Civil Code of the People’s Republic of China

(Adopted at the Third Session of the Thirteenth National People’s Congress on May 28, 2020)

Book Five Marriage and Family

Chapter I General Rules

Article 1040 This Book regulates the civil-law relations arising from marriage or family.

Article 1041 Marriage and family are protected by the State.

A marriage system based on freedom of marriage, monogamy, and equality between men and women is implemented.

The lawful rights and interests of women, minors, the elderly, and persons with disabilities are protected.

Article 1042 Arranged marriages, mercenary marriages, and other acts interfering with the freedom of marriage are prohibited. The exaction of money or other property by way of marriage is prohibited.

Bigamy is prohibited. No one who has a spouse may cohabit with another person.

Domestic violence is prohibited. Maltreatment or desertion of family members is prohibited.

Article 1043 Families shall establish good family values, promote family virtues, and enhance family civility.

Husband and wife shall be loyal to each other, respect each other, and care for each other. Family members shall respect the elderly, take care of the young, help each other, and maintain a marital and familial relationship of equality, harmony, and civility.

Article 1044 Adoption shall be in compliance with the principle of acting in the best interest of the adoptee, and the lawful rights and interests of both the adoptee and the adopter shall be protected.

Trafficking minors in the name of adoption is prohibited.

Article 1045 Relatives include spouses, relatives by blood, and relatives by marriage.

Spouses, parents, children, siblings, paternal and maternal grandparents, and paternal and maternal grandchildren are close relatives.

Spouses, parents, children, and other close relatives living together are family members.