Chapter I General Provisions

Article 1 The name of the Association shall be China NGO Network for International Exchanges (hereinafter referred to as “the Association”), abbreviated as CNIE.

Article 2 The Association is a professional national non-profit Non-governmental Organization (hereinafter referred to as “NGO”) voluntarily composed of civil society organizations (hereinafter referred to as “CSO”) that are capable to carry out international exchanges and project cooperation in the fields of poverty alleviation, disaster reduction and relief, humanitarian assistance, sustainable development, climate change, environmental protection, agriculture, economic research, health, culture, education, science and technology, media, labor, justice, women, youth, ethnic minorities, religion, human rights, peace and security, etc., and media, think tanks and individuals who are interested in promoting international exchanges of Chinese CSOs.

Article 3 The objectives of the Association shall be:

i.                  Extensively reach out to NGOs and individuals at home and abroad, promote and support members to actively, orderly and effectively participate in the United Nations system and other important international events according to law, and organize members to carry out livelihood cooperation, cultural exchanges, humanitarian assistance and other projects overseas based on the philosophy of inclusiveness, mutual learning and sharing;

ii.              Improve members' capability to participate in international activities and carry out international livelihood projects;

iii.           Give full play to the role of CSOs and other non-governmental forces to create an international exchange platform, open up international exchange channels, promote the people-to-people exchanges, facilitate the establishment of a more just and reasonable international order, and realize the beautiful vision of building Community of Shared Future for Mankind.

The Association shall abide by the Constitution, laws, regulations and national policies of the People’s Republic of China, practice core socialist values, promote patriotism, abide by social morality, and consciously strengthen the construction of integrity and self-discipline.

Article 4 This Association shall adhere to the overall leadership of the Communist Party of China (hereinafter referred to as “CPC”), establish CPC branch within the Association in accordance with the provisions of the CPC Constitution, carry out party activities, and provide necessary conditions for the activities organized by the CPC branch.

Article 5 The Association shall accept the business guidance, supervision and management of the competent business authorities and registration administrative authority of social organizations.

Article 6 The residence of the Association is based in Haidian District, Beijing.

Chapter II Working Scope

Article 7 The working scope of the Association shall be as follows:

i.                  Support members to give full play to their respective strengths, participate in the activities of the United Nations system parallel to major multilateral conferences and other important international NGOs, and establish contacts and carry out exchanges and cooperation with relevant organizations and institutions;

ii.              Support major national diplomatic initiative such as the Belt and Road Initiative, serve the needs of domestic economic and social development and improving the level of opening-up to the outside world, organize and promote members to "go global" to carry out projects in the fields of people's livelihood cooperation, cultural exchanges, humanitarian assistance, etc., and provide policy and financial support in the aforementioned areas;

iii.           Facilitate members to hold large-scale bilateral and multilateral international forums and other important activities at home and abroad, and build an exchange and cooperation network of national and regional NGOs;

iv.            Support and promote qualified members to apply for consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council and join influential international NGOs, and encourage and support qualified personnel working in Chinese CSOs to serve in influential international organizations. And support and promote qualified CSOs to set up overseas offices and send personnel to work in the United Nations and influential regional organizations, professional organizations and relevant countries;

v.               Provide consulting services related to NGO, and organizing business knowledge and skills training related to international exchanges and cooperation;

vi.            Organize seminars, reports and special forums that are in line with the purpose of the Association, and hold exhibitions and other activities entrusted by relevant government departments or in accordance with the needs of business development;

vii.        Compile and publish publications in accordance with relevant regulations, and be responsible for the update and maintenance of the official website.

Chapter III Members

Article 8 The Association shall be composed of group members and individual members, and shall develop honorary members from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas as required.

Article 9 Members who apply to join this organization must meet the following conditions:

i.                  Recognize the Constitution of the Association;

ii.              Hold relatively important influence in the fields within the business scope of the Association;

iii.           CSOs registered at the Ministry of Civil Affairs, media and think tanks committed to promoting international exchanges of CSOs may become group members of the Association upon application.

iv.            Individuals who have the ability, resources and channels to participate, and are willing to actively work in the field of non-governmental foreign exchanges can become individual members of the Association upon application.

Article 10 The procedures for membership application shall be as follows:

i.                  Submit the application form for membership;

ii.              Approval upon discussion of the Council of Directors or the Executive Council of the Association;

iii.           Membership Certificate issued by the Council of Directors or the institution authorized by the Council of Directors.

Article 11 Members shall enjoy the following rights:

i.                  The right to vote and stand for election within the Association;

ii.              Apply to participate in important international forums organized by the Association, foreign exchange activities of the United Nations system and other fields;

iii.           Apply for foreign livelihood cooperation and cultural exchange projects organized and implemented by the Association;

iv.            Participate in seminars, research and talent training activities organized by the Association;

v.               Priority access to the information services and policy guidance provided by the Association;

vi.            Make suggestions and supervise the work of the Association.

Article 12 Members shall perform the following obligations:

i.                  Abide by the Constitution of Association, implement the resolutions of the Association, and safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the Association;

ii.              Accept the overall arrangements for the work related to the Association, and earnestly complete the tasks assigned by the Association;

iii.           Actively participating in the forums, seminars, foreign exchanges, project cooperation and other activities organized by this Association, providing necessary support and help in the aspects of intellectual and human resources, and submitting the report of participating in the activities upon the completion of the activities;

iv.            Accept the policy guidance of the Association and earnestly participate in the capacity building training of the Association;

v.               Promptly submit a written report on the work of the preceding year and the work plan of the current year to the Association at the beginning of each year as required;

vi.            Provide information of important activities in a timely manner, share the experience of the activities, and propose work suggestions;

vii.        Actively publicize the achievements and working ideas of the Association and provide resources and channels for the work of the Association;

viii.     Pay membership fees as stipulated.

Article 13 In case of withdrawal, members shall notify the Council of Directors in writing. For any member that does not frequently participate in the activities of this Association, fails to submit the information on its work in a timely manner, or fails to accept the overall arrangement on tasks of this Association, the Association shall have the right to propose to the Council of Directors to dissuade it from the Association.

Article 14 In case of any material violation of the Constitution, such members shall be disqualified upon approval by the Council of Directors or the Executive Council.

Chapter IV Election and Removal of Organizational Agencies and Leadership

Article 15 The highest authority of the Association is the Members’ Congress, whose functions and powers include:

i.                  Formulate and amend the Constitution of the Association;

ii.              Elect and remove directors of the Council of Directors in accordance with the recommendations of the Council of Directors;

iii.           Review the work report and financial report of the Council of Directors;

iv.            Decide on major changes and termination matters;

v.               Decide on other important matters.

Article 16 The Members’ Congress may not be convened unless more than 2/3 of the representatives of the Members present, and resolution thereof shall only take effect upon the vote of more than 1/2 of the representatives present.

Article 17 The term of the Members’ Congress shall be 5 years. Where any Members’ Congress needs to change or extend its term due to special circumstances, it shall be approved by the Council of Directors through voting and submitted to the competent business authority for inspection, and to the registration administrative authority of social organizations for approval. The extension of the term shall not exceed 1 year at the longest.

Article 18 The Association shall establish a Council of Directors. The Council of Directors is the executive body of the Members’ Congress that leads the day-to-day work of the Association where the Members’ Congress is not in session, and is responsible to the Members’ Congress.

Article 19 The functions and powers of the Council of Directors shall be as follows:

i.                  Implement the resolutions of the Members’ Congress;

ii.              Elect and remove the President, Executive Vice President, Vice President, Secretary-General and Executive Directors of the Association;

iii.           Prepare for convening the Members’ Congress;

iv.            Report the work and financial status of the Association to the Members’ Congress;

v.               Decide on the adding or removal of members of the Association;

vi.            Add or remove directors during the term, with a maximum of no more than 1/5 of the total number of existing directors;

vii.        Decide on the establishment, change and cancellation of the offices, branches, representative institutions and entities of the Association;

viii.     Decide on the appointment of Deputy Secretary-General and principal responsible persons of institutions of the Association;

ix.            Lead the work of institutions of the Association;

x.               Set up internal management system of the Association;

xi.            Decide on other major matters.

Article 20 The Council of Directors Meeting can only be convened with the attendance of more than 2/3 of the directors, and the resolutions thereof shall only take effect upon the vote of more than 2/3 of the directors present.

Article 21 The Council of Directors Meeting shall be convened by the President or Executive Vice President or Secretary-General upon authorization from the President; the meeting shall be convened at least once every year. Under special circumstances, the meeting may be convened by means of communication.

Article 22 The Association shall establish an Executive Council. The Executive Council shall be elected by the Council of Directors, exercise the functions and powers of items i, iii, v, vi, vii, viii, ix and x of Article 18 where the Council of Directors is not in session, and is responsible to the Council of Directors.

Article 23 The Executive Council Meeting can only be convened with the attendance of more than 2/3 of the executive directors, and its resolutions can only take effect upon the vote of more than 2/3 of the executive directors present.

Article 24 The Executive Council shall hold a meeting at least once every six months. Under special circumstances, the meeting may be convened by means of communication.

Article 25 The Association shall have 1 president, 1 Executive Vice President, several Vice Presidents and one Secretary-General. Those who hold these leadership positions must meet the following criteria:

i.                  Adhere to the major principles, policies of the CPC and have good political awareness;

ii.              Hold great influence in the business scope of the Association;

iii.           The maximum age of any appointee shall not exceed 70 years old; and the Secretary-General shall be a full-time position;

iv.            Have good health conditions and are fit for work;

v.               Have not been subjected to criminal punishment of deprivation of political rights, etc.;

vi.            Have full capacity for civil conduct.

Article 26 In the case where any appointed President, Executive Vice President, Vice President and Secretary-General of this association exceeds the maximum age of 70, the appointment must be approved by the Council of Directors, examined by the competent business authorities and registration administrative authority of social organizations prior to taking office.

Article 27 The term of President, Executive Vice President, Vice President and Secretary-General of the Association is 5 years, with no more than 2 terms allowed. In the case where it is necessary to extend the term due to special circumstances, the extension must be approved upon the vote of 2/3 of the member representatives of the Members’ Congress, which shall be subject to inspection by the business supervisory authority and approval by the registration administrative authority of social organizations prior to the extension taking effect.

Article 28 The President of the Association shall be the legal representative of the Association. Due to special circumstances, the Vice president or Secretary-General shall serve as the legal representative entrusted by the President, which shall also be approved by the Council of Directors, and reported to the business supervisory authority and approved by the registration administrative authority of social organizations

The legal representative shall be entitled to execute documents on behalf of the Association.

Article 29 The President of the Association shall exercise the following functions and powers:

i.                  Convene and preside over the Members’ Congress, the Council of Directors Meeting and the Executive Council Meeting;

ii.              Monitor the implementation of the resolutions of Members’ Congress, the Council of Directors Meeting and the Executive Council Meeting;

Article 30 The Secretariat of the Association is the permanent administrative organ responsible for the day-to-day management of the Association. The Secretary-General of the Secretariat shall exercise the following powers:

i.                  Preside over the day-to-day work of the office;

ii.              Organize, formulate and implement the annual work plan of the Association;

iii.           Organize and implement important activities, projects and major research projects of the Association;

iv.            Promote the work of branches, member offices and entities of the Association;

v.               Nominate Deputy Secretary-Generals and persons responsible for the working agencies, branches, representative offices and entity offices, and submit to the council for decision;

vi.            Manage other day-to-day matters.

Chapter V Asset Management

Article 31 Funds of the Association come from the following sources:

i.                  Membership fees;

ii.              Donation;

iii.           Government funding;

iv.            Deposit interests;

v.               Income from activities and services carried out within the approved business scope of the Association;

vi.            Other legal income.

Article 32 The Association shall collect membership fees in accordance with relevant state regulations.

Article 33 The funds of the Association must be used for the development of the business scope and undertakings stipulated in the Constitution of Association, and shall not be distributed among members.

Article 34 The Association shall establish a strict financial management system to ensure that accounting information is legal, true, accurate and complete.

Article 35 The Association shall employ qualified accountants to ensure the separation of incompatible positions such as the accountant and cashier. In the case where an accountant changes job or leaves the post, the accountant must complete the handover procedures with the successor.

Article 36 The asset management of this Association must be subject to the financial management system prescribed by the PRC, and be subject to the supervision of the Members’ Congress and relevant financial departments. Where the assets are sourced from state funding or social donation, they shall be subject to the supervision of the audit departments, and the relevant information shall be disclosed to the public in an appropriate manner.

Article 37 Any reappointment of leadership or change of the legal representative of the Association shall be subject to financial auditing.

Article 38 No entity or individual may encroach on, distribute in private or misappropriate the assets of this Association.

Article 39 The salaries, insurance and welfare benefits of the full-time staff of this Association shall be paid in accordance with the relevant provisions of the PRC.

Chapter VI Procedures for Amendment to the Constitution

Article 40 The amendment to the Constitution of the Association shall be approved by the Council of Directors by vote and submitted to the Members’ Congress for approval.

Article 41 The amended Constitution of the Association must be examined and approved by the business authorities within 15 days since it is adopted by the Members’ Congress, and shall not take effect until it is reported to the registration administrative authority for approval.

Chapter VII Termination and Property Disposal upon Termination

Article 42 Where the Association has accomplished the objectives, or the Association dissolves itself or needs to be cancelled due to division, merger or any other reasons, the motion for termination shall be proposed by the Council of Directors.

Article 43 The termination motion of the Association must be voted and approved by the Members’ Congress and reported to the competent business authority for inspection and approval.

Article 44 Prior to the termination of the Association, a liquidation group shall be established under the guidance of the business supervisory authority and relevant authorities to liquidate creditor's rights and debts and handle remaining matters. During the liquidation period, the Association shall not carry out any activities other than the liquidation.

Article 45 The Association shall terminate upon the completion of the de-registration procedure by the registration administrative authority of social organizations.

Article 46 The remaining property upon the termination of the Association shall be used for the development of undertakings related to the purpose of the Association under the supervision of the competent business authority and the registration administrative authority of social organizations and in accordance with relevant state regulations.

Chapter VIII Supplementary Provisions

Article 47 The Constitution has been approved by the voting of the Members’ Congress on 5 July 2017.

Article 48 The Council of Directors of the Association shall reserve the right to interpret the Constitution.

Article 49 The Constitution shall take effect as of the date of approval by the registration administrative authority.