Art. 3.  The territory of the Chinese Republic consists of the 18 provinces, Inner and Outer Mongolia, Tibet and Ching-hai.

Art. 4.  The sovereignty of the Chinese Republic is exercised by the National Council, the Provisional President, the Cabinet and the Judiciary.

CHAPTER II.—­CITIZENS

Art. 5.  Citizens of the Chinese Republic are all equal, and there shall be no racial class or religious distinctions.

Art. 6.  Citizens shall enjoy the following rights:—­

(a) The person of the citizens shall not be arrested, imprisoned, tried or punished except in accordance with law.

(b) The habitations of citizens shall not be entered or searched except in accordance with law.

(c) Citizens shall enjoy the right of the security of their property and the freedom of trade.

(d) Citizens shall have the freedom of speech, of composition, of publication, of assembly and of association.

(e) Citizens shall have the right of the secrecy of their letters.

(f) Citizens shall have the liberty of residence and removal.

(g) Citizens shall have the freedom of religion.

Art. 7.  Citizens shall have the right to petition the Parliament.

Art. 8.  Citizens shall have the right of petitioning the executive officials.

Art. 9.  Citizens shall have the right to institute proceedings before the Judiciary, and to receive its trial and judgment.

Art. 10.  Citizens shall have the right of suing officials in the Administrative Courts for violation of law or against their rights.

Art. 11.  Citizens shall have the right of participating in civil examinations.

Art. 12.  Citizens shall have the right to vote and to be voted for.

Art. 13.  Citizens shall have the duty to pay taxes according to law.

Art. 14.  Citizens shall have the duty to enlist as soldiers according to law.

Art. 15.  The rights of citizens as provided in the present Chapter shall be limited or modified by laws, provided such limitation or modification shall be deemed necessary for the promotion of public welfare, for the maintenance of public order, or on account of extraordinary exigency.

CHAPTER III.—­THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

Art. 16.  The legislative power of the Chinese Republic is exercised by the National Council.

Art. 17.  The Council shall be composed of members elected by the several districts as provided in Article 18.

Art. 18.  The Provinces, Inner and Outer Mongolia, and Tibet shall each elect and depute five members to the Council, and Chinghai shall elect one member.

The election districts and methods of elections shall be decided by the localities concerned.

During the meeting of the Council each member shall have one vote.