Article 1  

The English name of the Federation shall be the International Health Qigong Federation, abbreviated as IHQF.

Article 2

IHQF is an international non-profit organization formed by national and regional Health Qigong organizations worldwide on a voluntary basis.   

Article 3

IHQF Objectives

1. To pool and leverage the strengths of the Member Organizations;

2. To lead the Member Organizations in enhancing mutual respect and win-win cooperation;

3. To promote and enhance the physical and mental wellbeing of people around the world.

Article 4

IHQF accepts the operational guidance, supervision and administration of the administrative organs with which it is registered, i.e. the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China and the General Administration of Sport of China.

Article 5

IHQF is headquartered in Beijing, China.

Article 6

The working languages of IHQF shall be English and Chinese.

Chapter II: Scope of Business

Article 7

IHQF’s scope of business shall include the following:

1. Formulating standards and plans;

2. Organizing training, events and activities; 

3. Engaging in advocacy and promotion;

4. Conducting scientific research;   

5. Promoting the development of Health Qigong as an industry.

Chapter III: Membership

Article 8

IHQF adopts an organization membership system. Health Qigong organizations of all countries and regions may apply for IHQF membership.

Article 9

Applicants for IHQF membership should meet the following requirements:

1. Supporting the IHQF Statute;

2. Having obtained registration with and approval by the resident government authorities;

3. Commanding significant influence in IHQF’s field of operations;

4. Acknowledgement of IHQF as the sole international Health Qigong organization.

Article 10

Procedures for admission to IHQF membership:

1. Submission of application for membership;

2. Eligibility examination by the Secretariat;

3. Approval through voting by the Executive Board;

4. Conferment of a membership certificate.

Article 11

Members shall be entitled to the following rights:

1. The rights to elect, to be elected and to vote in IHQF;

2. The right to participate in IHQF events and activities;

3. The priority right to benefit from IHQF services;

4. The right to make suggestions and exercise supervision on the work of IHQF;

5. The right to apply for hosting IHQF events;

6. The right to withdraw voluntarily from IHQF.

Article 12

Members shall fulfill the following obligations:

1. Respect for the IHQF Statute;

2. Implementation of IHQF resolutions and safeguard of its legitimate rights and interests;

3. Active participation in IHQF activities and completion of tasks assigned;

4. Payment of membership dues as per the regulations;

5. Report on developments and provision of relevant information.

Article 13

A Member that withdraws from membership shall submit a written application and return the membership certificate to the IHQF Secretariat.

A Member that has failed to pay membership dues or participate in IHQF events and activities for two consecutive years is regarded as having withdrawn automatically fron the Federation.

Article 14

A Member that has committed violation of the IHQF Statute or any other misconduct will, upon agreement by the Executive Board, be served a warning, put on probation or even delisted.

Chapter IV: Organizational Structure and Election/Removal of Leaders

Article 15

The General Assembly shall be the supreme authority of IHQF, with the following principal responsibilities:

1. Formulation of and amendment to the IHQF Statute;

2. Consideration of the work reports and financial reports;  

3. Election and removal of the Chairperson, Executive Vice Chairperson and concurrent Secretary-General, Vice Chairpersons and other Members of the Executive Board;

4. Decisions on major IHQF tournaments and meetings as well as the event venues;

5. Decisions on other major matters.

Article 16

The General Assembly shall be convened only when delegates of over half of the Member Organizations are present; its decisions shall come into force only when adopted by over half of the votes cast by the Member Organizations’ delegates present at the meeting. Each member is limited to one (1) representative, which is recommended by each member unit and submitted to the Secretariat for review.  

Article 17

The term for each session of the General Assembly shall last four (4) years. Should the formation of the next General Assembly be advanced or postponed due to special circumstances, the proposed change shall be subject to approval by vote of the Executive Board before it is filed with the competent authorities for review and approval by the administration with which the organization is registered. Formation of the next General Assembly cannot be postponed by no more than one year.   

Article 18

The IHQF Executive Board is the executing organ of the General Assembly and shall be accountable to the General Assembly. It shall lead IHQF in performing its day-to-day tasks when the General Assembly is not in session.

Article 19

The Executive Board shall consist of seventeen (17) members, including one (1) Chairperson, one (1) Executive Vice Chairperson with the concurrent position of Secretary-General, four (4) Vice Chairpersons and eleven (11) Executive Members.

Article 20 

The responsibilities of the Executive Board shall be as follows:

1. Implementation of General Assembly resolutions;

2. Preparation for General Assembly meetings and the ability to decide on convening special sessions of the General Assembly in case of special circumstances; 

3. Report to the General Assembly on the work and financial status of the Federation;

4. Decisions on the admission or expulsion of members;

5. Decisions on the establishment of operational bodies and specialized committees;

6. Decisions on the appointment or removal of principal leaders of operational bodies and

specialized committees;  

7. Exercise of leadership over operational bodies and specialized committees in performing their tasks;

8. Decisions on the venues of major tournaments, meetings and events when the IHQF General Assembly is not in the session;

9. Decisions on other important matters.

Article 21

Meetings of the IHQF Executive Board may be convened only when over half of its members are present. Such meetings shall be presided over by the Chairperson, or the Executive Vice Chairperson and concurrent Secretary-General. Its decisions may come into effect only by the affirmative positive vote of over half of the Executive Committee Board members present at the meeting. The Executive Board meeting shall be held once a year and may also be convened in special circumstances on an ad hoc basis or by means of correspondence.

Article 22

The Executive Bureau is established by the IHQF Executive Board and shall consist of the Chairperson, the Executive Vice Chairperson and concurrent Secretary-General, two (2) Vice Chairpersons and one (1) Executive Member who shall be nominated by the Chairperson, or the Executive Vice Chairperson and concurrent Secretary-General. The term of office of the Executive Bureau shall overlap with that of the Executive Board.

Article 23

   Meetings of the Executive Bureau may be held by means of video-teleconference, face-to-face talks or review via correspondence, and shall be presided over by the Chairperson, or the Executive Vice Chairperson and concurrent Secretary-General. The Executive Bureau shall convene at least one meeting a year; its decisions will take effect with adoption by over half of its members.

Article 24

The Executive Bureau shall exercise the functions and powers of the Executive Board as provided for under paragraphs 1, 7 and 8 of Article 20 when the Executive Board is not in session and shall be accountable to the Executive Board. Decisions by the Executive Bureau on matters related to paragraphs 2, 5 and 6 of Article 20 shall be approved by the Executive Board through deliberations before taking effect.

Article 25

IHQF Honorary President, Honorary Vice President, and Honorary Members of the Executive Board 

1.The candidate for the IHQF Honorary President shall be someone who has maintained high international prestige and have made distinguishing contributions to the cause of international promotion of Health Qigong.

2.The candidate for the IHQF Honorary Vice President shall be someone who commands significant international influence, having made outstanding contributions to the cause of international promotion of Health Qigong.

3.The candidate for the Honorary Member of the Executive Board shall be someone with significant influence in his/her professional field or geographical region, having made important contributions to the cause of international promotion of Health Qigong.

4.Candidates who meet the aforementioned requirements may, with the nomination of the Executive Bureau and upon the approval of the Executive Board, assume the title of IHQF Honorary President, Honorary Vice President, or Honorary Member of the Executive Board respectively. The candidates may not hold concurrent position as IHQF Honorary President, Honorary Vice President or Honorary Members of the Executive Board, but may attend meetings of the General Assembly and of the Executive Board without the right to vote. They may have a maximum of two (2) four-year terms, in the same position and, in special circumstances, one additional term.

Article 26

IHQF has created the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Outstanding Contributions Award.  The candidate for the Lifetime Achievement Award is required to have had no fewer than eight years of experience as an IHQF Vice President or above and made outstanding achievements in the field of Health Qigong internationally. The candidate for the Outstanding Contributions Award is required to have had the experience of serving as a member or in a higher position of the IHQF Executive Board, engaged in longstanding international promotion of Health Qigong and have made remarkable achievements or outstanding contributions in the cause of international promotion of Health Qigong. Such a candidate shall also require the recommendation of three (3) members of the Executive Board and/or those in high positions, and shall be conferred the corresponding award following endorsement by vote of the Executive Board.

Article 27

Requirements of the IHQF President, Executive Vice President and concurrent Secretary- General, and other Members of the Executive Board:

1. They shall meet the following requirements:

a) Having considerable influence in the field of IHQF or some other field(s);

b) Having healthy physical conditions and the ability to continue normal work;  

c) Having full civil capacity;

d) Being free of criminal records.

2. The IHQF President shall be able to make significant contributions to the international development of Health Qigong and provide human, material and financial resources and support to IHQF on a long-term basis.

3. The concurrent position of Executive Vice President and Secretary- General shall be undertaken by a person selected and sent by IHQF’s country of registration. Such a person shall act as the designated legal representative and may not serve concurrently as a legal representative of any other organization.

4. The Vice Presidents should have made significant contributions to the promotion and dissemination of Health Qigong internationally.

Article 28

The IHQF President, Executive Vice President and concurrent Secretary-General, and Vice Presidents shall serve four (4) years each term and a maximum of two (2) terms in the same position. The tenure may be extended by one additional term owing to special circumstances, but it shall be subject to the approval by over two thirds of the organization members present and voting at the IHQF General Assembly meeting. (while the taking of office should await report to the relevant authorities for examination, and the approval and agreement by the administration in charge of registration of organizations). Members of the Executive Board are elected for a four-year term and may be re-elected.

Article 29

Responsibilities of the IHQF President:

1. Presiding over the IHQF General Assembly, Executive Board and Executive Bureau;

2. Overseeing and checking the implementation of IHQF resolutions;

3. Signing important IHQF documents.

Article 30

Responsibilities of the IHQF Executive Vice President and Secretary-General:

1. Managing and handling daily business and organizing the implementation of resolutions of the General Assembly, Executive Board and Executive Bureau;

2. Coordinating the Specialized Committees in their work;

3. Nominating to the Executive Board candidates for the director/deputy director of the Secretariat and for the chairpersons and vice chairpersons of the Specialized Committees;

4. Signing relevant IHQF documents on behalf of IHQF as entrusted by the Executive Board and presiding over the General Assembly;

5. Handling other daily matters.

Article 31

Procedures governing the running for the positions of IHQF President, Executive Vice President and concurrent Secretary-General, Vice Presidents and other Members of the Executive Board are as follows: 

1. An applicant shall have the recommendation of at least five (5) IHQF Member Organizations (his/her own included) and submit the election documents to the Secretariat; 

2. The Secretariat shall examine the applicant’s eligibility and election information according to the Statute and submit its review comments to the IHQF Executive Board or Executive Bureau;

3. The Executive Board or Executive Bureau shall study and determine the candidates, and notify them to make election preparations; 

4. Candidates for the IHQF President, Executive Vice President and concurrent Secretary-General, and Vice Presidents are required to make a campaign speech at the General Assembly. Those unable to be present at the General Assembly meeting really due to extraordinary circumstances must ask for a leave of absence in writing. Candidates for other Members of the Executive Board are required to submit a written campaign report.

5. Candidates who failed in the elections for the IHQF President, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General, and/or Vice Presidents may still run for the positions of Members of the Executive Board.

Article 32

IHQF establishes under it the Secretariat, Techniques and Promotion Committee, Science and Health Cultivation Committee, Information and Advocacy Committee, Policy and Advisory Committee, Marketing and Legal Affairs Committee, and Strategy and Development Committee.

1. The Secretariat is a permanent operational body of IHQF with the following principal functions:

a) Preparation of the IHQF development plans and administrative system;

b) Administration of daily business;

c) Organization and coordination of various events and activities;

d) Liaison with and coordination of the Specialized Committees in their work;

e) Submission of work proposals to the Executive Board; 

f) Management of Member Organizations and finance, and collection of membership dues.

2. Principal functions of the Techniques and Promotion Committee:

a) Preparation of technical criteria, administrative methods and promotion plans;

b) Improvement of training systems and organization of various training activities;

c) Organization of major competitions and events; 

d) Handling techniques and promotion-related proposals submitted by Member Organizations;

e) Taking charge of brand development and promotion;

f) Expansion of promotional areas and increase of the practitioner population.

3. Principal functions of the Science and Health Cultivation Committee:

a) Preparation of plans for research on and development of a scientific health Cultivation culture; 

b) Organization of international exchanges and cooperation in scientific health Cultivation as well as of scientific symposia;

c) Handling proposals on scientific health Cultivation submitted by Member Organizations;

d) Compilation of various books and audio-visual materials; 

e) Promotion and dissemination of knowledge about the culture of scientific health Cultivation.

4. Principal functions of the Information and Advocacy Committee:

a) Preparation of plans for public information and advocacy development as well as norms governing the dissemination of information;

b) Maintaining brand images and public relations;

c) Operation and administration of, inter alia, the internet and We Media;

d) Handling advocacy proposals submitted by Member Organizations;

e) Compilation of advocacy materials and periodicals;

f) Organization of publicity, news coverage, information release and handling exigencies that have an impact on public opinions.

5. Principal functions of the Policy and Advisory Committee:

a) Assisting in drawing up various development plans and administrative systems, and offering advice;

b) Providing guidance on areas of work and making recommendations for rationalization;

c) Research on the development direction and trend of Health Qigong;

d) Addressing major theoretical issues and related proposals;

e) Assisting in the establishment and improvement of related theoretical systems.

6. Principal functions of the Marketing and Legal Affairs Committee:

a) Standardization and improvement of major rules and regulations, systems and work guidelines;

b) Being in charge of market development and fundraising for Health Qigong development;

c) Participation in negotiations on major events and offering advice for avoidance of legal risks and hazards;

d) Assistance in the drafting and examination of all kinds of standardized documents to be signed with entities external to IHQF;

e) Assisting in handling the application for, and use and protection of intellectual property rights; 

f) Handling legal matters and assisting in dealing with all kinds of disputes and conflicts.

7. Principal functions of the Strategy and Development Committee:

a) Promoting the strategic development of the cause of Health Qigong;

b) Providing strategic policy, intellectual and resource support;

c) Trying to gain support from governments and authoritative institutions in countries and regions around the world;

d) Ushering Health Qigong onto important international platforms;

e) Engaging in and supporting major projects of IHQF;

f) Raising funds for IHQF.

Chapter V: Principles Governing the Management and Use of Assets

Article 33

   IHQF sources of funding:

1. Membership dues;

2. Donations;

3. Government subsidies;

4. Fees collected from events and activities;

5. Bank interests;

6. Public sponsorship;

7. Other legitimate revenue.

Article 34

IHQF collects membership dues according to relevant regulations. The revenues shall be used for operational activities and Health Qigong development as provided for in this Statute.

Article 35

A strict financial management system shall be established to ensure the legitimacy, authenticity, accuracy and integrity of the sources of funds.

Article 36

The Secretariat shall be staffed with professionally qualified accountant(s) and cashier(s). 

Article 37

The management of IHQF assets shall follow the financial administration rules and regulations of the country where IHQF is headquartered and be subject to the monitoring of the General Assembly and the relevant financial authorities of the country where the IHQF Secretariat are based. Assets that originate from government appropriations, public donations or sponsorship shall be subject to supervision by the auditing authorities concerned, with the relevant information made public to society by appropriate means.

Article 38

IHQF shall accept the financial audit by the organization registration administration and the competent authorities before its General Assembly transits into the next term or changes its legal representative.

Article 39

IHQF assets shall not be seized, embezzled or misappropriated by any organization or individual. IHQF has the exclusive proprietary right to its logo and other intangible assets which no Member Organization or its staff is allowed to use. Every Member Organization has the responsibility and obligation to protect the IHQF logo from illegal use or infringement by adverse factors.

Chapter VI:  Statute Amendment Procedures  

Article 40

All amendments to the IHQF Statute shall be examined by the Executive Board before being sent to the General Assembly for adoption by vote.

Article 41

Within fifteen (15) days of its adoption by the General Assembly by vote, an amendment to the IHQF Statute shall take effect after examination and approval by the competent authorities of the country where IHQF is registered and after filing with the organization registration administration for approval.

Chapter VII:  Termination Procedures and Subsequent Assets Disposal

Article 42

The IHQF Executive Board shall propose a termination motion should IHQF find the need to cancel its registration due to its own dissolution, division or merger.

Article 43

Such an IHQF termination motion shall be subject to adoption by vote of the General Assembly and reported to the competent authorities for examination and approval.

Article 44

Pending its termination, IHQF shall establish, under the guidance of the competent operational authorities and other relevant departments, a liquidation entity to liquidate financial claims and liabilities and handle the aftermath. During the liquidation period, no activity other than liquidation shall be carried out.

Article 45

IHQF is terminated upon completion of the registration cancellation procedure with the organization registration administration of the country where IHQF is registered.

Article 46

All residual assets left after the dissolution of IHQF shall be used, according to relevant regulations and under the monitoring of the competent operational authorities and organization registration administration of the country where IHQF is registered, for the development of undertakings that are related to the IHQF objectives. 

Chapter VIII: Supplementary Provisions

Article 47

This Statute was amended and adopted by vote by the General Assembly at its third session on 14 August 2021. 

Article 48

The right to interpret the Statute shall reside with the IHQF Executive Board.

Article 49

   This Statute shall come into force as of the date of its examination and approval by the organization registration administration.