Nineteen Articles (1911)

The Grand Qing Dynasty shall reign forever. The person of the Emperor shall be inviolable. The power of the Emperor shall be limited by the Constitution. The order of succession shall be prescribed in the Constitution. The Constitution shall be drawn up and adopted by the National Legislative Council and promulgated by the Emperor. The power of amending the Constitution shall belong to the National Assembly. The members of the Upper House shall be elected by the people from among those eligible for the position. The National Assembly shall elect the Premier, whom the Emperor will then appoint. The other Cabinet ministers shall be recommended by the Premier and appointed by the Emperor. Members of the Imperial Family shall be ineligible to serve as Premier, Cabinet ministers and administrative heads of the provinces. If the Premier, on being impeached by the National Assembly, does not dissolve the National Assembly, he shall resign; but one Cabinet shall not be allowed to dissolve the National Assembly more than once. The Emperor shall assume direct control of the army and navy; but, when this power is used with regard to internal affairs, he must observe special conditions to be prescribed by the National Assembly. Imperial decrees shall not be made to replace law; except in the event of emergency, decrees shall be issued only for the execution of law and under the authorization of law. International treaties shall not be concluded without the consent of the National Assembly; but, when the National Assembly is not in session, the declaration of war and conclusion of peace may be made by the Emperor and approved by it afterwards. Ordinances in connection with government administration shall be prescribed by law. In case the Budget fails to receive the approval of the National Assembly, the Government shall not act upon the previous year's Budget nor may items of expenditures not provided for in the Budget be appended to it. The Government shall not be allowed to adopt extraordinary financial measures outside the Budget. The National Assembly shall fix the expenses of the Imperial Household and any increase or decrease therein. The grand ceremonies of the Imperial Family shall not be in conflict with the Constitution. The agency for the adjudication of state affairs shall be established by the two houses. The Emperor shall promulgate the decisions of the National Assembly. The National Legislative Council shall act upon Articles 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 18 until the opening of the National Assembly.
 * Article 1
 * Article 2
 * Article 3
 * Article 4
 * Article 5
 * Article 6
 * Article 7
 * Article 8
 * Article 9
 * Article 10
 * Article 11
 * Article 12
 * Article 13
 * Article 14
 * Article 15
 * Article 16
 * Article 17
 * Article 18
 * Article 19