Cap. A402

Promulgation of National Laws 1997 Editorial Notes: 1. This instrument was not given a chapter number under the Legislation Publication Ordinance (Cap. 614). An unofficial reference number, however, is assigned to this instrument in Hong Kong e-Legislation (http://www.elegislation.gov.hk) for identification purposes. This also enables users to carry out a search by reference to the unofficial reference number. 2. Editorial notes are signified by symbols such as “#” in the Instrument. Contents of the editorial notes are located at the end of Schedule 4. WHEREAS Article 18 of the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides that the national laws listed in Annex III thereto shall be applied locally by way of promulgation or legislation by the Region: NOW THEREFORE I, TUNG Chee-hwa, the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region give notice that the national laws as set out in the Schedules shall apply in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. Schedule 1 《關於中華人民共和國國都、紀年、國歌、國旗的決議》(一九四九年九月二十七日中國人民政治協商會議第一屆全體會議通過) 一、全體一致通過：中華人民共和國的國都定於北平。自即日起，改名北平為北京。 二、全體一致通過：中華人民共和國的紀年採用公元。今年為一九四九年。 三、全體一致通過：在中華人民共和國的國歌未正式制定前，以義勇軍進行曲為國歌。 四、全體一致通過：中華人民共和國的國旗為紅地五星旗，象徵中國革命人民大團結。 (English Translation) RESOLUTION ON THE CAPITAL, CALENDAR, NATIONAL ANTHEM AND THE NATIONAL FLAG OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA(Adopted at the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference on September 27, 1949) 1. It is unanimously adopted that Beiping shall be the capital of the People’s Republic of China and shall be renamed Beijing beginning from today. 2. It is unanimously adopted that the Gregorian calendar shall be used as the chronological system in the People’s Republic of China. This year is nineteen forty-nine. 3. It is unanimously adopted that before the official national anthem of the People’s Republic of China is composed, the March of the Volunteers shall be used as the national anthem. 4. It is unanimously adopted that the national flag of the People’s Republic of China shall be a flag with five stars on a field of red, symbolizing the great unity of the revolutionary Chinese people. Schedule 2 《關於中華人民共和國國慶日的決議》(一九四九年十二月二日中央人民政府委員會第四次會議通過) 中國人民政治協商會議第一屆全國委員會在一九四九年十月九日的第一次會議中，通過《請政府明定十月一日為中華人民共和國國慶日，以代替十月十日的舊國慶日》的建議案，送請中央人民政府採擇施行。 中央人民政府委員會認為中國人民政治協商會議第一屆全國委員會的這個建議是符合歷史實際和代表人民意志的，決定加以採納。 中央人民政府委員會茲宣告：自一九五零年起，即以每年的十月一日，即中華人民共和國宣告成立的偉大的日子，為中華人民共和國的國慶日。 (English Translation)RESOLUTION ON THE NATIONAL DAY OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA(Adopted at the Fourth Meeting of the Central People’s Administration Council on December 2, 1949) At its First Session held on October 9, 1949, the First National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference adopted the proposal “Requesting the Government Formally to Make October the First the National Day of the People’s Republic of China to Replace the Old National Day Which Falls on October the Tenth” and submitted it to the Central People’s Government for adoption and implementation. Believing that the proposal submitted by the First National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference conforms to the reality of history and represents the will of the people, the Central People’s Administration Council decides to adopt it. The Central People’s Administration Council hereby proclaims: Beginning from 1950, October the First, the great day on which the People’s Republic of China proclaims its founding, shall be the day on which the founding of the People’s Republic of China shall be celebrated every year. Schedule 3 《中華人民共和國政府關於領海的聲明》 (1958年9月4日全國人民代表大會常務委員會第一百次會議批准) 中華人民共和國政府宣布： (一) 中華人民共和國的領海寬度為十二海里(浬)。這項規定適用於中華人民共和國的一切領土，包括中國大陸及其沿海島嶼，和同大陸及其沿海島嶼隔有公海的台灣及其周圍各島、澎湖列島、東沙群島、西沙群島、中沙群島、南沙群島以及其他屬於中國的島嶼。 (二) 中國大陸及其沿海島嶼的領海以連接大陸岸上和沿海岸外緣島嶼上各基點之間的各直綫為基綫，從基綫向外延伸十二海里(浬)的水域是中國的領海。在基綫以內的水域，包括渤海灣、瓊州海峽在內，都是中國的內海。在基綫以內的島嶼，包括東引島、高登島、馬祖列島、白犬列島、烏岴島、大小金門島、大擔島、二擔島、東椗島在內，都是中國的內海島嶼。 (三) 一切外國飛機和軍用船舶，未經中華人民共和國政府的許可，不得進入中國的領海和領海上空。 任何外國船舶在中國領海航行，必須遵守中華人民共和國政府的有關法令。 (四) 以上(二)(三)兩項規定的原則同樣適用於台灣及其周圍各島、澎湖列島、東沙群島、西沙群島、中沙群島、南沙群島以及其他屬於中國的島嶼。 台灣和澎湖地區現在仍然被美國武力侵佔，這是侵犯中華人民共和國領土完整和主權的非法行為。台灣和澎湖等地尚待收復，中華人民共和國政府有權採取一切適當的方法，在適當的時候，收復這些地區，這是中國的內政，不容外國干涉。 (English Translation) DECLARATION OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA ON THE TERRITORIAL SEA (Approved by the 100th Session of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on 4th September, 1958） The People’s Republic of China hereby announces: (1) The width of the territorial sea of the People’s Republic of China is twelve national miles. This provision applies to all Territories of the People’s Republic of China, including the mainland China and offshore islands, Taiwan (separated from the mainland and offshore islands by high seas) and its surrounding islands, the Penghu Archipelago, the Dongsha Islands, the Xisha Islands, the Zhongsha Islands, the Nansha Islands and other islands belonging to China. (2) The straight lines linking each basic point at the mainland’s coasts and offshore outlying islands are regarded as base lines of the territorial sea of the mainland China and offshore islands. The waters extending twelve nautical miles away from the base lines are China’s territorial sea. The waters inside the base lines, including Bohai Bay and Giongzhou Strait, are China’s inland sea. The islands inside the base lines, including Dongyin Island, Gaodeng Island, Mazu Island, Baiquan Island, Niaoqin Island, Big and Small Jinmen Island, Dadam Island, Erdan Island and Dongding Island, are China’s inland sea islands. (3) Without the permit of the government of the People’s Republic of China, all foreign aircrafts and military vessels shall not be allowed to enter China’s territorial sea and the sky above the territorial sea. Any foreign vessel sailing in China’s territorial sea must comply with the relevant orders of the government of the People’s Republic of China. (4) The above provisions (2) and (3) also apply to Taiwan and its surrounding islands, the Penghu Islands, the Dongsha Islands, the Xisha Islands, the Zhongsha Islands, the Nansha Islands and other islands belonging to China. Taiwan and Penghu are still occupied with force by the USA. This is an illegality violating the People’s Republic of China’s territorial integrity and sovereignty. Taiwan and Penghu are waiting for recapture. The People’s Republic of China has rights to take all appropriate measures to recapture these places in due course. It is China’s internal affairs which should not be interfered by any foreign country. Schedule 4 《中華人民共和國國籍法》 (1980年9月10日第五屆全國人民代表大會第三次會議通過 1980年9月10日全國人民代表大會常務委員會委員長令第八號公布 自公布之日起施行) 第一條 中華人民共和國國籍的取得、喪失和恢復，都適用本法。 第二條 中華人民共和國是統一的多民族的國家，各民族的人都具有中國國籍。 第三條 中華人民共和國不承認中國公民具有雙重國籍。 第四條 父母雙方或一方為中國公民，本人出生在中國，具有中國國籍。 第五條 父母雙方或一方為中國公民，本人出生在外國，具有中國國籍；但父母雙方或一方為中國公民並定居在外國，本人出生時即具有外國國籍的，不具有中國國籍。 第六條 父母無國籍或國籍不明，定居在中國，本人出生在中國，具有中國國籍。 第七條 外國人或無國籍人，願意遵守中國憲法和法律，並具有下列條件之一的，可以經申請批准加入中國國籍： 一、中國人的近親屬； 二、定居在中國的； 三、有其他正當理由。 第八條 申請加入中國國籍獲得批准的，即取得中國國籍；被批准加入中國國籍的，不得再保留外國國籍。 第九條 定居外國的中國公民，自願加入或取得外國國籍的，即自動喪失中國國籍。 第十條 中國公民具有下列條件之一的，可以經申請批准退出中國國籍： 一、外國人的近親屬； 二、定居在外國的； 三、有其他正當理由。 第十一條 申請退出中國國籍獲得批准的，即喪失中國國籍。 第十二條 國家工作人員和現役軍人，不得退出中國國籍。 第十三條 曾有過中國國籍的外國人，具有正當理由，可以申請恢復中國國籍；被批准恢復中國國籍的，不得再保留外國國籍。 第十四條 中國國籍的取得、喪失和恢復，除第九條規定的以外，必須辦理申請手續。未滿十八周歲的人，可由其父母或其他法定代理人代為辦理申請。 第十五條 受理國籍申請的機關，在國內為當地市、縣公安局，在國外為中國外交代表機關和領事機關。 第十六條 加入、退出和恢復中國國籍的申請，由中華人民共和國公安部審批。經批准的，由公安部發給證書。 第十七條 本法公布前，已經取得中國國籍的或已經喪失中國國籍的，繼續有效。 第十八條 本法自公布之日起施行。 附註：關於本法在香港特別行政區實施的問題，全國人民代表大會常務委員會已作出解釋，請參閱全國人民代表大會常務委員會在1996年5月15日通過的《關於〈中華人民共和國國籍法〉在香港特別行政區實施的幾個問題的解釋》#。 (English Translation) NATIONALITY LAW OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA (Adopted at the Third Session of the Fifth National People’s Congress, promulgated by Order No. 8 of the Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress and effective as of September 10, 1980) Article 1 This Law is applicable to the acquisition, loss and restoration of nationality of the People’s Republic of China. Article 2 The People’s Republic of China is a unitary multinational state; persons belonging to any of the nationalities in China shall have Chinese nationality. Article 3 The People’s Republic of China does not recognize dual nationality for any Chinese national. Article 4 Any person born in China whose parents are both Chinese nationals or one of whose parents is a Chinese national shall have Chinese nationality. Article 5 Any person born abroad whose parents are both Chinese nationals or one of whose parents is a Chinese national shall have Chinese nationality. But a person whose parents are both Chinese nationals and have both settled abroad, or one of whose parents is a Chinese national and has settled abroad, and who has acquired foreign nationality at birth shall not have Chinese nationality. Article 6 Any person born in China whose parents are stateless or of uncertain nationality and have settled in China shall have Chinese nationality. Article 7 Foreign nationals or stateless persons who are willing to abide by China’s Constitution and laws and who meet one of the following conditions may be naturalized upon approval of their applications: (1) they are near relatives of Chinese nationals; (2) they have settled in China; or (3) they have other legitimate reasons. Article 8 Any person who applies for naturalization as a Chinese national shall acquire Chinese nationality upon approval of his application; a person whose application for naturalization as a Chinese national has been approved shall not retain foreign nationality. Article 9 Any Chinese national who has settled abroad and who has been naturalized as a foreign national or has acquired foreign nationality of his own free will shall automatically lose Chinese nationality. Article 10 Chinese nationals who meet one of the following conditions may renounce Chinese nationality upon approval of their applications: (1) they are near relatives of foreign nationals; (2) they have settled abroad; or (3) they have other legitimate reasons. Article 11 Any person who applies for reunciation of Chinese nationality shall lose Chinese nationality upon approval of his application. Article 12 State functionaries and military personnel on active service shall not renounce Chinese nationality. Article 13 Foreign nationals who once held Chinese nationality may apply for restoration of Chinese nationality if they have legitimate reasons; those whose applications for restoration of Chinese nationality have been approved shall not retain foreign nationality. Article 14 Persons who wish to acquire, renounce or restore Chinese nationality, with the exception of the cases provided for in Article 9, shall go through the formalities of application. Applications of persons under the age of 18 may be filed on their behalf by their parents or other legal representatives. Article 15 Nationality applications at home shall be handled by the public security bureaus of the municipalities or counties where the applicants reside; nationality applications abroad shall be handled by China’s diplomatic representative agencies and consular offices. Article 16 Applications for naturalization as Chinese nationals and for renunciation or restoration of Chinese nationality are subject to examination and approval by the Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China. The Ministry of Public Security shall issue a certificate to any person whose application has been approved. Article 17 The nationality status of persons who have acquired or lost Chinese nationality before the promulgation of this Law shall remain valid. Article 18 This Law shall come into force as of the date of its promulgation. Remarks: Concerning the questions of the implementation of this Law in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has made certain explanations. Please refer to the “Explanations of some questions by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress concerning the implementation of the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region”# adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress on 15 May 1996. Editorial Note: #See Instrument A204 in Hong Kong e-Legislation. Schedule 5 《中華人民共和國外交特權與豁免條例》 (1986年9月5日第六屆全國人民代表大會常務委員會第十七次會議通過 1986年9月5日中華人民共和國主席令第四十四號公布 自公布之日起施行) 第一條 為確定外國駐中國使館和使館人員的外交特權與豁免，便於外國駐中國使館代表其國家有效地執行職務，特制定本條例。 第二條 使館外交人員原則上應當是具有派遣國國籍的人。如果委派中國或者第三國國籍的人為使館外交人員，必須徵得中國主管機關的同意。中國主管機關可以隨時撤銷此項同意。 第三條 使館及其館長有權在使館館舍和使館館長交通工具上，使用派遣國的國旗或者國徽。 第四條 使館館舍不受侵犯。中國國家工作人員進入使館館舍，須經使館館長或者其授權人員的同意。中國有關機關應當採取適當措施，保護使館館舍免受侵犯或者損害。 使館的館舍、設備及館舍內其他財產和使館交通工具免受搜查、徵用、扣押或者強制執行。 第五條 使館館舍免納捐稅，但為其提供特定服務所收的費用不在此限。使館辦理公務所收規費和手續費免納捐稅。 第六條 使館的檔案和文件不受侵犯。 第七條 使館人員在中國境內有行動和旅行的自由，中國政府規定禁止或者限制進入的區域除外。 第八條 使館為公務目的可以與派遣國政府以及派遣國其他使館和領事館自由通訊。通訊可以採用一切適當方法，包括外交信使、外交郵袋和明碼、密碼電信在內。 第九條 使館設置和使用供通訊用的無綫電收發信機，必須經中國政府同意。使館運進上述設備，按中國政府的有關規定辦理。 第十條 使館來往的公文不受侵犯。 外交郵袋不得開拆或者扣留。 外交郵袋以裝載外交文件或者公務用品為限，應予加封並附有可資識別的外部標記。 第十一條 外交信使必須持有派遣國主管機關出具的信使證明書。外交信使人身不受侵犯，不受逮捕或者拘留。 臨時外交信使必須持有派遣國主管機關出具的臨時信使證明書，在其負責攜帶外交郵袋期間，享有與外交信使同等的豁免。 商業飛機機長受委托可以轉遞外交郵袋，但機長必須持有委托國官方證明文件，註明所攜帶的外交郵袋件數。機長不得視為外交信使。使館應當派使館人員向機長接交外交郵袋。 第十二條 外交代表人身不受侵犯，不受逮捕或者拘留。中國有關機關應當採取適當措施，防止外交代表的人身自由和尊嚴受到侵犯。 第十三條 外交代表的寓所不受侵犯，並受保護。 外交代表的文書和信件不受侵犯。外交代表的財產不受侵犯，但第十四條另有規定的除外。 第十四條 外交代表享有刑事管轄豁免。 外交代表享有民事管轄豁免和行政管轄豁免，但下列各項除外： (一) 外交代表以私人身分進行的遣產繼承的訴訟； (二) 外交代表違反第二十五條第三項規定在中國境內從事公務範圍以外的職業或者商業活動的訴訟。 外交代表免受強制執行，但對前款所列情況，強制執行對其人身和寓所不構成侵犯的，不在此限。 外交代表沒有以證人身分作證的義務。 第十五條 外交代表和第二十條規定享有豁免的人員的管轄豁免可以由派遣國政府明確表示放棄。 外交代表和第二十條規定享有豁免的人員如果主動提起訴訟，對與本訴直接有關的反訴，不得援用管轄豁免。 放棄民事管轄豁免或者行政管轄豁免，不包括對判決的執行也放棄豁免。放棄對判決執行的豁免須另作明確表示。 第十六條 外交代表免納捐稅，但下列各項除外： (一) 通常計入商品價格或者服務價格內的捐稅； (二) 有關遺產的各種捐稅，但外交代表亡故，其在中國境內的動產不在此限； (三) 對來源於中國境內的私人收入所徵的捐稅； (四) 為其提供特定服務所收的費用。 第十七條 外交代表免除一切個人和公共勞務以及軍事義務。 第十八條 使館運進的公務用品、外交代表運進的自用物品，按照中國政府的有關規定免納關稅和其他捐稅。 外交代表的私人行李免受查驗，但中國有關機關有重大理由推定其中裝有不屬於前款規定免稅的物品或者中國法律和政府規定禁止運進、運出或者檢疫法規規定管制的物品的，可以查驗。查驗時，須有外交代表或者其授權人員在場。 第十九條 使館和使館人員攜運自用的槍枝、子彈入境，必須經中國政府批准，並且按中國政府的有關規定辦理。 第二十條 與外交代表共同生活的配偶及未成年子女，如果不是中國公民，享有第十二條至第十八條所規定的特權與豁免。 使館行政技術人員和與其共同生活的配偶及未成年子女，如果不是中國公民並且不是在中國永久居留的，享有第十二條至第十七條所規定的特權與豁免，但民事管轄豁免和行政管轄豁免，僅限於執行公務的行為。使館行政技術人員到任後半年內運進的安家物品享有第十八條第一款所規定的免稅的特權。 使館服務人員如果不是中國公民並且不是在中國永久居留的，其執行公務的行為享有豁免，其受僱所得報酬免納所得稅。其到任後半年內運進的安家物品享有第十八條第一款所規定的免稅的特權。 使館人員的私人服務員如果不是中國公民並且不是在中國永久居留的，其受僱所得的報酬免納所得稅。 第二十一條 外交代表如果是中國公民或者獲得在中國永久居留資格的外國人，僅就其執行公務的行為，享有管轄豁免和不受侵犯。 第二十二條 下列人員享有在中國過境或者逗留期間所必需的豁免和不受侵犯： (一) 途經中國的外國駐第三國的外交代表和與其共同生活的配偶及未成年子女； (二) 持有中國外交簽證或者持有外交護照(僅限互免簽證的國家)來中國的外國官員； (三) 經中國政府同意給予本條所規定的特權與豁免的其他來中國訪問的外國人士。 對途經中國的第三國外交信使及其所攜帶的外交郵袋，參照第十條、第十一條的規定辦理。 第二十三條 來中國訪問的外國國家元首、政府首腦、外交部長及其他具有同等身分的官員，享有本條例所規定的特權與豁免。 第二十四條 來中國參加聯合國及其專門機構召開的國際會議的外國代表、臨時來中國的聯合國及其專門機構的官員和專家、聯合國及其專門機構駐中國的代表機構和人員的待遇，按中國已加入的有關國際公約和中國與有關國際組織簽訂的協議辦理。 第二十五條 享有外交特權與豁免的人員： (一) 應當尊重中國的法律、法規； (二) 不得干涉中國的內政； (三) 不得在中國境內為私人利益從事任何職業或者商業活動； (四) 不得將使館館舍和使館工作人員寓所充作與使館職務不相符合的用途。 第二十六條 如果外國給予中國駐該國使館、使館人員以及臨時去該國的有關人員的外交特權與豁免，低於中國按本條例給予該國駐中國使館、使館人員以及臨時來中國的有關人員的外交特權與豁免，中國政府根據對等原則，可以給予該國駐中國使館、使館人員以及臨時來中國的有關人員以相應的外交特權與豁免。 第二十七條 中國締結或者參加的國際條約另有規定的，按照國際條約的規定辦理，但中國聲明保留的條款除外。 中國與外國簽訂的外交特權與豁免協議另有規定的，按照協議的規定執行。 第二十八條 本條例中下列用語的含義是： (一) “使館館長”是指派遣國委派擔任此項職位的大使、公使、代辦以及其他同等級別的人； (二) “使館人員”是指使館館長和使館工作人員； (三) “使館工作人員”是指使館外交人員、行政技術人員和服務人員； (四) “使館外交人員”是指具有外交官銜的使館工作人員； (五) “外交代表”是指使館館長或者使館外交人員； (六) “使館行政技術人員”是指從事行政和技術工作的使館工作人員； (七) “使館服務人員”是指從事服務工作的使館工作人員； (八) “私人服務員”是指使館人員私人僱用的人員； (九) “使館館舍”是指使館使用和使館館長官邸的建築物及其附屬的土地。 第二十九條 本條例自公布之日起施行。 (English Translation) REGULATIONS OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA CONCERNING DIPLOMATIC PRIVILEGES AND IMMUNITIES (Adopted at the l7th Meeting of the Standing Committee of Sixth National People’s Congress, promulgated by order No. 44 of the President of the People’s Republic of China and effective as of September 5, 1986) Article 1 The present Regulations are formulated for the purpose of defining the diplomatic privileges and immunities of the diplomatic missions in China and their members and facilitating the efficient performance of the functions of the diplomatic missions in China as representing States. Article 2 The members of the diplomatic staff of a mission shall in principle be of the nationality of the sending State. They may be appointed from among persons of Chinese or third-state nationality only with the consent of the competent Chinese authorities, which may be withdrawn at any time by the said authorities. Article 3 The mission and its head shall have the right to use the flag and emblem of the sending State on the premises of the mission and on the means of transport of the head of the mission. Article 4 The premises of the mission shall be inviolable. Chinese government functionaries may enter them only with the consent of the head of the mission or another member of the mission authorized by him. The Chinese authorities concerned shall take appropriate measures to protect the premises of the mission against any intrusion or damage. The premises of the mission, their furnishings and other property thereon and the means of transport of the mission shall be immune from search, requisition, attachment or execution. Article 5 The premises of the mission shall be exempt from dues and taxes, other than such as represent payment for specific services rendered. The fees and charges levied by the mission in the course of its official duties shall be exempt from all dues and taxes. Article 6 The archives and documents of the mission shall be inviolable. Article 7 The members of the mission shall enjoy freedom of movement and travel within Chinese territory except for areas the entry into which is prohibited or restricted by the regulations of the Chinese Government. Article 8 The mission may for official purposes communicate freely with the Government and the other missions and consulates of the sending State. In so doing, it may employ all appropriate means, including diplomatic couriers, diplomatic bag, and messages in code or cipher. Article 9 The mission may install and use a wireless transmitter-receiver for the purpose of communication only with the consent of the Chinese Government. The import of the above-mentioned equipment shall be subject to the relevant procedure as specified by the Chinese Government. Article 10 The official correspondence of the mission shall be inviolable. The diplomatic bag shall not be opened or detained. The diplomatic bag may contain only diplomatic papers or articles intended for official use and must be sealed and bear visible external marks of its contents. Article 11 The diplomatic courier shall be provided with a courier certificate issued by the competent authorities of the sending State. He shall enjoy personal inviolability and shall not be liable to arrest or detention. Diplomatic couriers ad hoc shall be provided with certificates of courier ad hoc issued by the competent authorities of the sending State, and shall enjoy the same immunities as the diplomatic courier while charged with the carrying of the diplomatic bag. A diplomatic bag may be entrusted to the captain of a commercial aircraft. He shall be provided with an official document issued by the consigner state indicating the number of packages constituting the bag, but he shall not be regarded as a diplomatic courier. The mission shall send its members to receive the diplomatic bag from the captain of the aircraft or deliver it to him. Article 12 The person of a diplomatic agent shall be inviolable. He shall not be liable to arrest or detention. The Chinese authorities concerned shall take appropriate measures to prevent any attack on his personal freedom and dignity. Article 13 The residence of a diplomatic agent shall enjoy inviolability and protection. His papers, correspondence and, except as provided in Article 14, his property, shall be inviolable. Article 14 A diplomatic agent shall enjoy immunity from criminal jurisdiction. He shall also enjoy immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction, except in the case of: (1) an action relating to succession in which he is involved as a private person; (2) an action relating to any professional or commercial activity conducted by him in China outside his official functions in violation of paragraph 3 of Article 25. No measures of execution shall be taken in respect of a diplomatic agent except in cases coming under the preceding paragraphs of this Article, where the measures of execution do not constitute any violations of his person and residence. A diplomatic agent is not obliged to give evidence as a witness. Article 15 The immunity from jurisdiction of diplomatic agents and of persons enjoying immunity under Article 20 may be waived through explicit expression by the Government of the sending State. The initiation of proceedings by a diplomatic agent or by a person enjoying immunity from jurisdiction under Article 20 shall preclude him from invoking immunity from jurisdiction in respect of any counter-claim directly connected with the claim. Waiver of immunity from civil or administrative Jurisdiction shall not imply waiver of immunity in respect of the execution of the judgment, for which a separate and explicit waiver shall be necessary. Article 16 A diplomatic agent shall be exempt from all dues and taxes, except: (1) dues and taxes of a kind which are normally incorporated in the price of goods or services; (2) estate, succession or inheritance duties, except for the movable property in China of a deceased diplomatic agent; (3) dues and taxes on private income having its source in China; (4) charges levied for specific services rendered. Article 17 Diplomatic agents shall be exempt from all personal and public services as well as military obligations. Article 18 Imported articles for the official use of the mission and those for the personal use of a diplomatic agent shall, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the Chinese Government, be exempt from customs duties and all other related dues and taxes. The personal baggage of a diplomatic agent shall be exempt from inspection, unless the competent Chinese authorities have serious grounds for presuming that it contains articles not covered by the exemptions specified in the previous paragraph, or articles the import or export of which is prohibited by Chinese laws and government regulations or controlled by the quarantine law and regulations. Such inspection shall be conducted in the presence of the diplomatic agent or of his authorized representative. Article 19 The diplomatic missions and their members may bring and import firearms and bullets into China for their personal use, subject to the approval of the Chinese Government and to its relevant regulations. Article 20 The spouse and under-age children of a diplomatic agent forming part of his household shall, if they are not nationals of China, enjoy the privileges and immunities specified in Articles 12 to 18. The members of the administrative and technical staff of the mission, together with their spouses and under-age children forming part of their respective households, shall, if they are not nationals or permanent residents of China, enjoy the privileges and immunities specified in Articles 12 to 17. However, the immunity from civil and administrative jurisdiction shall be confined to acts performed in the course of official duties. The members of the administrative and technical staff shall also enjoy the privilege of exemption from dues and taxes specified in paragraph one of Article 18 in respect of articles intended for their establishment which are imported within six months of the time of installation. The members of the service staff of the mission who are not nationals or permanent residents of China shall enjoy immunity in respect of acts performed in the course of official duties and exemption from income tax on the emoluments they receive by reason of their employment. They shall enjoy the privilege of exemption from dues and taxes as specified in paragraph one of Article 18 of the present Regulations in respect of articles intended for their establishment which are imported within six months of the time of installation. The private attendants of members of the mission shall, if they are not nationals or permanent residents of China, be exempt from income tax on the emoluments they receive by reason of their employment. Article 21 Diplomatic agents who are nationals of China or foreigners having obtained permanent residence in China shall enjoy immunity from jurisdiction and inviolability only in respect of acts performed in the course of official duties. Article 22 The following persons shall enjoy immunity and inviolability necessary for their transit through or sojourn in China: (1) a diplomatic agent stationed in a third State who passes through China together with his spouse and underage children forming part of his household; (2) a visiting foreign official who has obtained a diplomatic visa from China or who holds a diplomatic passport of a State with which China has an agreement on the mutual exemption of visas; (3) other visiting foreigners to whom the Chinese Government has granted the privileges and immunities specified in the present Article. The provisions of Articles 10 and 11 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to a diplomatic courier of a third State passing through China and his accompanying diplomatic bag. Article 23 Visiting heads of State or government, foreign ministers and other officials of comparable status from foreign States shall enjoy the privileges and immunities specified in the present Regulations. Article 24 Representatives of foreign States coming to China to attend international conferences sponsored by the United Nations or its specialized agencies, visiting officials and experts of the United Nations and its specialized agencies, and offices of the United Nations and its specialized agencies in China and their personnel shall enjoy such treatment as specified in the relevant international conventions to which China has acceded and agreements which China has concluded with the international organizations concerned. Article 25 Persons enjoying diplomatic privileges and immunities under the present Regulations shall: (1) respect Chinese laws and regulations; (2) not interfere in the internal affairs of China; (3) not practise for personal profit any professional or commercial activity on Chinese territory; (4) not use the premises of the mission and the residence of the members of the staff of the mission for purposes incompatible with the functions of the mission. Article 26 In case the diplomatic privileges and immunities accorded by a foreign State to the Chinese mission and its members in that State and to visiting Chinese personnel concerned are fewer than those China would give under the present Regulations to the mission of that State and its members in China and its visiting personnel concerned, the Chinese Government may accord them such diplomatic privileges and immunities as appropriate on a reciprocal basis. Article 27 Where there are other provisions in international treaties to which China is a contracting or acceding party, the provisions of those treaties shall prevail, with the exception of those provisions on which China has expressed reservations. Where there are other provisions in agreements on diplomatic privileges and immunities between China and other countries, the provisions of those agreements shall prevail. Article 28 For the purpose of the present Regulations, the following expressions shall have the meanings hereunder assigned to them: (1) the “head of the mission” is the ambassador, minister, charge d’affaires or other person of equivalent rank charged by the sending State with the duty of acting in that capacity; (2) the “members of the mission” are the head of the mission and the members of the staff of the mission; (3) the “members of the staff of the mission” are the members of the diplomatic staff, of the administrative and technical staff and of the service staff of the mission; (4) the “members of the diplomatic staff of the mission” are the members of the staff of the mission having diplomatic rank; (5) a “diplomatic agent” is the head of the mission or a member of the diplomatic staff of the mission; (6) the “members of the administrative and technical staff of the mission” are the members of the staff of the mission engaged in the administrative and technical work of the mission; (7) the “members of the service staff of the mission” are the members of the staff of the mission in the domestic service of the mission; (8) a “private attendant” is a person in the private employment of a member of the mission; (9) the “premises of the mission” are the buildings and the land ancillary thereto used for the purposes of the mission and the residence of the head of the mission. Article 29 The present Regulations shall enter into force on the date of their promulgation. TUNG Chee-hwa Chief Executive 1 July 1997