第一条孔子学院致力于适应世界各国（地区）人民对汉语学习的需要，增进世界各国（地区）人民对中国语言文化的了解，加强中国与世界各国教育文化交流合作，发展中国与外国的友好关系，促进世界多元文化发展，构建和谐世界。
第二条本章程适用于世界各地的孔子学院。
第三条孔子学院的外文名称应与中文名称相符合。
第四条孔子学院为非营利性教育机构。
第五条孔子学院本着相互尊重、友好协商、平等互利的原则，在海外开展汉语教学和中外教育、文化等方面的交流与合作。
第六条孔子学院应当遵守注册地法律法规，尊重当地文化教育传统与社会习俗，并且不得与中国有关法律相抵触。
第七条孔子学院不参与同孔子学院设立宗旨不相符的活动。
第八条根据各国（地区）特点和需要，孔子学院的设置模式可以灵活多样。
第九条中国境外具有从事语言教学和教育文化交流活动能力且符合本章程规定申办者条件的法人机构，可以向孔子学院总部申办孔子学院。
第十条孔子学院的汉语教学采用普通话和规范汉字。
第二章业务范围
第十一条孔子学院提供下列服务：
（一）开展汉语教学；
（二）培训汉语教师，提供汉语教学资源；
（三）开展汉语考试和汉语教师资格认证；
（四）提供中国教育、文化等信息咨询；
（五）开展中外语言文化交流活动。
第三章总部
第十二条孔子学院总部是具有独立法人资格的非营利机构，拥有孔子学院名称、标识、品牌的所有权，负责管理和指导全球孔子学院。孔子学院总部设在中国北京。
第十四条理事会的职责是：制定、修改孔子学院章程，审议全球孔子学院的发展战略和规划，审议总部年度工作报告和工作计划，研究孔子学院建设的重大事项。
第十五条理事会每年召开一次全体会议，由主席召集。必要时可由主席决定召开临时理事会或常务理事会议。
第十六条孔子学院总部在理事会领导下履行日常事务，其职责是：
（一）制订孔子学院建设规划和设置、评估标准；
（二）审批设置孔子学院；
（三）审批各地孔子学院的年度项目实施方案和预决算；
（四）指导、评估孔子学院办学活动，对孔子学院运行进行监督和质量管理；
（五）为各地孔子学院提供教学资源支持与服务；
（六）选派中方院长和教学人员，培训孔子学院管理人员和教师；
（七）每年组织召开孔子学院大会；
（八）制定中方资金资产管理制度。
第十七条总部设专项工作委员会，为总部提供咨询意见。委员由总部聘任。
第十八条总部聘请中外知名人士担任高级顾问。
第四章设置
第十九条孔子学院的申办者须符合下列条件：
（一）申办机构是所在地合法注册的法人机构，有从事教学和教育文化交流并提供公共服务的资源；
（二）申办机构所在地有学习中国语言和文化的需求；
（三）有符合办学需要的人员、场所、设施和设备；
第二十条孔子学院的申办者须向孔子学院总部提交申请，其中应包括下列内容：
（一）申办机构负责人签发的申请函；
（二）申办机构简介、注册证书、申办机构负责人介绍；
（三）用于孔子学院的教学场所、设施和设备；
（四）市场需求预测、管理机制及运营计划；
（五）经费筹措及管理；
（六）孔子学院总部要求提供的其他材料。
第二十一条孔子学院总部对申办者提交的申请材料进行审查，审查方式包括文件资料审查、当面听取报告、实地考察、专家咨询等。
第二十二条孔子学院总部批准申办后，与申办者签订协议并颁授孔子学院铭牌。
第五章经费
第二十三条对新开办的中外合作设置孔子学院，中方投入一定数额的启动经费。年度项目经费由外方承办单位和中方共同筹措，双方承担比例一般为1：1左右。
第二十四条孔子学院中方所提供经费实行项目管理，遵照《孔子学院中方资金管理办法》执行。
第六章管理
第二十五条孔子学院设立理事会。中外合作设置的孔子学院，理事会成员由双方共同组成，其人数及构成比例由双方协商确定。
第二十六条孔子学院理事会负责审议孔子学院发展规划、年度工作计划、年终总结报告、项目实施方案及其预决算，聘任、解聘院长、副院长。
聘任、解聘院长、副院长须报总部备案；中外合作设置的孔子学院院长、副院长的聘任由双方协商确定。
第二十七条孔子学院实行理事会领导下的院长负责制。院长负责孔子学院的日常运营和管理。
第二十八条孔子学院院长应当了解和熟悉中国国情，熟练掌握所在国语言，具有与本岗位工作相称的管理工作经验，具有较强的公共关系和市场开拓能力。
第二十九条孔子学院所聘教师应具备岗位所需的专业水平和教学能力。
第三十条孔子学院须按规定期限编制项目实施方案及预算、项目执行情况及决算，并报经总部审批。中方资产变更、处置须报总部审批。同时，须将年度工作计划和总结报总部备案。
第三十一条孔子学院不以营利为目的，其收益用于教学活动和改善教学服务条件，其积累用于孔子学院持续发展，不得挪作他用。
第三十二条孔子学院总部负责组织对各地孔子学院的评估，对违背办学宗旨或达不到办学质量标准的，孔子学院总部有权终止协议。
第三十三条孔子学院总部每年召开孔子学院大会，交流办学经验，研究孔子学院的建设和发展。
第七章权利与义务
第三十四条孔子学院的权利：
（一）享有本章程及协议规定的权利；
（二）有权使用孔子学院的名称和统一标识；
（三）优先获取孔子学院总部提供的教学和文化资源。
第三十五条孔子学院的义务：
（一）遵守本章程及协议的规定；
（二）维护孔子学院的声誉、形象；
（三）接受孔子学院总部的指导和评估。
第三十六条孔子学院总部有权依法追究任何下列行为的责任：
（一）未经孔子学院总部许可，擅自设立孔子学院；
（二）盗用孔子学院名义开展活动；
（三）违反本章程和协议规定，造成资金资产损失，破坏或严重影响孔子学院声誉。
第八章附则
第三十七条各地孔子学院可根据本章程制定本院的规章制度，并报总部备案。
第三十八条孔子课堂的设置和管理参照本章程执行。
第三十九条本章程由孔子学院总部负责解释。
第四十条本章程自孔子学院总部理事会批准之日起生效。
1.ConfuciusInstitutesdevotethemselvestosatisfyingthedemandsofpeoplefromdifferentcountriesandregionsintheworldwholearntheChineselanguage,toenhancingunderstandingoftheChineselanguageandculturebythesepeoples,tostrengtheningeducationalandculturalexchangeandcooperationbetweenChinaandothercountries,todeepeningfriendlyrelationshipswithothernations,topromotingthedevelopmentofmulti-culturalism,andtoconstructaharmoniousworld.
2.ThisConstitutionandBy-LawsisapplicabletoallConfuciusInstitutesworldwide.
3.Inanyotherlanguage,thenamechosentorepresenttheConfuciusInstitutesmustbeequivalentinconnotationandmeaningtothatoftheheadinstituteinChinese.
4.TheConfuciusInstitutesarenon-profiteducationalinstitutions.
5.Adheringtotheprinciplesofmutualrespect,friendlynegotiations,andmutualbenefit,theConfuciusInstitutesshalldevelopandfacilitatetheteachingoftheChineselanguageoverseasandpromoteeducationalandculturalexchangeandcooperationbetweenChinaandotherinternationalcommunities.
6.TheConfuciusInstitutesshallabidebythelawsandregulationsofthecountriesinwhichtheyarelocated,respectlocalculturalandeducationaltraditionsandsocialcustoms,andtheyshallnotcontraveneconcerningthelawsandregulationsofChina.
7.TheConfuciusInstitutesshallnotinvolveorparticipateinanyactivitiesthatarenotconsistentwiththemissionsofConfuciusInstitutes.
8.AConfuciusInstitutecanbeestablishedinvariousways,withtheflexibilitytorespondtothespecificcircumstancesandrequirementsfoundindifferentcountries.
9.AnycorporateentityoutsideofChinacapableoffacilitatinglanguageinstruction,conductingeducationalandculturalexchangeactivities,andmeetingtherequirementsforapplicationasstatedinthisConstitutionandBy-LawsmayapplytotheConfuciusInstituteHeadquartersforthepermissiontoestablishaConfuciusInstitute.
10.TheConfuciusInstitutesconductChineselanguageinstructionsinMandarin,usingStandardChineseCharacters.
Chapter2:BusinessService
11.TheConfuciusInstitutesshallprovidethefollowingservices:
a.Chineselanguageteaching;
b.TrainingChineselanguageinstructorsandprovidingChineselanguageteachingresources;
c.HoldingtheHSKexamination(ChineseProficiencyTest)andtestsfortheCertificationoftheChineseLanguageTeachers;
d.ProvidinginformationandconsultativeservicesconcerningChina’seducation,culture,andsoforth;
e.ConductinglanguageandculturalexchangeactivitiesbetweenChinaandothercountries.
Chapter3:TheHeadquarters
12.TheConfuciusInstituteHeadquartersisanon-profitorganizationthathastheindependentstatusofacorporatebody.Itownstheproprietorshipofthename,logoandbrandoftheConfuciusInstitutes.TheHeadquartersistheregulatorybodythatprovidesguidelinestotheConfuciusInstitutesworldwide.TheHeadquartersislocatedinBeijinginthePeople’sRepublicofChina.
14.ThedutiesoftheCouncilinclude:FormulatingandamendingtheConstitutionandBy-LawsoftheConfuciusInstitutes,examiningandapprovingthedevelopmentstrategiesandplansofglobalConfuciusInstitutes,examiningandapprovingannualreportsandworkingplansoftheHeadquarters,anddiscussingissuesofsignificanceconcerningthedevelopmentofConfuciusInstitutes.
15.TheCouncilshallassembleonceayear,calledbytheChair.Whenneeded,theChairmaydecidetocallforprovisionalCouncilMeetingsorExecutiveCouncilMemberMeetings.
16.UndertheleadershipoftheCouncil,theConfuciusInstituteHeadquarterscarriesoutitsowndailyoperations.Thedutiesinclude:
a.Formulatingdevelopmentplans,criteriafortheestablishmentofConfuciusInstitutes,andassessmentstandardsfortheConfuciusInstitutes;
b.ExaminingandapprovingapplicationsfortheestablishmentofnewConfuciusInstitutes;
c.Examiningandapprovingtheimplementationplansofannualprojects,annualbudgetaryitems,andfinalfinancialaccountsofindividualConfuciusInstitutes;
d.ProvidingguidelinesandmakingassessmentstoactivitiescarriedoutbyConfuciusInstitutes,supervisingtheiroperationsanddoingqualityassurancemanagement;
e.ProvidingsupportandteachingresourcestoindividualConfuciusInstitutes;
f.SelectingandappointingdirectorsandfacultiesfromtheChinesesideforindividualConfuciusInstitutes,andtrainingadministrativepersonnelandinstructorsfortheseConfuciusInstitutes;
g.OrganizingConfuciusInstitutesConferencesannually;
h.ConstitutingregulationsandinstitutionsforthemanagementoftheChinesefunds.
17.TheHeadquartersshallestablishSpecialWorkingCommitteesthatcanprovideconsultativesuggestionstotheHeadquarters.MembersoftheCommitteesshallbeappointedbytheHeadquarters.
18.TheHeadquartersshallinvitewell-knownleadersandvisionariesofbothChinaandabroadtobeSeniorConsultants.
Chapter4:Establishment
19.AnapplicationforthepermissiontoestablishaConfuciusInstitutemustsatisfactorilydemonstratethefollowing:
a.Thattheapplicantisalegallyregisteredorganizationorcorporationattheplacewhereitislocatedwithresourcestoconductteaching,educationalandculturalexchanges,andpublicservice;
b.ThatthereisademandforlearningtheChineselanguageandcultureattheapplicant’slocation;
c.Thatthepersonnel,space,facilities,andequipmentsrequiredforlanguageandcultureinstructionareavailable;
d.Thatthecapitalfortheestablishmentisinplace,andthatthesourceoffundsforoperationisstable.
20.AnapplicantforthepermissiontoestablishaConfuciusInstituteshallsubmitanapplicationpackagetotheConfuciusInstituteHeadquarters.Thispackageshallinclude:
a.Anapplicationlettersignedbytheprincipalorpresident;
b.Anintroductionoftheapplicantsite,itsregistrationcertificate,andtheprincipalorpresident;
c.Afloorplanfortherequiredinstructionalspace,andlistsoftherelevantequipmentandfacilitiesavailablefortheproposedConfuciusInstitute;
d.Aprojectionofmarketdemand,managerialstructure,andoperationalplansfortheproposedConfuciusInstitute;
e.Astatementdetailingthesource,regulation,andmanagementofthefundsfortheproposedConfuciusInstitute;
f.OthermaterialsrequiredbytheConfuciusInstituteHeadquarters.
21.TheConfuciusInstituteHeadquarterswillassesstheapplicationpackagesubmittedbytheapplicant.Theassessmentmayincludeverificationofthedocumentmaterials,debriefingsandinterviews,on-siteverification,andconsultationwithexperts.
22.Upontheapprovalofanapplication,theConfuciusInstituteHeadquarterswillsignanagreementwiththeapplicant,thusconferringthepermissionforestablishmentandtheofficialConfuciusInstitutePlaqueuponthatapplicant.
Chapter5:Funds
23.AnewlyestablishedConfuciusInstitutewillreceiveaidtoitsinitialoperationintheformofasetamountoffundsprovidedbytheChineseParties.ThefundsforitsannualprojectsshallberaisedbyindividualConfuciusInstitutesandtheChinesePartiestogetherinaratioofapproximately1:1commitmentingeneral.
24.TheaforementionedfundsprovidedbytheChinesePartieswillbemanagedthroughprojectmanagementmeasures.DetailedmeasuresarestipulatedinRegulationsforAdministeringtheChineseFundsfortheConfuciusInstitutes.
Chapter6:Administration
25.AnindividualConfuciusInstituteshallestablishaBoardofDirectors.AConfuciusInstituteestablishedunderjointventurebetweenChineseandoverseaspartnersshallformaBoardofDirectorsconsistingofmembersfrombothsides.ThetotalnumberofmembersandthecomponentratiooftheBoardshallbedeterminedthroughconsultation.
26.TheBoardofDirectorsshallberesponsibleforassessingandapprovingtheConfuciusInstitute’sdevelopmentplans,annualplans,annualreports,projectimplementationschemes,budgetproposals,finalfinancialaccounts.TheBoardshallalsoberesponsibleforappointinganddismissingDirectorsandDeputyDirectorsoftheConfuciusInstitute.AppointmentsanddismissalsofDirectorsandDeputyDirectorsshallbeputonrecordsattheHeadquarters.TheappointmentsofDirectorsandDeputyDirectorsforjointventureConfuciusInstitutesshallbedecideduponnegotiationsbetweentheChineseandoverseaspartners.
27.AnindividualConfuciusInstituteshalladoptasysteminwhichtheDirector,undertheleadershipoftheBoardofDirectors,shallassumethemainresponsibilityfortheInstitute’sdailyoperationandadministration.
28.TheDirectorofaConfuciusInstituteshallhavein-depthcomprehensionofChinesecurrentnationalissues,askillfulcommandofthelanguageofthecountryinwhichtheInstituteislocated,suitableadministrativeexperiencesinthisposition,andastrongabilitytopromotepublicaffiliationandmarketpotential.
29.InstructorsappointedbyConfuciusInstitutesshallhaveprofessionalknowledgeandteachingcompetencerequiredbysuchpositionsasteachers.
30.AnindividualConfuciusInstitute,intheallottedtime,shalldrawupexecutableplansforannualprojectsandbudgetproposals,summarizingtheimplementalefficacyreportsofannualprojectsandfinalfinancialaccounts,andsubmitthemtotheHeadquartersforexaminationandapproval.ChangesanddispositionsmadetotheassetsontheChinesesideshallbereportedtotheHeadquartersforexaminationandapproval.IndividualConfuciusInstitutesshallalsosubmittheworkingschedulesandsummariesoftheirannualprojectstotheHeadquartersforarchivingpurposes.
31.ConfuciusInstitutesarenotprofit-makingorganizations,hence,incomedrawnfromoperationoftheInstitutesshallbeusedforteachingactivitiesandimprovingteachingandserviceconditions.TheaccumulatedincomeshallbeutilizedforsustainabledevelopmentoftheInstitutesandmaynotbeusedforpurposesotherwise.
32.TheConfuciusInstituteHeadquartersshallberesponsibleforconductingassessmentsofindividualConfuciusInstitutes.TheHeadquartersreservestherighttoterminatetheAgreementswiththoseInstitutesthatviolatetheprinciplesorobjectives,orfailtoreachtheteachingqualitystandardssetforthbytheheadestablishment.
33.TheConfuciusInstituteHeadquartersshallconveneaConfuciusInstituteConferenceannuallytoprovidetheopportunityforindividualInstitutestoexchangeideasandexperiences,andtofurtherstudyissuesconcerningtheconstructionanddevelopmentoftheInstitutes.
Chapter7:RightsandObligations
34.AllConfuciusInstitutesshallenjoythefollowingrights:
a.TherightssetforthintheAgreementandthisConstitutionandBy-LawsoftheConfuciusInstitutes;
b.TherighttousetheNameandLogooftheConfuciusInstitutes;
c.TherightofpriorityforobtainingteachingandculturalmaterialsorresourcesprovidedbytheHeadquarters.
35.AllConfuciusInstitutesshallobservethefollowingobligations:
a.TheobligationtoobservethemeasuresandregulationssetforthintheAgreementandthisConstitutionandBy-LawsoftheConfuciusInstitutes;
b.TheobligationtoupholdanddefendthereputationandimageoftheConfuciusInstitutes;
c.TheobligationtoacceptbothsupervisionfromandassessmentsmadebytheHeadquarters.
36.TheConfuciusInstituteHeadquartersreservestherighttopursuelegalactiontoaffixresponsibilityandinvokepunitiveconsequencesonanyperson/partyforanyofthefollowingconduct:
a.TheestablishmentofaConfuciusInstitutewithoutpermissionorauthorizationfromtheConfuciusInstituteHeadquarters;
b.AnyactivityconductedunderthenameoftheConfuciusInstituteswithoutpermissionorauthorizationfromtheConfuciusInstituteHeadquarters;
c.AnyviolationoftheAgreementorthisConstitutionandBy-LawsoftheConfuciusInstitutesthatcauseslossesofcapitalorassetsordamagesortarnishesthereputationoftheConfuciusInstitutes.
Chapter8:Supplement
37.IndividualConfuciusInstitutesmayconstitutetheirownregulationsandmeasuresinaccordancewiththisConstitutionandBy-LawsandsubmittotheHeadquartersforarchivingpurpose.
38.ThisConstitutionandBy-LawsoftheConfuciusInstitutesshallbefollowedasguideforsettingupandregulatingConfuciusInstituteClassrooms.
39.TheConfuciusInstituteHeadquartersreservestherighttointerpretthisConstitutionandBy-Laws.
40.ThisConstitutionandBy-LawsshallgointoeffectfromthedateofapprovalsetforthbytheCounciloftheConfuciusInstituteHeadquarters.