Constitution of HONGKONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF PEACEFUL REUNIFICATION OF CHINA

Chapter 1 General Provisions

Article 1 The full name in Chinese of the Association is 中國和平統一促進會香港總會 and the abbreviation in Chinese is "統促會香港總會". The full name in English is "HONGKONG ASSOCIATION FOR THE PROMOTION OF PEACEFUL REUNIFICATION OF CHINA" and the abbreviation in English is "HAPPRC".

Article 2 The Association is a non-profit-making independent legal person organised voluntarily by persons from all walks of life in Hong Kong who are in favour of the peaceful reunification of China.

Article 3 The objectives of the Association are: to extensively contact and unite people from all walks of life in Hong Kong, adhere to the One-China Principle, resolutely oppose "Taiwan Independence", advocate the successful experience of "One Country, Two Systems", develop a close relationship between Hong Kong and Taiwan, deepen exchanges between Hong Kong and Taiwan, maintain long-term prosperity and stability of Hong Kong, advance the peaceful development of Cross-Straits relations and promote the peaceful reunification of China at an early date.

Article 4 The Association conducts activities in accordance with the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, relevant laws and regulations of Hong Kong and the Constitution.

Article 5 The Association is located in Hong Kong.


Chapter 2 Tasks

Article 6 The main tasks of the Association are:
(I) To extensively unite people from all walks of life and relevant organizations in Hong Kong, Taiwan and overseas to oppose separatist activities such as "Taiwan Independence", "Two Chinas" and "One China, One Taiwan" and advance the peaceful reunification of China.
(II) To boost the exchanges and communication between Hong Kong and Taiwan in civil trades, culture, education, technologies, science, media, sports, arts and tourism and enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people in Hong Kong and Taiwan.
(III) To conduct activities beneficial to achievement of the objectives of the Association.
(IV) To issue journals and other publicity materials to publicize the objectives and activities of the Association.


Chapter 3 Council Members

Article 7 The Association implements a System of Council Members.

Article 8 The Council Members shall meet the following conditions:
(I) Support the Constitution of the Association and have the intent to join the Association;
(II) Be concerned to and committed to the cause of peaceful reunification of China; and
(III) Have a certain social influence.

Article 9 The procedure for Council Members joining the Association:
(I) The first Council Members are recommended and invited by the preparation team of the Association; new members shall be recommended by more than two members and fill in the registration form for joining the Association;
(II) The Standing Executive Council shall have a discussion and give approval;
(III) The Association issues the certificate of council membership.

Article 10 Council Members enjoy the following rights:
(I) To vote and stand for election of the Association and to vote on the Meeting of Council Members;
(II) To participate in activities of the Association;
(III) To enjoy priority in obtaining the service of the Association;
(IV) To criticise, advise and supervise the work of the Association; and
(V) To have the freedom of joining or withdrawing from the Association.

Article 11 Council Members shall fulfil the following obligations:
(I) To abide by the Constitution;
(II) To safeguard the legal rights and interests of the Association.

Article 12 The membership as Council Member of the Association shall not be transferred. If Council Members of their own accord withdraw from the Association, they shall notify the Association in writing, file the withdrawal with the Meeting of Council Members or Standing Executive Council for removal and hand back their certificates of council membership.

Article 13 If Council Members seriously violate this Constitution, they shall be removed from the Association and their certificates shall be claimed back upon proposal by Board of Supervisors and approval by the Meeting of Council Members or the Standing Executive Council.

Article 14 The Association accepts the application of any organisation with its objectives identical with or similar to those of the Association for becoming an Affiliation of the Association and the chief officers-in-charge of the Affiliation shall become ex-officio Council Members of the Association, having the same functions and powers as those of the Council Members of the Association.


Chapter 4 Organisation and Election and Dismissal of Officers-in-charge

Article 15 The Meeting of Council Members is the supreme authority of the Association. Its functions and powers are as follows:
(I) To amend this Constitution;
(II) To examine and approve the engagement and dismissal of the Patron and the Chief Consultant; to elect and dismiss the Executive Director, Standing Executives, the Chairman and Vice Chairmen of the Meeting of Council Members, the Secretary-General, Supervisor-General, Vice Supervisors General and Supervisors; to examine and approve the appointment or dismissal of the Treasurer, Voluntary Legal Advisor and Executive Vice Secretary-General;
(III) To examine work reports, annual reports on the affairs of the Association, financial reports and development plans of the Meeting of Council Members;
(IV) To decide the establishment of offices, representative organisations and entities and approve their officers-in-charge;
(V) To decide other major issues.

Article 16 The Meeting of Council Members shall be held once a year in principle and at least twice per session.

Article 17 The rules of procedure for the Meeting of Council Members:
(I) The Meeting of Council Members shall be convened by the Executive Director, or the Chairman or the Secretary-General according to priority if the Executive Director is absent. The Meeting of Council Members shall be held as required by over 20% of the Council Members. A written notice shall be sent at least 14 days before the official date of meeting and more than 1/8 Council Members shall form the quorum.
(II) The Executive Director is the ex-officio Chairman of the Meeting of Council Members. If the Executive Director for personal reasons fails to preside over the Meeting, the Chairman or the Secretary-General shall preside over the Meeting according to priority. If all three of them do not attend the Meeting, the attending Council Members shall elect a Standing Vice Chairman or a Vice Chairman to preside over the Meeting.
(III) The motions submitted for vote at the Meeting of Council Members shall be voted on by a show of hands and shall take effect subject to the approval by more than half of the attending Council Members.

Article 18 The Association shall set a Standing Executive Council and the first Standing Executives shall be elected by the preparation team. Its functions and powers are as follows:
(I) To decide, when the Meeting of Council Members is not in session, on major issues on behalf of the Council;
(II) To procure implementation of the resolutions passed on the Meeting of Council Members;
(III) To interpret and explain this Constitution of the Association;
(IV) To examine and approve the enrolment or dismissal of Council Members; and to approve the number of Council Members before each Meeting of Council Members is convened;
(V) To discuss the recommendation list for the general election of Patron, Chief Consultant and Executive Director of the Association and submit the list to the Meeting of Council Members for examination and approval;
(VI) To discuss and examine the recommendation list for the general election of Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Supervisor-General, Vice Supervisors General, Secretary-General, Treasurer, Voluntary Legal Advisor, Standing Executives and Supervisors nominated at Chairman's Meeting and submit the list to the Meeting of Council Members for examination and approval.

Article 19 The Standing Executives shall hold meetings as necessary at any time and at least twice a year. Its rules of procedure are as follows:
(I) The Standing Executive Council shall be convened by the Executive Director, or the Chairman or the Secretary-General according to priority if the Executive Director is absent. The Standing Executive Council shall be held as required by over 20% of the Standing Executives. A written notice shall be sent at least 14 days before the official date of meeting. In emergency, the notice shall at discretion be sent by phone or in other forms without regard to the restriction on time.
(II) More than 1/3 Standing Executives shall form the quorum for the Standing Executive Council. If any Standing Executive fails to attend the meeting for personal reasons, he may express his views by written proxy but shall not be counted in the vote.
(III) The Executive Director is the ex-officio Chairman of the Standing Executive Council. If the Executive Director for personal reasons fails to preside over the meeting, the Chairman or the Secretary-General shall preside over the meeting according to priority. If all three of them do not attend the meeting, the attending Standing Executives shall elect a Standing Vice Chairman or a Vice Chairman to preside over the meeting.
(IV) The resolutions of the Standing Executive Council shall be subject to the approval by more than half of the attending Standing Executives and major resolutions shall be recognised retroactively on the Meeting of Council Members.

Article 20 The Association shall have one Parton, several Chief Consultants, one Executive Director, one Chairman, several Committee Advisers, several Standing Vice Chairmen, several Vice Chairmen, one Secretary-General, one Executive Vice Secretary-General, several Vice Secretaries-General, one Treasurer, one Vice Treasurer, one Voluntary Legal Advisor, one Chairman and several Vice Chairmen for each special committee. The Board of Supervisors shall have one Supervisor-General, several Vice Supervisors General and several Supervisors.

Article 21 The Patron is the supreme leader of the Association and invited cordially by the current Council.

Article 22 The Chief Consultants are invited cordially by the current Council to provide instructions and advices for major issues relating to the development of the Association.

Article 23 The Patron has the right to convene the meeting of Chief Consultants or seek their opinions and suggestions on major issues relating to the development of the Association in written form. After that, he can refer their opinions and suggestions in writing to the Standing Executive Council for discussion. The Standing Executive Council shall research into these opinions and suggestions in time and give its resolutions in writing to the Patron and Chief Consultants.

Article 24 The Executive Director has the following functions and powers:
(I) To convene and host the Meeting of Council Members and the Standing Executive Council;
(II) To check on the implementation of the resolutions of the Meeting of Council Members and Standing Executive Council;
(III) To represent the Association upon the authorization of the Standing Executive Council to sign relevant important documents jointly with the Chairman.

Article 25 The Association sets the Chairman's Meeting consisting of the Chairman, Standing Vice Chairmen, Vice Chairmen and the Secretary-General. The Chairman shall convene and host the Chairman's Meeting and notify members at least 7 days in advance in writing or in forms of communication in emergency. The Chairman's Meeting has the following functions and powers:
(I) To implement the resolutions of the Meeting of Council Members or Standing Executive Council;
(II) To prepare annual work plans and research on the daily work of the Association;
(III) To examine and approve the engagement and dismissal of Committee Advisers;
(IV) To examine and approve the appointment and dismissal of the Vice Secretary-General, the Vice Treasurer, Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of special committees;
(VI) To nominate the recommendation list for the general election of Chairman, Vice Chairmen, Supervisor-General, Vice Supervisors General, Secretary-General, Treasurer, Voluntary Legal Advisor, Standing Executives and Supervisors of the Association and submit the list to the Standing Executive Council for examination and approval.

Article 26 The Association implements the Chairman responsibility system under the leadership of the Council. The Chairman shall exercise the following functions and powers:
(I) To convene and preside over Chairman's Meeting;
(II) To direct the daily work of the Association, organize and implement annual work plans, supervise special committees of the Association to conduct activities, and submit annual reports on the affairs of the Association and the current work report;
(III) To represent the Association, upon the authorization of the Standing Executive Council, to sign relevant documents undertaken in the name of the Association;
(IV) To formulate working systems and regulations of the Association in accordance with the Constitution, and guide the Secretariat to provide administrative services for members of the Council;
(V) To recommend Committee Advisers, nominate the Vice Secretary-General, Vice Treasurer and Chief officers-in-charge of special committees, and to report to the Chairman's Meeting for approval;
(VI) To seek opinions for the work of the Association as necessary from Advisors in an appropriate way;
(VII) The Chairman can entrust executive Vice Chairmen to exercise some functions and powers on behalf of him.

Article 27 Committee Advisers shall be invited cordially after the approval of the incumbent Chairman at the Chairman's Meeting, and be responsible for giving opinions concerning the daily work of the Association to the Chairman in an appropriate way.

Article 28 Standing Vice Chairmen and Vice Chairmen shall assist the Chairman in performing his duties according to the division of work.

Article 29 The Secretary-General shall, under the leadership of the Chairman, be responsible for guiding and supervising the Secretariat to conduct specific work concerning the Association and reporting the work to the Chairman; the Executive Vice Secretary-General and Vice Secretaries-General shall assist the Secretary-General in performing his duties.

Article 30 After being invited cordially by the approval of the current Meeting of Council Members, the Treasurer set by the Association shall be responsible for managing all issues relating to the funds and expenses of the Association, and submitting annual financial reports to the Meeting of Council Members.

Article 31 The Board of Supervisors set by the Association is composed of the Supervisor-General, Vice Supervisors General and Supervisors. Its functions and powers are as follows:
(I) To supervise the Council, the Standing Executive Council and daily work of the Association and give opinions if necessary;
(II) To correct decisions which run counter to the objectives and the Constitution of the Association;
(III) To advise the Council and the Standing Executive Council to remove Council Members who violate the objectives and the Constitution of the Association.

Article 32 The Board of Supervisors shall hold meetings of the Board of Supervisors when needed. The Supervisor-General shall convene and preside over the meetings of the Board of Supervisors and send a written notice at least 7 days in advance. More than half of Supervisors shall form the quorum.

Article 33 The Supervisor-General has functions and powers as follows:
(I) To convene and preside over meetings of the Board of Supervisors;
(II) To sign documents of the Board of Supervisors;
(III) To attend the Council, the Standing Executive Council and the Chairman's Meeting;
(IV) To entrust Vice Supervisors General or Supervisors to exercise some functions and powers (Item I and Item III).

Article 34 The Executive Director, the Chairman and Vice Chairmen, the Secretary-General and Vice Secretaries-General, and the Supervisor-General and Vice Supervisors General shall serve a term of four years and are eligible for re-election for one term. Any premature or postponed re-election for particular reasons shall be approved by the Standing Executive Council. Postponement of re-election shall not be more than one year.

Article 35 According to development needs of the work of the Association, the Association shall set several special committees which are respectively responsible for conducting activities corresponding to the tasks of the Association. A special committee shall have one Chairman and several Vice Chairmen upon the nomination of the incumbent Chairman and approval of the Chairman's Meeting. A Council Member may join a committee of their own accord.

Article 36 The Voluntary Legal Advisor set by the Association is invited cordially by the approval of the current Meeting of Council Members, and is responsible for providing professional consultations for all issues of the Association concerning the law.


Chapter 5 Principles of Asset Management and Usage

Article 37 Source of funds of the Association:
(I) Donations from people and organizations both in China and overseas;
(II) Other legal income.

Article 38 Funds of the Association shall be used for the development of the business within the business scope specified in this Constitution, or for special projects consistent with this Constitution as according to the wishes of the donors.

Article 39 The Association may set up the Hong Kong Peaceful Reunification Fund upon approval of the Meeting of Council Members or the Standing Executive Council.

Article 40 The Association shall establish strict financial control system and be audited to ensure that the accounting data is lawful, true, accurate and complete.

Article 41 No institution or individual shall encroach upon, privately divide, and misappropriate assets of the Association.


Chapter 6 Procedures for Amending the Constitution

Article 42 The amendment of this Constitution shall be subject to the approval of the Standing Executive Council, and shall be submitted to the Meeting of Council Members for voting and adoption, and shall, within 15 workdays after adoption, file the same with the Registrar of Societies.


Chapter 7 Registration and Termination Procedures and Disposal of Properties after Termination

Article 43 The Association is registered with the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in accordance with the law.

Article 44 The deregistration due to fulfilment of objectives or dissolution, schism, coalition, etc. shall be proposed as a termination motion by the Standing Executive Council, and shall be subject to the approval of the Meeting of Council Members.

Article 45 The Association shall be terminated after going through the procedures for deregistration with relevant government agencies.

Article 46 The remaining properties of the Association after termination shall be donated in full to institutions developing matters relevant to the objectives of the Association.