Directory_and_Chronicle_1925 — Page 481

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CHINA'S PERMANENT CONSTITUTION

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Art. 74. The tenure of office of the President shall be five years, but if re-elected he may hold office for a second term.

Three months previous to the expiration of the term of office of the President the members of Parliament shall themselves convene and organize an Electoral

·College for the election of a President for the next term.

Art. 75.-When the President assumes his office he shall take oath as follows:

"I hereby solemnly swear that I will most faithfully observe the Con-

stitution and discharge the duties of the President.

Art. 76.—Should the post of the

the post of the President become vacant, the Vice- President shall succeed him for the period until the expiry of the term of office of the President.

Should the President be unable for any reason to discharge his duties, the Vice- President shall act in his place.

Should the Vice-President vacate his post whilst the Presidency is vacant the Cabinet shall officiate for the President, but in such event the members of Parlia- ment shall within three months convene themselves and organize an Electoral College to elect a President for the next term.

Art. 77. The President shall be relieved from his duty at the end of his term of office. If at the end of the period the next President has not yet been elected, or, having been elected, be unable to be inaugurated as President,. and the Vice-President is also unable to act as President, the Cabinet shall officiate for the President.

Art. 78.-The election of the Vice-President shall, in accordance with the regulations governing the election of the President, take place simultaneously with the election of the President. But in case the Vice-Presidency becomes vacant a new Vice-President shall thereupon be elected to fill the vacancy.

Art. 79. The President shall promulgate laws and shall supervise and secure their enforcement.

Art. 80.-The President may issue orders for the execution of laws or powers delegated to him by the law.

Art. 81.-The President shall appoint and dismiss civil and military officials, with the exception of those specially fixed by the Constitution or other laws, which shall be duly observed.

Art. 82. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and of the Navy of the Republic, and shall be in command thereof.

The organization of the Army and of the Navy shall be determined by law.

Art. 83.-In foreign intercourse the President shall be the representative of the Republic.

Art. 84.--The President may, with the concurrence of Parliament, declare war, but in measures of defence against foreign invasion he may request the sanction of Parliament after the declaration of war.

Art. 85.--The President may conclude treaties; but treaties of peace and those affecting legislation shall not become valid until the consent of Parliament shall have been obtained.

Art. 86.-The President may proclaim Martial Law according to law; but if Parliament should consider that there is no such necessity, he must declare the -withdrawal of Martial Law.

Art. 87.-The President may, with the concurrence of the Supreme Court of Justice, grant pardons, commute punishment and restore civil rights; but with regard to a verdict of impeachment, he shall not, except with the concurrence of the .Senate, make any announcement of restoration of rights.