!LAW OF THE RED CROSS SOCIETY of the People’s Republic of China (Adopted at the Fourth Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National People’s Congress on October 31, 1993, and is hereby promulgated, and comes into effect on the date of its promulgation) CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS Article 1 This regulation was formulated in order to protect the life and health of people, fostering the spirit of humanism, promoting peace and progress, and ensuring the Red Cross Society fulfills its duties and responsibilities in accordance with the law. Article 2 The Red Cross Society of China is a unitary Red Cross organization of the People’s Republic of China and is a social relief organization that engages in humanitarian work. Article 3 All citizens of the People’s Republic of China who, regardless of ethnicity, race, sex, occupation, religious belief and education level,, recognize the Red Cross Society of China and pay membership dues, may join the Society on a voluntary basis. Article 4 The Red Cross Society of China shall abide by the Constitution and laws of China, adhere to the Fundamental Principles established by the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement, and carry out its work independently in accordance with the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols acceded to by China and the Statutes of the Red Cross Society of China. Article 5 The People’s Government shall provide support and financial aid to the Red Cross Society of China, ensuring the Society lawfully fulfills its duties and responsibilities, and exercise supervision over its activities; the Society shall assist the People’s Government in initiating activities relevant to its own duties and responsibilities. Article 6 The Red Cross Society of China shall develop friendly and cooperative relations with the Red Cross Societies and the Red Crescent Societies of all countries on the principles of independence, equality and mutual respect. Ï¿¦
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1 following functions and duties: (1) to make preparations for disaster relief; in case of natural disasters and emergencies, to offer relief and assistance to the sick, the injured and other victims; (2) to disseminate knowledge about hygiene, first aid skills, and disease prevention, conduct training in basic hygiene and first-aid skills, organize the masses to participate in on-site first-aid situations; participate in blood transfusion and donation activities; promote gratuitous donation of blood; and provide other humanitarian services; (3) to initiate Red Cross activities among the youth; (4) to take part in international humanitarian relief work; (5) to propagate the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement and the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols; (6) to fulfill the tasks entrusted by the people’s government in accordance with the Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and the Red Crescent Movement; and (7) to conduct its work in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols. Article 13 The Red Cross Society of China shall have the right to dispose of the accepted relief goods and materials; and in disposing of the contributed money and goods, it shall honour the wishes of the donors. Article 14 In conducting relief operations during natural disasters and emergencies, personnel, goods and materials, and transportation vehicles marked with the sign of the Red Cross shall enjoy priority in transportation. . Article 15 No organization or individual shall refuse or obstruct the staff of the Red Cross Society in performing their duties and responsibilities as prescribed by law. In cases of natural disasters and emergencies, those who utilize violence and threats to obstruct the staff of the Red –]„l? YqÏ
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