Show China
Web Search Local Search     
Links
   Preface
 I. Current Situation of Energy Development
 II. Strategy and Goals of Energy Development
 III. All-round Promotion of Energy Conservation
 IV. Improving the Energy Supply Capacity
 V. Accelerating the Progress of Energy Technologies
 VI. Coordinating Energy and Environment Development
 VII. Deepening Energy System Reform
 VIII. Strengthening International Cooperation in the Field of Energy
 Conclusion
 Preface
 I. An Inevitable Choice in China's Social Development
 II. A Basic Political System for China
 III. Major Manifestations of Socialist Democracy
 IV. Political Consultation in the Multi-party Cooperation System
 V. Multi-party Cooperation System and Building of State Power
 VI. Multi-party Cooperation System and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference
 VII. Multi-party Cooperation System and Modernization
 Conclusion
 Appendix. A Brief Introduction to China's Democratic Parties and Personages Without Party Affiliation
 Appendix: Basic Facts About the 155 Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 Foreword
 Chapter I The Security Situation
 Chapter II National Defense Policy
 Chapter III Revolution in Military Affairs with Chinese Characteristics
 Chapter IV Defense Expenditure and Defense Assets
 Chapter V The Military Service System
 Chapter VI National Defense Mobilization and Reserve Force Building
 Chapter VII Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense
 Chapter VIII The Armed Forces and the People
 Chapter IX International Security Cooperation
 Chapter X Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation
 Appendix I Members of the CMC of the CPC
 Appendix II Leaders of the Four Headquarters/Departments of the PLA
 Appendix III Major Military Exchanges with Other Countries (2003-2004)
 Appendix IV Participation in Security Consultations (2003-2004)
 Appendix V Joint Exercises with Foreign Armed Forces (2003-2004)
 Appendix VI Participation in UN Peacekeeping Operations
 Appendix VII Major Military Regulations Promulgated Since 2003
 Foreword
 I. The Present Situation of Mineral Resources and Their Exploration and Exploitation
 II. Targets and Principles for Mineral Resources Protection and Rational Utilization
 III. Increasing the Domestic Capability of Mineral Resources Supply
 IV. Widening the Opening of, and Cooperation in, Mineral Resources Exploration and Exploitation
 V. Achieving the Coordinated Development of Mineral Resources Exploitation and Environmental Protection
 VI. Improving the Management of Mineral Resources
 Foreword
 I. The Status Quo of the "Three Direct Links" Across the Straits and the Problems to Be Solved
 II. Realization of the "Three Direct Links"
 III. The Mainland's Basic Stand and Policies on the "Three Direct Links"
 IV. Explanations on Some Questions Related to the "Three Direct Links"
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 I. China's Basic Stand on Non-Proliferation
 II. Actively Participating in International Non-Proliferation Efforts
 III. Non-Proliferation Export Control System
 IV. Concrete Measures for Non-Proliferation Export Control
 V. Strictly Implementing the Laws and Regulations on Non-Proliferation Export Control
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Part One: Status and Role of the European Union
 Part Two: China's EU Policy
 Part Three: Strengthen China-EU Cooperation in All Fields
 I. The Political Aspect
 II. The Economic Aspect
 III. The Education, Science-Technology, Culture, Health and other Aspects
 IV. The Social, Judicial and Administrative Aspects
 V. The Military Aspect
 Foreword
 I. The Security Situation
 II. National Defense Policy
 III. The Armed Forces
 IV. National Defense Building
 V. Armed Forces Building
 VI. International Security Cooperation
 VII. Arms Control and Disarmament
 Appendix I Main Military Laws and Regulations Issued Since 2000
 Appendix II Major Military Exchanges with Other Countries in 2001-2002
 Appendix III Participation in Security Consultations in 2001-2002
 Appendix IV Participation in UN Peace-keeping Operations
 Appendix V Chinese Armed Forces’ Participation Since 2000 in Assisting Japan in Handling the Chemical Weapons Abandoned by Japan in China
 Introduction
 I. Aims and Principles
 II. Present Situation
 III. Future Development
 IV. International Cooperation
 Foreword
 I. The Security Situation
 II. National Defense Policy
 III. National Defense Construction
 IV. Armed Forces Building
 V. International Security Cooperation
 VI. Arms Control and Disarmament
 Foreword
 I. The International Security Situation
 II. National Defense Policy
 III. National Defense Construction
 IV. International Security Cooperation
 V. Arms Control and Disarmament
 Foreword
 I. Sustainable Marine Development Strategy
 II. Rational Development and Utilization of Marine Resources
 III. The Protection and Preservationof the Marine Environment
 IV. The Development of Oceanographic Science, Technology and Education
 V. The Implementation of ComprehensiveMarine Management
 VI. International Cooperation in Maritime Affairs
 I.Soaring Trade Between Chinaand the United States
 II.Statistical Difference in Sino-USTrade Balance
 III.Statistics Based on Rules of Origin CannotsAccurately Reflect the Situation of Sino-US Trade Balance
 IV.US Export Control Against China-- a Major Obstacle for Bilateral Trade Balance
 V.Sino-US Economic and Trade Co-operationShows Vast Vistas
 Foreword
 I. Promoting Peace and Developmentfor All Mankind
  II. Military Personnel Reducedby One Million
 III. Maintaining a Low Level ofDefence Spending
 IV. Peaceful Uses for MilitaryIndustrial Technologies
 V. Strict Control over the Transferof Sensitive Materials andMilitary Equipment
 VI. Actively Promoting International Arms Control and Disarmament
 Concluding Remarks
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 Foreword
 Foreword
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 I. People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Foreword
 II. Civil and Political Rights
 Foreword
 Concluding Remarks
 Foreword
 .Concluding Remarks
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Preface
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Preface
 IV. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 II. Civil and Political Rights
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Foreword
 VI. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 Foreword
 Preface
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 V. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Preface
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Conclusion
 Preface
 Conclusion
 Conclusion
 Foreword
 Foreword
 Preface
 Preface
 Foreword
 X. Active Participation in International Human Rights Activities
 IX. Guarantee of Human Rights For the Disabled
 VIII. Family Planning and Protection Of Human Rights
 VII. Guarantee of the Rights of The Minority Nationality
 VI. Citizens Enjoy Freedom Of Religious Belief
 V. Guarantee of the Right to Work
 IV. Guarantee of Human Rights In China's Judicial Work
 III. Citizens Enjoy Economic, Cultural and Social Rights
 II. The Chinese People Have Gained Extensive Political Rights
 I. The Right to Subsistence--The Foremost Human Right The Chinese People Long Fight for
 VIII. Employment, Resettlement, Education and Protection for Convicts Who Have Served Their Term and Been Released
 VII. Carrying out the Punishment of Criminals
 VI. Humane Handling of Prisoners in Accordance with the Law
 V. Changing Criminals through Methods of Persuasion
 IV. Legal, Moral, Cultural and Technical Education of Criminals
 III. Reform of Criminals through Labour
 II. Guaranteeing the Rights of Criminals
 I. China's Basic Principles of Criminal Reform
 Part Two XII. Special State Aid for Tibet's Development
 Part Two XI. Protection of Living Environment
 Part Two X. People's Health and Demographic Growth
 Part Two IX. Development of Education and Culture
 Part Two VIII. Freedom of Religious Belief
 Part Two VII. Economic Development and Improvement of Living Standards
 Part Two VI. The People Enjoy Political Rights
 Part Two V. The People Gain Personal Freedom
 Part Two IV. Feudal Serfdom in Old Tibet
 Part One III. The Dalai Clique's Separatist Activities and the Central Government's Policy
 Part One II. Origins of So-Called 'Tibetan Independence'
 Part One I. Ownership of Tibet
 V. Several Questions Involving Taiwan in International Relations
 IV. Relations Across Taiwan Straits: Evolution and Stumbling Blocks
 III. The Chinese Government's Basic Position Regarding Settlement of the Taiwan Question
 II. Origin of the Taiwan Question
 I. Taiwan -- An Inalienable Part of China
 Chapter VIII Active Participation in International Women's Activities
 Chapter VII Organizational Guarantees of the Rights and Interests of Chinese Women
 Chapter VI Equal Status in Marriage and Family Life
 Chapter V Full Advance in Society
 Chapter IV Extensive Participation in Administration Of State and Social Affairs
 Chapter III Equal Rights and Important Role In Economic Sphere
 Chapter II Equal Legal Status
 Chapter I Historic Liberation of Chinese Women
 III. China Has a Complete Law Enforcement System for Intellectual Property Protection
 II. China Has a High-Grade Legal System for Intellectual Property Protection
 I. China's Basic Position Regarding the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 VII. The Correct Choice for Human Rights Protection
 VI. Optimization Through Reform and Development
 V. Satisfying the Reproductive Health Needs of People of Child-bearing Age
 IV. Bringing the People to a Common Level of Understanding
 III. Combination of State Guidance with Voluntary Participation by the Masses
 II. A Social Undertaking That Benefits the People
 I. A Strategic Policy That Suits National Conditions
 X. Working Hard to Promote the Healthy Development of International Huma Rights Activities
 IX. Developing the Study of Human Rights and Popularizing the Knowledge of Human Rights
 VIII. Guarantee of the Rights and Interests of the Disabled
 VII. Guarantee of Rights and Interests of Ethnic Minorities
 VI. Protecting the Legitimate Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 V. The Right of Citizens to Education
 IV. The Right to Work of Citizens and the Rights and Interests of Worker.
 III. Judicial Work in Safeguarding Human Rights
 I. People's Right to Existence and Development
 V. China's Welfare Homes for Children
 IV. Protection of Disabled Children
 III. Education for Children
 II. Children's Health and Care
 I. Guarantee of Children's Rights and Interests
 VII. Taking Vigorous Action to Promote International Cooperation in Environmental Protection
 VI. Environmental Science and Technology, and Environmental Publicity and Education
 V. Protection of the Ecological Environment and Biodiversity
 IV. Territorial Control and Rural Environmental Protection
 III. The Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution and the Comprehensive Improvement of the Urban Environment
 II. Improving the Legal and Administrative Systems Step by Step
 I. The Choice of Implementing a Sustainable Development Strategy
 VII. Deepening Structural Reform and Creating a Favorable Policy Environment for Grain Production and Circulation
 VI. Comprehensively Developing, Utilizing and Protecting Land Resources for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture
 V. Developing Agriculture by Relying on Science, Technology and Education and Changing the Grain Increase Method
 IV. Striving to Improve Production Conditions to Increase the Comprehensive Grain Production Ability
 III. China Can Basically Achieve Self-Sufficiency in Grain Through Self-Reliance
 II. Prospects for China's Consumption Demand for Grain
 I. New China Has Solved the Problem of Feeding Its People
 The Grain Issue in China
 VII. Guarantee of the Rights of Ethnic Minorities
 VI. Legitimate Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 V. Citizens' Rights to Receive Education
 IV. Protection of Workers' Rights
 II. Citizens' Democratic Rights
 V. Protection of the Right to Freedom of Religious Belief for Ethnic Minorities
 IV. Support for Independence and Initiative in Management of Religious Affairs
 III. Judicial and Administrative Guarantees and Supervision of the Freedom of Religious Belief
 II. Legal Protection of the Freedom of Religious Belief
 I. The Present Conditions of Religion in China
 Concluding Remarks
 IV. The Right to Freedom of Religious Belief
 III. The People Enjoy the Rights to Education,Culture and Health Protection
 II. Economic Development and the People's Rights to Existence and Development
 I. Ethnic Regional Autonomy System and the People's Political Rights
 VII. Foreign Exchange and Co - operation in the Field of Human Rights
 VI. Protection of the Rights of Ethnic Groups
 V. Legitimate Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 IV. Citizens' Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 II. Guarantee of Citizens' Political Rights
 I.People's Rights to Subsistence and development
 Notes:
 V. Preservation and Development of the Cultures of Ethnic Minorities
 IV. Promoting the Common Development of All Ethnic Groups
 III. Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities
 II. Adherence to Equality and Unity Among Ethnic Groups
 I. A United Multi-Ethnic Country
 VI. The Cross-Century Development Prospects for Human Rights in China
 IV. Protection of the Rights of Women and Children
 III. Civil Rights and Political Rights of Citizens Effectively Safeguarded
 II. Great Improvement in the Rights to Subsistence and Development, and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 I. A Historic Turning Point in the Progress of Human Rights in China
 VII. The News and Publishing, Broadcasting, Film and Television Industries Are Developing Rapidly
 VI. Popular Education Makes a Historic Leap
 V. Tibetan Studies Are Flourishing, and Tibetan Medicine and Pharmacology Have Taken On a New Lease of Life
 IV. Culture and Art Are Being Inherited and Developed in an All-Round Way
 III.Folk Customs and Freedom of Religious Belief Are Respected and Protected
 II.Cultural Relics and Ancient Books and Records Are Well Preserved and Utilized
 I.The Spoken and Written Tibetan Language Is Widely Studied and Used, and Being Developed
 Note
 VII. Developing International Cooperation in Drug Control
 VI. Raising the Consciousness of the Entire People Against Drugs
 V. Treatment and Rehabilitation
 IV. Exercising Strict Control over the Precursor Chemicals
 III. Cracking Down on Drug-related Crimes
 II. Constantly Strengthening Drug Control Legislation
 I.Sticking to the Position of Strict Drug Control
 IV. Guarantee Measures
 III. Plan of Action
 II. Targets and Principles
 I Current Situation and Prospect
 VII. Actively Carrying Out International Exchanges and Cooperation in the Realm of Human Rights
 V. Protection of Women and Children's Rights
 IV. The Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Citizens
 II. The Guarantee of Citizens' Political Rights
 I. The Improvement of the People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 V.The Aid-the-Rural-Poor Program in the Early Period of the 21st Century
 IV.The Aid-the-Poor Program for the Special Groups Among the Impoverished
 III.Major Contents and Channels of the Aid-the-Poor Program
 II.Policy Guarantee for the Aid-the-Poor Program
 I.The Course and Achievements of the Aid-the-Poor Program
 III. The Historical Inevitability of Tibet's Modernization
 II. Tibet's Modernization Achievements
 I. The Rapid Social Development in Tibet
 IV. Development in the Early Period of the 21st Century
 III. The Establishment of a Social Security System
 II. Formation of New Labor Relations
 I.Overall Stability in Employment Situation
 V. The Strategic Choice for Sustainable Development
 IV. Building an Ecology-Friendly Railway Line -- the Qinghai-Tibet Railway
 III. Ecological Improvement and Environmental Protection amid Economic Development
 II. Ecological Improvement and Biodiversity Protection
 I. Progress of the Ecological Improvement and Environmental Protection Work in Tibet
 III. Human Rights in Name, Hegemonism In Reality
 II. Confusing Right and Wrong and Calling Protection An "Abuse" of Human Rights
 I. Distorting Facts to Deceive the World Public Opinion
 VI. Improving the Management of Mineral Resources
 V. Achieving the Coordinated Development of Mineral Resources Exploitation and Environmental Protection
 IV. Widening the Opening of, and Cooperation in, Mineral Resources Exploration and Exploitation
 III. Increasing the Domestic Capability of Mineral Resources Supply
 II. Targets and Principles for Mineral Resources Protection and Rational Utilization
 I. The Present Situation of Mineral Resources and Exploration and Exploitation of the Resources
 VIII. International Exchanges and Cooperation in Human Rights
 VII. The Rights and Interests of the Disabled
 VI. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 V. The Rights and Interests of Women and Children
 III.Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 I. The People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 VI. Employment Prospects for the Early Part of the 21st Century
 V. Employment of Women, Youth and Disabled People
 IV. Employment of Rural Workforce
 III. Improving the Quality of the Workforce
 II. Proactive Employment Policy
 I. Basic Employment Situation
 V. Regional Ethnic Autonomy Is the Fundamental Guarantee for Tibetan People As Masters of Their Own Affairs
 IV. The Tibetan People Have the Freedom to Inherit and Develop Their Traditional Culture and to Practice Their Religious Belief
 III. The Tibetan People Have Full Decision-making Power in Economic and Social Development
 II. The Tibetan People Enjoy Full Political Right of Autonomy
 I. The Establishment and Development of Regional Ethnic Autonomy in Tibet
 X. Social Security in Rural Areas
 IX. Housing Security
 VIII. Social Relief
 VII. Special Care and Placement
 VI. Social Welfare
 V. Maternity Insurance
 IV. Insurance for Work-related Injuries
 III. Medical Insurance
 II. Unemployment Insurance
 I. Old-age Insurance
 X. Arms Control, Disarmament and Non- Proliferation
 IX. International Security Cooperation
 VIII.The Armed Forces and the People
 VII. Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense
 VI. National Defense Mobilization and Reserve Force Building
 V. The Military Service System
 IV. Defense Expenditure and Defense Assets
 III. Revolution in Military Affairs with Chinese Characteristics
 II. National Defense Policy
 I. The Security Situation
 V. Historical Development of Various Undertakings in Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 IV. The Central Government's Support and Assistance for Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 III. The Right of Self-Government of Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 II. The Political Status of Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities and the Establishment of Ethnic Autonomous Areas
 I. A Unified Multi-Ethnic State, and Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities
 VII. International Exchanges and Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights
 VI. The Rights and Interests of the Disabled
 V. Equal Rights and Special Protection for Ethnic Minorities
 IV. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
 III. Judicial Guarantee for Human Rights
 II. Civil and Political Rights
 I. People's Rights to Subsistence and Development
 IX. Judicial Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 VIII. Public Security Organs Act on Criminal Infringement on Intellectual Property Rights
 VII. Customs Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 VI. Protection of New Varieties of Agricultural and Forestry Plants
 V. Intellectual Property Rights Protection for Audio and Video Products
 IV. Copyright Protection
 III. Trademark Protection
 II. Patent Protection
 I. Basic Situation of the Protection of Intellectual Property Rights
 IX. Legal Guarantees of Women's Rights and Interests
 VIII. Women and the Environment
 VII. Women, Marriage and the Family
 VI. Women and Health
 V. Women and Education
 IV. Women's Participation in Decision Making and Management
 III. Women and Poverty Elimination
 II. Women and the Economy
 I. State Mechanism to Promote Gender Equality and Development of Women
 Annex III: Agreements on Disarmament and Confidence-Building Measures Between China and Relevant Countries
 Annex II: Laws and Regulations of China on Non-Proliferation Export Control
 Annex I: List of Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Treaties That China Has Joined
 VI. Tightening Non-Proliferation Export Control
 V. Actively Participating in International Non-Proliferation Efforts
 IV. Committed to National and Regional Disarmament
 III. Participating in and Promoting International Arms Control and Disarmament Process
 II. China's Basic Policy and Position
 I. International Security and Arms Control Situation
 X. Judicial Democracy
 IX. Government Democracy
 VIII. The Democratic Rule by the Communist Party of China
 VII. Respecting and Safeguarding Human Rights
 VI. Grassroots Democracy in Urban and Rural Areas
 V. The System of Ethnic Regional Autonomy
 IV. The System of Multi-Party Cooperation and Political Consultation Under the Leadership of the CPC
 III. The People's Congress System
 II. The CPC Led the People to Become Masters of the State
 I. A Choice Suited to China's Conditions
 V. Building a Harmonious World of Sustained Peace and Common Prosperity
 IV. Seeking Mutual Benefit and Common Development with Other Countries
 III. Developing by Relying on Its Own Strength, Reform and Innovation
 II. Promoting World Peace and Development with China's Own Growth
 I. Peaceful Development Is the Inevitable Way for China's Modernization
 X. International Cooperation in Environmental Protection
 IX. Environmental Science and Technology, Industry and Public Participation
 VIII. Environmental Impact Assessment
 VII. Economic Policy and Investment Concerning the Environment
 VI. Ecological Protection and Construction
 V. Protection of the Rural Environment
 IV. Protection of the Urban Environment
 III. Pollution Control in Key Regions
 II. Prevention and Control of Industrial Pollution
 I. Environmental Protection Legislation and System
 VII. Safeguarding Elderly People's Legitimate Rights and Interests
 VI. Participation in Social Development
 V. Cultural Education for the Aged
 IV. Social Services for an Ageing Society
 III. Health and Medical Care for the Aged
 II. Old-age Security System
 I. State Mechanism of Undertakings for the Aged
 Foreword
 X. State Support for the Development of Xinjiang
 IX. Establishment, Development and Role of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps
 VIII. Upholding Equality and Unity Among Ethnic Groups, and Freedom of Religious Belief
 VII. The People's Living Standard and Quality of Life Have Been Enhanced
 VI. Progress in Education, Science and Technology, Culture and Health Work
 V. The Economic Development of Xinjiang After the Founding of New China
 IV. Origin of the "East Turkistan" Issue
 III. The Administration of Xinjiang by the Successive Central Governments
 II. Diverse Religions Coexist and Spread in Xinjiang
 I. Xinjiang Has Been a Multi-ethnic Region Since Ancient Times
 Conclusion
 V. International Exchanges and Cooperation Regarding Food Safety
 IV. Law Regime and Technological Guarantee System for Food Safety
 III. Supervision of Imported and Exported Food
 II. Food Safety Regulatory System and Work
 I. Food Production and Food Quality
 Preface

 
 China A-Z HOME
I. Guarantee of Children's Rights and Interests
Close

Children are the future and hope of mankind. Today's children will be masters of the 21st century. Children's survival, protection and development, which are the basis for improving the quality of the population and the prerequisite conditions for the advance of mankind, directly concern a country and a nation's future and destiny. The Chinese nation has long cultivated the traditional virtues of ``bringing along the young'' and ``loving the young.'' An old saying, ``Love our own and others' children,'' is still very popular. The Chinese Government, with an earnest and responsible attitude, always shows great concern for children's survival, protection and development. It regards ``the education of children to improve the quality of the whole people'' as a fundamental policy for its socialist modernization program. The government educates society at large to ``protect and educate children, and set an example and do practical things for children.'' It spares no effort to create favorable social conditions for the progress of children's programs. Since the initiation of reform and opening to the outside world, children's programs in China have moved into social, scientific and legal tracks; and children's programs have become an important component part of the nation's construction and the duties of the whole society.

Children's Programs for the 21st Century

On February 16, 1992, the Chinese Government formally promulgated the Outline of the Program for Chinese Children's Development in the 1990s. The formulation of this program fully displays the Chinese Government's earnest and responsible attitude toward, and its concern for, the work impacting children. In accordance with the tasks and general objectives proposed by the Ten-Year Program for China's National Economic and Social Development and the Eighth Five-Year Plan (1991-95), the spirit of the two documents adopted by the Summit Conference on the Issue of World Children, as well as China's actual children's programs, the Outline, having the world, the future and China's modernization program in view, puts forward ten main objectives and tactics and measures for realizing these objectives. It states that the mortality rate of infants and that of children under five in 1990 will both be reduced by one third, and that disease occurrence in children under five caused by moderate and severe malnutrition will drop by 50 percent in 2000. All of the 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the central government in China have worked out development programs for children in light of the Outline and their respective local conditions. The measures and work for implementing the Outline are carried out in a down-to-earth and effective way throughout the country.

Protection Through Legislation

For many years, China has striven to protect children's legitimate rights and interests through legislation, endeavoring to place such protection on a legal and normal footing. In accordance with the actual conditions in China and by reference to relative legislation in other countries, especially to the laws and international documents on the protection of children's rights and interests, China has worked out a series of laws concerning children's survival, protection and development. With the Constitution of the People's Republic of China as the core, these provisions include the Criminal Law, the General Principles of Civil Law, the Marriage Law, the Education Law, the Compulsory Education Law, the Law on the Protection of Disabled Persons, the Law on the Protection of Juveniles, the Law on the Protection of Women's Rights and Interests, the Law on Health Protection of Mothers and Infants, the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases, and the Law on Adoption, in addition to a great number of other relevant regulations and measures. Hence a fairly complete legal system for the protection of children's rights and interests has been formed.

The Constitution of China clearly specifies: ``The state promotes the all-round moral, intellectual and physical development of children and young people,'' ``... child are protected by the state,'' and ``maltreatment of ... children is prohibited.'' Formulated according to the Constitution, China's relevant laws include comprehensive and systematic provisions on children's right to life, survival and development, as well as basic health and health care. Provisions also address children's family environment and substitutional care, education, free time and cultural activities and the special protection of disabled children. It is specified that criminal acts, such as maltreating, abandoning and deliberately killing children, as well as stealing, abducting and trafficking, kidnaping, selling and buying in children, should be severely punished. In addition, China's Constitution, laws and relevant administrative legislation also include comparatively complete provisions on the government's functions, the society's participation, work principles and corresponding legal responsibilities in the protection of children's rights and interests. From these it can be clearly seen that China's legal framework for the protection of children's rights and interests and its social guarantee mechanisms are effective in practice.

Judicial Protection

China's judicial procedure attaches great importance to the protection of juveniles' legal rights and interests, on which there are many important laws containing special provisions. To the juveniles who break the law and commit crimes, China adopts the policy of education, help and reform and adheres to the principle of relying mainly on education while making punishment subsidiary. While handling criminal cases concerning juve"iniles, public security organs, people's procuratorates and people's courts take full consideration of juveniles' physical and mental characteristics, respect their personality and dignity, and safeguard their legal rights and interests. Before criminals are tried, public security organs, people's procuratorates, people's courts and judicial administrative organs detain juveniles separately from adults; and juveniles who serve a sentence decided by the people's court are separately imprisoned from adult criminals and are treated differently. All criminal cases of persons aged 14 and 15 are not tried publicly by the people's court; and in general, criminal cases of persons aged 16 and 17 are not tried publicly. Before a criminal case of a teenager is judged, it is stipulated that the press, films, TV programs and public publications should not reveal the teenager's name, home address, photo and other identifying data.

Organizational Guarantee

To truly protect children's rights and interests, China's legislation, judicial and government departments concerned as well as mass organizations have set up corresponding mechanisms to supervise, effect and propel the healthy development of the work impacting children's protection.

As the highest organ of state power in China, the National People's Congress (NPC) has a Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs responsible for legislation for the protection of women and children's rights and interests and for the supervision and check-up of law enforcement. This committee has a special group for women and children staed with full-time working personnel. The Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) has a Subcommittee on Social and Legislative Aairs, one of whose responsibilities is to supervise and promote the implementation of the state's laws and regulations on women, youth and children and raise proposals on work in this regard to the state's legislation and administrative departments.

The State Council of China has set up the Work Committee for Women and Children, which consists of responsible persons from the concerned government departments and mass organizations, and a state councilor who serves as chairperson. This committee has as its tasks to coordinate and promote the governmental departments concerned with implementing the Outline of the Program for Chinese Children's Development in the 1990s; and harmonize and propel these departments to do practical things for women and children. Both the central and local government departments involving education, pub"ilic health, culture, public security, physical culture and civil administration have set up functional organs to take charge of the work for children. The provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities have set up committees on women and children's aairs or juvenile protection committees to organize and guide the work of protecting local children's rights and interests. Some mass organizations also perform many tasks to guarantee the development of the work concerning children in China.

International Cooperation

To promote international cooperation in the protection of children, the Chinese Government and society at large have taken an active part in global and regional international cooperation and exchanges regarding children's survival, protection and development while devoting themselves to this cause in a down-to-earth and effective manner. In recent years, China has achieved great success through cooperating with the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) in its work to protect children. In this regard, China has been highly praised by international organizations and authoritative persons in the child protection field.

Chinese Premier Li Peng, on behalf of the Chinese Government, signed the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children and the Plan of Action for Implementing the World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children in the 1990s (both adopted by the World Summit for Children in 1990), which represent a solemn promise made to several hundred million Chinese children as well as to the international community. China actively participated in working out the UN Convention on the Rights of Children. When the convention was examined and approved at the 44th Session of the UN General Assembly in 1989, China was one of the co-sponsor countries that raised the draft resolution for the approval of the convention. On December 29, 1990, China formally signed the convention. The following year, the NPC approved the convention, which formally became effective in China as of April 1, 1992. The convention is a universally applicable standard worked out by the international community for the protection of children's rights. The Chinese Government has undertaken and conscientiously fullled the obligations specied in the convention.

    

Close
 
 
  Related News
Show China
| Cooperation | About us | Contact Us |
Address:Huatian Mansion 26F,Lianhuachi East Road,Haidian District,Beijing,100038,P.R.C.
Service Hotline:86-010-58880304 E_Mail: zl@showchina.org
Copyright©2006 China Intercontinental Digital Publisher
All rights reserved.Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.