Chapter I  General Provisions

Article 1 The full name of the Association is Guangdong People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries. Guangdong Friendship Association is called in short and "GDPAFFC" are the abbreviations.

Article 2 The Association is a non-governmental organization at the provincial level and an organization member of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

Article 3 The objective of the Association is to promote understanding, friendship and cooperation between the people in Guangdong Province and other peoples in the world and do its parts in the maintenance of world peace and facilitation of common development.

Article 4 The Association implements the independent and peaceful foreign policy of China, complys with five principles of peaceful coexistence and conducts the work of people to people at all levels and in all directions.

Chapter II  Commitments

Article 5 The Association engages in the development of co-operative relations with foreign friendly organizations, institutions and public figures of all circles. It promotes various exchange programs through exchanged visits and study, enhances understanding and friendship, common prosperity and social development through organizing diversified activities.   

Article 6 The Association actively participates in activities organized by Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and accomplishes missions entrusted by the National Association. It also supports and coordinates friendly exchange activities of associations from other provinces and cities.

Article 7 The Association assists relevant institutions in the province to develop cooperation in the fields of economy, social development, science and technology, education, culture and sports and exchanges of competent professionals.

Article 8 The Association conducts regional cultural exchanges with its foreign counterparts.

Article 9 The Association coordinates and assists its affiliated associations and institutions concerned to develop overseas people-to-people exchanges under the guidance of Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

Article 10 The Association undertakes other programmes conducive to the promotion of friendly relations between the people of Guangdong Province and other peoples of the world.

Article 11 The Association sets up the honorary title of "Guangdong People's Envoy of Friendship" and confers it to international friendly personnels who have made great contributions to Guangdong's friendly exchange undertaking with foreign countries.

Chapter III  Organizational Framework
Article 12 The Association adopts organizational membership. Besides its organization members, the Association may engage qualified personnels from home or abroad to be its Specially Engaged Member.

Article 13 The supreme body of Guangdong Friendship Association is its Council, each term of the council is five years.

Article 14 The responsibilities of the Council are as follows:
1. Review the work report of Guangdong Friendship Association;
2. Draft and revise the charter of Guangdong Friendship Association;
3. Decide the work principles and missions under the guidance of National Association;
4. Recommend honorary presidents and advisors;
5. Elect president, vice presidents and secretary-general;
6. Engage council members.

Article 15  When the Council is not in session, president, vice presidents and secretary general are in full charge of the routine operation. Council meetings may be convened irregularly if necessary. A certain number of deputy secretaries generals are appointed and the office of Guangdong Friendship Association is established for routine operation.

Chapter IV The Associations at city and county level

Article 16 Associations at city or county level may be established for the need of developing external relations.

Article 17 Associations at city or county level are non-governmental organizations. They are organization members of Guangdong Friendship Association.

Article 18 The work of Associations at city or county level in Guangdong Province shall be subject to the guidance of friendship associations at higher level.

Chapter V The Rights and Obligations of Members

Article 19 On the basis of supporting the Charter of the Association and willing to join the Association, any legitimate group or organization at the provincial level registered with Guangdong Civil Affairs Administration, and legitimate companies, enterprises and institutions registered with Industrial and Commercial Administration may apply for the membership of Guangdong Friendship Association and become an organization member upon approval. The council member will be recommended by the organization and be engaged upon approval and can be readjusted if there is a need.

Article 20 Organization members may put forward proposals suitable in conducting their exchanges and cooperation with foreign countries. With consent from and in line with the objective of the Association, organization members may launch international programs in line with the objective of the Association in the name of the council member of the Association.

Article 21 Organization members shall actively participate in the activities of the Association, keep in contact and exchange information with the Association.

Article 22 Any Organization members and council members which violate China's laws and regulations or the Charter of the Association can be invalidated through the vote of the Council or the Executive Committee.

Chapter VI Funds
Article 23 The sources of funds:
1. Donations and sponsorship from both home and overseas;
2. Earnings from activities organized by the Association;
3. Appropriation from local governments

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions
Article 24  The Association is based in Guangzhou

Article 25 The Charter goes into effect upon the approval of the Eighth Council Conference of the Association. The right of explanation belongs to the standing meeting of the Association.

Editor: Wing