect the livelihood of disabled soldiers, provide pensions to the families of martyrs, and give preferential treatment to the families of soldiers.

The State and society help to organize the work, life and education of blind, deaf, dumb and other citizens with disabilities.

Article 46 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State have the right and duty to receive education.

The State fosters the all-round development of young people, adolescents and children in terms of morality, intelligence and physical fitness.

Article 47 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State have the freedom to engage in scientific research, literary and artistic creation, and other cultural activities. The State shall give encouragement and assistance to citizens engaged in education, science, technology, literature, art and other cultural endeavors for their creative work beneficial to the people.

Article 48 Women in the People's Republic of China*** enjoy equal rights with men in all aspects of political, economic, cultural, social and family life.

The State protects the rights and interests of women, implements equal pay for equal work for men and women, and trains and selects women cadres.

Article 49 Marriage, the family, motherhood and childhood are under the protection of the State.

Husbands and wives have the obligation to practise family planning.

Parents have the duty to raise and educate their minor children, and adult children have the duty to support and assist their parents.

Destruction of the freedom of marriage and abuse of the elderly, women and children are prohibited.

Article 50 The People's Republic of China*** and the State protect the legitimate rights and interests of overseas Chinese and the lawful rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and their dependents.

Article 51 In exercising their freedoms and rights, citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the State shall not jeopardize the interests of the State, society and the collective, or the lawful freedoms and rights of other citizens.

Article 52 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and the People's Republic of China have the duty to safeguard the unity of the State and the unity of the national races.

Article 53 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and of the State must abide by the Constitution and the laws, keep state secrets, care for public*** property, observe labor discipline, abide by public*** order, and respect social morality.

Article 54 Citizens of the People's Republic of China*** and of the State have the duty to safeguard the security, honor and interests of the motherland, and may not commit acts that endanger the security, honor and interests of the motherland.

Article 55 It is the sacred duty of every citizen of the People's Republic of China to defend the motherland and resist aggression.

Military service and participation in militia organizations in accordance with the law is an honorable duty of citizens of the People's Republic of China.

Article 56 Citizens of the People's Republic of China have the duty to pay taxes in accordance with the law.