Constitution of the China Society of Political Economy
Chapter I: General Provisions
Article 1. The name of this organization is the China Association of Political Economy (中国政治经济学学会), abbreviated as CAPE.
Article 2. This organization is a national, academic, and non-profit social organization voluntarily formed by educational and scientific researchers engaged in the theoretical study and teaching of political economy in China, as well as related personnel.
Article 3. The mission of this organization is to: Persist in taking Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as guidance; conduct in-depth research on major theoretical issues of Marxist political economy and major practical issues of economic development in contemporary China and the world; give full play to the cohesion and influence of academic associations on domestic political economy scholars; deeply study Xi Jinping’s economic thought on socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era; provide intellectual support for socialist modernization; and serve the theoretical innovation of political economy with Chinese characteristics. This organization complies with the Constitution, laws, regulations, and national policies, practices core socialist values, promotes the spirit of patriotism, abides by social moral customs, and consciously strengthens the construction of integrity and self-discipline.
Article 4. This organization adheres to the comprehensive leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). In accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the CPC, it shall establish a CPC organization, carry out Party activities, and provide the necessary conditions for the activities of the Party organization.
Article 5. This organization accepts professional guidance, supervision, and management from its professional supervisory unit, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and the social organization registration and management authority, the Ministry of Civil Affairs.
Article 6. The domicile of this organization is located in Beijing.
Chapter II: Scope of Business
Article 7. The business scope of this organization includes: (1) Conducting academic research and carrying out project investigations; (2) Providing consulting services in professional fields related to Chinese political economy; (3) Cooperating with institutions of higher education to conduct training; (4) Holding academic seminars, lectures, and report presentations; (5) Publishing political economy-related periodicals and issuing relevant research results in accordance with relevant regulations; (6) Carrying out external academic exchanges. Matters within the business scope that require approval under laws and regulations shall be carried out after obtaining approval in accordance with the law.
Chapter III: Membership
Article 8. The membership of this organization consists of individual members.
Article 9. Members applying to join this organization must meet the following conditions: (1) Support the Charter of this organization; (2) Possess the will to join this organization; (3) Possess certain influence within the professional field of this organization.
Article 10. The procedure for joining is as follows: (1) Submit an application for membership; (2) Discussion and approval by the Council or the Standing Council; (3) Issuance of a membership certificate by the Council or an institution authorized by the Council.
Article 11. Members enjoy the following rights: (1) The right to vote, to stand for election, and to cast ballots within this organization; (2) The right to participate in the activities of this organization; (3) Priority in obtaining the services of this organization; (4) The right to offer criticism, suggestions, and oversight regarding the work of this organization; (5) Freedom to join and withdraw voluntarily.
Article 12. Members shall perform the following obligations: (1) Abide by the Charter of this organization and implement its resolutions; (2) Safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of this organization; (3) Complete work assigned by this organization; (4) Pay membership fees in accordance with regulations; (5) Report information and provide relevant materials to this organization.
Article 13. To withdraw from the organization, a member should notify the organization in writing and return the membership certificate. If a member fails to pay membership fees or participate in the activities of this organization for one year, it shall be regarded as an automatic withdrawal.
Article 14. If a member seriously violates this Charter, they shall be removed from the membership upon a vote and approval by the Council or the Standing Council.
Chapter IV: Organizational Structure and the Selection and Removal of Officers
Article 15. The highest authority of this organization is the National Congress of Member Representatives [1]. The functions and powers of the National Congress are: (1) Formulating and amending the Charter; (2) Electing and removing Directors (Council Members); (3) Deliberating the work reports and financial reports of the Council; (4) Formulating and amending the standards for membership fees; (5) Deciding on termination matters; (6) Deciding on other major matters.
Article 16. The National Congress of Member Representatives may only be convened if more than two-thirds of the member representatives are present. Its resolutions shall only take effect after being approved by more than half of the member representatives present.
Article 17. The term of each National Congress of Member Representatives is four years. If it is necessary to hold the session earlier or delay it due to special circumstances, it must be approved by a vote of the Council, reviewed by the professional supervisory unit, and approved by the social organization registration and management authority. The maximum extension for a session change shall not exceed one year.
Article 18. The Council is the executive body of the National Congress of Member Representatives. During the period when the Congress is not in session, it leads the organization in its daily work and is responsible to the National Congress of Member Representatives.
Article 19. The functions and powers of the Council are: (1) Implementing the resolutions of the National Congress of Member Representatives; (2) Electing and removing the President, Vice Presidents, Secretary-General, and Standing Directors; (3) Preparing for the convening of the National Congress of Member Representatives; (4) Reporting on work and financial conditions to the National Congress of Member Representatives; (5) Deciding on the admission and removal of members; (6) Deciding on the establishment, change, and termination of administrative bodies, branch organizations, representative offices, and entity institutions; (7) Deciding on the appointment of Deputy Secretaries-General and the heads of various internal institutions; (8) Leading the various internal institutions of this organization in their work; (9) Formulating internal management systems; (10) Deciding on other major matters.
Article 20. The Council may only be convened if more than two-thirds of the Directors are present. Its resolutions shall only take effect after being approved by more than two-thirds of the Directors present.
Article 21. The Council shall meet at least once a year; under special circumstances, meetings may also be held via communication methods.
Article 22. This organization shall establish a Standing Council. The Standing Council is elected by the Council, and its number shall not exceed one-third of the number of Directors. When the Council is not in session, it exercises the functions and powers specified in Items (1), (3), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9) of Article 19, and is responsible to the Council.
Article 23. The Standing Council may only be convened if more than two-thirds of the Standing Directors are present. Its resolutions shall only take effect after being approved by more than two-thirds of the Standing Directors present.
Article 24. The Standing Council shall meet at least once every six months; under special circumstances, meetings may also be held via communication methods.
Article 25. The President, Vice Presidents, and Secretary-General of this organization must meet the following conditions: (1) Adhere to the Party's line, principles, and policies, and possess good political quality; (2) Possess significant influence within the organization’s business field; (3) The maximum age for holding office shall not exceed 70 years, and the Secretary-General shall serve in a full-time capacity; (4) Be in good health and able to maintain normal work; (5) Have not received criminal penalties involving the deprivation of political rights; (6) Possess full capacity for civil conduct.
Article 26. If the President, Vice Presidents, or Secretary-General of this organization exceed the maximum age for holding office, they may only take office after a vote by the Council, review by the professional supervisory unit, and approval by the social organization registration and management authority.
Article 27. The term of office for the President, Vice Presidents, and Secretary-General of this organization is four years, and they shall not serve more than two consecutive terms. If it is necessary to extend the term of office due to special circumstances, they may only take office after more than two-thirds of the member representatives at the National Congress vote in favor, followed by review by the professional supervisory unit and approval by the social organization registration and management authority.
Article 28. The President shall serve as the legal representative of this organization. Under special circumstances, upon entrustment by the President, consent of the Council, review by the professional supervisory unit, and approval by the social organization registration and management authority, a Vice President or the Secretary-General may serve as the legal representative. The legal representative represents this organization in signing important documents. The legal representative of this organization shall not concurrently serve as the legal representative of other organizations.
Article 29. The President of this organization shall exercise the following functions and powers: (1) Convene and chair the Council and Standing Council meetings; (2) Inspect the implementation of resolutions of the National Congress of Member Representatives, the Council, and the Standing Council.
Article 30. The Secretary-General of this organization shall exercise the following functions and powers: (1) Preside over the administrative bodies to carry out daily work and organize the implementation of annual work plans; (2) Coordinate the work of various subordinate institutions; (3) Nominate Deputy Secretaries-General and heads of various subordinate institutions for decision by the Council or Standing Council; (4) Decide on the employment of full-time staff for various subordinate institutions; (5) Handle other daily affairs.
Chapter V: Principles for Asset Management and Use
Article 31. Sources of funding for this organization: (1) Membership fees; (2) Donations; (3) Government subsidies; (4) Income from activities and services carried out within the approved business scope; (5) Interest; (6) Other legitimate income.
Article 32. This organization collects membership fees in accordance with relevant national regulations.
Article 33. The funds of this organization must be used for the business scope and career development stipulated in this Charter and shall not be distributed among members.
Article 34. This organization shall establish a strict financial management system to ensure that accounting data are legitimate, authentic, accurate, and complete.
Article 35. This organization shall be equipped with professionally qualified accounting personnel. Accountants shall not concurrently serve as cashiers. Accounting personnel must perform accounting calculations and exercise accounting supervision. When accounting personnel are transferred or leave their posts, they must complete handover procedures with the successor.
Article 36. The asset management of this organization must implement the financial management system prescribed by the state and accept the supervision of the National Congress of Member Representatives and the finance department. If the sources of assets involve state appropriations or social donations and subsidies, they must accept the supervision of audit authorities, and the relevant circumstances shall be publicized to society in an appropriate manner.
Article 37. Financial audits must be conducted before a change of session or a change of the legal representative.
Article 38. No unit or individual may seize, privately divide, or misappropriate the assets of this organization.
Article 39. The salary, insurance, and welfare benefits of the full-time staff of this organization shall be implemented with reference to the relevant national regulations for public institutions [2].
Chapter VI: Amendment Procedures for the Charter
Article 40. Amendments to the Charter of this organization must be submitted to the National Congress of Member Representatives for deliberation after being approved by a vote of the Council.
Article 41. The amended Charter shall take effect after being approved by the National Congress of Member Representatives, reviewed and agreed upon by the professional supervisory unit within 15 days, and verified by the social organization registration and management authority.
Chapter VII: Termination Procedures and Disposal of Property After Termination
Article 42. When this organization completes its mission, dissolves itself, or needs to be cancelled due to division or merger, a motion for termination shall be proposed by the Council or the Standing Council.
Article 43. The motion for termination must be approved by a vote of the National Congress of Member Representatives and reported to the professional supervisory unit for review and approval.
Article 44. Prior to the termination of this organization, a liquidation group must be established under the guidance of the professional supervisory unit and relevant authorities to clear claims and debts and handle aftermath matters. During the liquidation period, no activities other than liquidation shall be carried out.
Article 45. This organization shall be terminated after the cancellation of registration procedures is completed with the social organization registration and management authority.
Article 46. The remaining property after the termination of this organization shall, under the supervision of the professional supervisory unit and the social organization registration and management authority, be used for the development of undertakings related to the mission of this organization or donated to social organizations with similar missions in accordance with relevant national regulations.
Chapter VIII: Supplementary Provisions
Article 47. this Charter was approved by a vote at the first session of the 8th National Congress of Member Representatives on May 28, 2023.
Article 48. The right to interpret this Charter belongs to the Council of this organization.
Article 49. This Charter shall take effect from the date of verification and approval by the social organization registration and management authority.