Patriotic Education Law of the People's Republic of China

(Adopted at the 6th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Fourteenth National People's Congress on October 24, 2023)

Contents

Chapter I  General Provisions

Chapter II  Duties and Tasks

Chapter III  Implementation Measures

Chapter IV  Support Measures

Chapter V  Supplementary Provisions

Chapter I   General Provisions

Article 1 This Law is enacted in accordance with the Constitution to enhance patriotic education in the new era, carry forward the spirit of patriotism, and form a mighty force to build China into a modern socialist country in all respects and advance the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts.

Article 2 China is one of the world's oldest countries, where the diverse ethnic groups have collaboratively shaped a glorious and magnificent culture and established a unified multiethnic nation. The state carries out patriotic education among all the people to nurture and deepen their love for the Chinese nation and the great motherland, carry forward the national ethos, bolster national identity, and strengthen and rally all patriotic forces, so that patriotism becomes the steadfast conviction, source of inspiration, and voluntary action of every citizen.

Article 3 Patriotic education shall be carried out with the great banner of socialism with Chinese characteristics held high and be guided by Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. In patriotic education, it shall be adhered to that the love for the country, the Communist Party of China, and socialism is undividable. Patriotic education shall focus on national and ethnic unity, and be put under a pronounced theme of building China into a great modern socialist country in all respects and rejuvenating the Chinese nation.

Article 4 Patriotic education shall be placed under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and be carried out in the manner of unified leadership, collective management, extensive participation, and coordinated efforts.

Article 5 Patriotic education shall emphasize the theoretical guidance and cultural immersion, and combine theories and practice. It shall be integrated into daily activities with clear focuses, be adapted to local conditions, and be results-oriented.

Article 6 Central to patriotic education are:

(1) Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era;

(2) histories of the Communist Party of China, of the People's Republic of China, of the reform and opening up, of the development of socialism, and of the development of the Chinese nation;

(3) the socialist system with Chinese characteristics, and the major achievements, historical experience, and tangible actions of the Communist Party of China as it led the people to strive in unity;

(4) China's fine traditional culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture;

(5) national symbols such as the National Flag, National Anthem, and National Emblem;

(6) China's majestic landscapes as well as historical and cultural legacies;

(7)  the Constitution and laws, as well as the understanding and awareness of national and ethnic unity, national security, national defense, etc.;

(8)  deeds of heroes, martyrs, and exemplary individuals, and the national ethos and zeitgeist they represent; and

(9)  other content rich in the spirit of patriotism.

Article 7 The state shall provide education to forge a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation. By facilitating interactions, exchanges, and integration among all ethnic groups, the state aims to deepen the appreciation of the great motherland, the Chinese nation, the Chinese culture, the Communist Party of China, and socialism with Chinese characteristics, and build a cultural home shared by the whole Chinese nation.

Article 8 Patriotic education shall see the fine traditional Chinese culture alive, strong and upgraded, core socialist values promoted, the socialist culture with Chinese characteristics developed, cultural confidence raised, and the Chinese nation's modern civilization improved.

Article 9 Through patriotic education, the spirit of patriotism shall be carried forward in the course of deepening opening up. Patriotic education shall adopt a rational, inclusive, and open-minded approach, show respect for the characteristics of the histories and cultural traditions of different countries, and draw inspiration from all of human civilization's outstanding achievements.

Article 10 On the National Day of the People's Republic of China celebrated every October 1, both the state and various sectors of society shall organize a range of celebratory events, placing a special emphasis on patriotic education.

Chapter II   Duties and Tasks

Article 11 The central department in charge of patriotic education shall guide, supervise, and coordinate patriotic education efforts nationwide.

All departments of central Party and state organs shall organize work concerning patriotic education within their purview.

Article 12 Regional departments in charge of patriotic education shall guide, supervise, and coordinate patriotic education efforts in their respective regions.

Administrative departments of education at or above the county level shall enhance the organization, coordination, guidance, and supervision of school-based patriotic education. Departments in charge of culture and tourism, press and publication, radio and television, films, cyberspace, cultural heritage, and other relevant departments at or above the county level shall implement work concerning patriotic education within their purview.

The People's Liberation Army of China and the Chinese People's Armed Police Force shall implement work concerning patriotic education in accordance with this Law and the relevant regulations of the Central Military Commission, and fully leverage their resources to advance patriotic education among the public.

Article 13 Trade unions, Communist Youth League organizations, women's federations, federations of industry and commerce, federations of literary and art circles, writers' associations, associations for science and technology, federations of returned overseas Chinese, federations of Taiwan compatriots, federations of persons with disabilities, youth federations, and other people's organizations shall, based on their advantages, conduct patriotic education among relevant groups in their respective fields.

Article 14 The state adopts various methods to conduct legal publicity and education, as well as education on national security and defense, to increase citizens' awareness of rule of law, national security, and national defense, and encourage their voluntary performance of obligations to protect national and ethnic unity, national security, and the honor and interests of the state.

Article 15 The state incorporates patriotic education into the national education system. Schools at all levels and of all types shall provide coherent patriotic education throughout their curriculum, provide high-quality theoretical and political lessons, and integrate patriotic education into various subjects and textbooks.

Schools at all levels and of all types, as well as other educational institutions, shall set up a collaborative curriculum mechanism for patriotic education in line with state regulations. They shall customize the core content of patriotic education based on the characteristics of students from different age groups. By utilizing diverse and suitable teaching methods, they shall enhance the relevance, comprehensiveness, resonance, and impact of patriotic education.

Article 16 Schools at all levels and of all types shall combine classroom instruction with hands-on extracurricular experiences, weaving patriotic education into the fabric of campus cultural development and diverse school events and organizing students to visit patriotic education bases and other related facilities, and to partake in outside-the-classroom activities that emphasize patriotic education.

Article 17 Parents and other guardians of minors shall infuse a love for the country into their family education. They shall also support and provide cooperation in school-led patriotic initiatives and encourage the youth to partake in related extracurricular activities.

Article 18 State organs shall enhance the patriotic education of their public employees, giving full play to their exemplary role in serving the country loyally and selflessly, upholding national and ethnic unity, and safeguarding the national security and the honor and interests of the state.

Article 19 Enterprises and public institutions shall incorporate patriotic education into their educational agendas, emphasize the ethos of model workers, dedication to occupation, and high standards of craftsmanship, and combine patriotic education with business management, skills training, cultural and sports activities, etc.

Public institutions in the fields of education, science and technology, culture, public health, and sports shall vigorously promote the spirit of scientists and dedication to their professions. They shall advocate and nurture a patriotic ethos among intellectuals, professionals, and athletes, inspiring them to hold their motherland dear, serve the public, and contribute to the nation's prestige.

Article 20 Primary-level people's governments and people's organizations for self-governance shall incorporate patriotic education into their initiatives to promote socialist cultural-ethical progress. They shall incorporate the spirit of patriotism into community and village rules, and encourage and support the organization of activities such as public cultural and sports activities centered around patriotism.

Article 21 Industry associations, chambers of commerce, and other societies shall have the spirit of patriotism embodied in their charters and industry standards, carry out patriotic education based on their characteristics, foster a sense of patriotic passion and social responsibility among their members, and leverage the leading role of celebrities and other influential people among their members.

Article 22 The state encourages patriotic education among religious groups, at religious academies, and at venues for religious activities, thereby enhancing the sense of national identity, civil awareness, the awareness of rule of law, and patriotic sentiments among religious faculty members and congregations, and improving the compatibility of religions with socialist society.

Article 23 The state implements initiatives to conduct education both on history and culture and on the policy of One Country, Two Systems, to strengthen the spirit of patriotism of compatriots in both the Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions, and to inspire the compatriots to proactively safeguard national sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

The state amplifies its advocacy of and education on the policy regarding national reunification, in an effort to deepen the understanding of the revered task of national reunification among all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots. Taiwan compatriots’ rights and interests shall be protected in accordance with the law, separatist activities aimed at "Taiwan independence" shall be resolutely opposed, and the fundamental interests of the Chinese nation shall be safeguarded.

The state commits to deepening ties with overseas Chinese communities and ensuring their rights are protected and services are well provided, all while nurturing their innate sense of patriotism and honoring patriotic traditions.

Chapter III   Implementation Measures

Article 24 Central and provincial-level departments in charge of patriotic education shall enhance coordination of patriotic education. They shall boost innovation in patriotic education methods by relevant departments and entities with proper guidance, and leverage various resources and platforms for patriotic education to be effectively carried out.

Article 25 People's governments at or above the county level shall strengthen the protection, management, and use of the resources related to the heritage of the Communist Party of China. They shall carry forward the spirit of patriotism by exploring such resources of historic or commemorative value, promote tourism related to the heritage of the Communist Party of China in the development of demonstration areas, and tap into the educational potential of such resources to bolster patriotism.

Departments of culture and tourism, housing and urban-rural development, and cultural heritage of people's governments at or above the county level shall enhance the preservation and use of historical cultural heritage, such as artifacts, ancient relics, traditional villages, and artisan skills, explore the spirit of patriotism embodied therein, and advance deeper integration of culture and tourism based thereon. They shall lead citizens on a journey where they can marvel at the vast and beautiful landscapes, immerse themselves in a rich history and vibrant culture to evoke patriotism among citizens.

Article 26 Patriotic education bases shall improve their content, diversify exhibition methods, and produce high-quality displays, facilitating patriotic education activities and visits for learning purposes by state organs, enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, and the public, and serving their purposes of promoting patriotic education.

Museums, memorial halls, libraries, tech centers, cultural centers, art galleries, and Chinese cultural centers in the new era shall fully leverage their resources and advantages to carry out patriotic education activities via communication, exhibitions and hands-on experience.

Article 27 Through commendation systems, the state praises those contributing significantly to building China into a great country and rejuvenating the Chinese nation, to promote the national ethos centered around patriotism, as well as the zeitgeist primarily characterized by reform and innovation.

Article 28 On notable and commemorative days such as the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Martyrs' Day, and the National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, people's governments at or above the county level shall arrange memorial activities, such as wreath-laying, visits to memorial installations, tomb-sweeping, and public memorial ceremonies.

Article 29 During notable festivals such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, New Year's Day, International Women's Day, International Labor Day, Youth Day, International Children's Day, and Chinese Farmers’ Harvest Festival, various distinctive folk culture events and commemorative celebrations shall be organized to deepen people's love for the country.

Article 30 For major celebrations, commemorations, large-scale cultural and sports activities, and exhibitions, a formal and solemn ceremony of raising the National Flag and singing the National Anthem shall be held in accordance with the law.

During ceremonies such as the public pledge of allegiance to the Constitution or the public pledge of allegiance by new servicepersons and reservists in accordance with the law, the National Flag must be prominently displayed with the National Anthem being played and sung. The words in the pledge of allegiance shall encapsulate the spirit of patriotism.

Article 31 Radio and TV stations, along with newspaper and magazine publishers, shall adopt innovative approaches to public communications and vividly convey patriotic stories to promote the spirit of patriotism by producing, broadcasting, and publishing exemplary content centered on patriotic themes, introducing dedicated sections and columns, bolstering news reporting, issuing public service advertisements, and other means.

Article 32 Providers of online information services shall bolster the creation of content focused on online patriotic education. They shall produce and spread online information and works that embody the spirit of patriotism and carry out online patriotic education through lively activities by leveraging new platforms, technologies, and products.

Chapter IV   Support Measures

Article 33 The state encourages and supports the organization of patriotic education activities by enterprises, public institutions, social organizations, and citizens in accordance with the law.

The state supports research into the theories of patriotic education and enhances various levels of training and education for specialists.

Entities and individuals that have made notable contributions to patriotic education shall be commended and awarded based on the relevant state regulations.

Article 34 The central department in charge of patriotic education shall establish sound systems for the recognition, protection, and management of dedicated patriotic education bases. The department shall create protection and utilization plans for these bases and provide stronger guidance for and enhance supervision of the protection, management, and utilization of such bases.

People's governments at all levels shall enhance the planning, development, and management of the patriotic education bases and improve the system of free access to these bases, and the relevant supportive mechanism.

Article 35 The state encourages and supports the creation of patriotic literature, films and television programs, music, dances, theater plays, fine arts, calligraphy, and the like. In evaluating, commending, showcasing, and performing these exceptional artistic creations, patriotism shall be highlighted.

Article 36 The state encourages and supports the publishing of outstanding supplementary reading materials and the development of animations, audio and video content, and other content tailored for teenagers and children that exemplify the spirit of patriotism

Article 37 All citizens and organizations shall uphold the spirit of patriotism and proactively maintain the national security and safeguard the honor and interests of the state. The following acts are prohibited:

(1) desecrating the National Flag, Anthem, or Emblem, or other acts that degrade their dignity;

(2) distorting, vilifying, blaspheming, or denying the deeds and spirit of heroes and martyrs;

(3) endorsing or glorifying wars of aggression, acts of aggression, or mass atrocities;

(4) illegally occupying, damaging, or defacing infrastructure dedicated to patriotic education; and

(5) other acts prohibited in laws and administrative regulations.

Article 38 Departments of education, culture and tourism, veteran affairs, the press and publication, radio and television, films, cyberspace, cultural heritage, and other departments shall, according to their statutory responsibilities, stop acts that violate Article 37 of this Law in a timely manner. Should these violations result in adverse social effects, the departments shall order the violators to eliminate the adverse effects in a timely manner and impose penalties thereon based on the relevant provisions of laws and administrative regulations. Acts breaching public security administration shall be subject to administrative public security penalties. Where any of the acts constitutes a crime, the violator shall be held criminally liable.

Article 39 Where any department or entity tasked with patriotic education fails to fulfill the patriotic education responsibilities in accordance with the law, the responsible leaders and directly responsible persons shall be sanctioned in accordance with the law.

Chapter V   Supplementary Provisions

Article 40 This Law shall go into effect on January 1, 2024.