Regulations of the People's Republic of China Concerning Consular Privileges and Immunities (1990)

Order of the President of the People's Republic of China No. 35

The Regulations of the People's Republic of China Concerning Consular Privileges and Immunities, which was adopted at the 16th session of the Standing Committee of the 7th National People's Congress on October 30, 1990, is released hereby and shall take effect as of the date of promulgation.
President of the People's Republic of China Yang Shangkun
October 30, 1990

Regulations of the People's Republic of China Concerning Consular Privileges and Immunities
(Adopted at the 16th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Seventh National People's Congress on October 30, 1990)
　
Article 1 These Regulations are formulated for the purpose of defining the consular privileges and immunities of the foreign consular posts in China and their members and facilitating the efficient performance of the functions of such foreign consular posts in their consular districts as representatives of the sending States.
　
Article 2 Consular officers shall be of the nationality of the sending State. They may, only with the consent of the competent Chinese authorities, be appointed from among persons of Chinese or third-state nationality or nationals of the sending State who are permanent residents of China. This consent may be withdrawn at any time by the said Chinese authorities.
　
Article 3 The consular post and its head shall have the right to use the national flag and emblem of the sending State on the premises of the consular post, on the residence of the head of the consular post and on his means of transport when used on official business.
　
Article 4 The premises of the consular post shall be inviolable. Chinese government functionaries may enter them only with the consent of the head of the consular post or the head of the diplomatic mission of the sending State or another person authorized by either of them. The consent of the head of the consular post may be assumed in case of fire or other disaster requiring prompt protective action. The Chinese authorities concerned shall take appropriate measures to protect the premises of the consular post against any intrusion or damage.
　
Article 5 The premises of the consular post and the residence of its head shall be exempt from dues and taxes other than such as represent payment for specific services rendered.
The fees and charges levied by the consular post in the course of its official duties shall be exempt from all dues and taxes.
　
Article 6 The archives and documents of the consular post shall be inviolable.
　
Article 7 The members of the consular post 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 consular post may for official purposes communicate freely with the Government and the diplomatic mission and other consular posts of the sending State. In so doing, it may employ all appropriate means, including diplomatic couriers or consular couriers, diplomatic bag or consular bag, and messages in code or cipher.
　
Article 9 The consular post may install and use a wireless transmitter-receiver only with the consent of the Chinese Government.
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