Statute



STATUTE OF THE WORL
D ASSOCIATION FOR PERFORMING ARTS
 

Chapter 1    General Principles 

Article 1  The name of this association shall be in Chinese and “World Association for Performing Arts” in English 

(abbreviated asWAPA”). 

Article 2  The WAPA is an international, professional and non-profit social organization formed voluntarily by theaters, cultural groups, art colleges, cultural companies, and other institutions of performing arts. 

Article 3  The objective of the WAPA is to promote the international development of outstanding performing arts with national and regional characteristics and the integration of science and technology with performing arts by building an open and multilateral exchange platform so as to facilitate the exchange and mutual learning and common prosperity of world civilizations. 

The WAPA  shall comply with the constitution, laws, regulations, 

and policies in the State of registration, as well as the public morality. 

Article 4  The WAPA shall follow the business guidance and supervision of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Peoples Republic of China (the corresponding regulatory authority), as well as the Ministry of Civil Affairs of the Peoples Republic of China (the registering authority). 

Article 5  The domicile of the WAPA shall be in Beijing, China. 


Chapter 2    Scope of Activities 

Article 6  The scope of activities of the WAPA shall include: 

a). building an international and regular exchange platform, providing professional services and acting as a platform of information communication for all members; 

b). organizing professional forums to discuss development topics in various fields of performing arts; 

c). maintaining international cooperation in the professional field and organizing thematic activities such as opera film screening, online showing of resources and talent training; 

d). proposing industry-wide initiatives to jointly promote the spread and development of performing arts worldwide; and 

e). conducting other cultural cooperation and exchanges in line with 

the objectives of the WAPA. 


Chapter 3    Membership 

Article 7  The WAPA consists of institutional members. 

Article 8  Membership of the WAPA is open to all those who: 

a). have the willingness to join the WAPA; 

b). accept the Statute of the WAPA; 

c). are well recognized in the professional field; and 

d). have the willingness and ability to fulfill the obligations of 

members. 

Article 9  Admission to the WAPA shall be subject to the following 

procedures: 

a). submission by an applicant for admission to the WAPA; 

b). deliberation and approval by the Council; and 

c). issue of membership certificate by the Council or by an agency 

delegated by the Council. 

Article 10  Members of the WAPA shall have the right to: 

a). elect, be elected and vote within the WAPA; 

b). attend the activities held by the WAPA; 

c). be prioritized in receiving the services of the WAPA; 

d). advise and supervise the work of the WAPA; 

e). voluntarily join and quit the WAPA; and 

f). be entitled with other relevant rights conferred by the WAPA. 

Article 11  Members of the WAPA undertake to: 

a). comply with the Statute, and resolutions adopted by the WAPA; 

b). safeguard the lawful rights and interests of the WAPA; 

c). complete the work assigned by the WAPA; 

d). pay the membership fee as required; 

e).  report  and  provide  relevant  information  and  materials  to  the 

WAPA; and 

f). other relevant duties as prescribed by the WAPA. 

Article 12  Should a member wish to withdraw from the WAPA, it shall notify the WAPA in written form and return the membership certificate.Where a member has failed to pay the membership fee for over two years or attend the activities of the WAPA, the member shall be deemed as having withdrawn from the WAPA on its own. 

Article 13  Where a member of the WAPA has seriously violated the Statute, it may be  expelled  from the WAPA after the Council has  so 

decided by vote. 


Chapter 4    Organizational Structure, Election and Removal of 

Persons in Charge 

Article 14  The General Meeting of Members is the supreme authority of 

the WAPA. The General Meeting shall have the powers to: 

a). formulate and amend the Statute; 

b). elect and remove members of the Council; 

c). review the work report and financial report of the Council; 

d). formulate and amend the standards of membership fee; 

e). decide on the issues of termination; and 

f). decide on other important issues. 

Article 15  The quorum of the General Meeting is two thirds of its members, and its resolution may only be adopted by a simple majority vote of members present at the meeting. 

Article 16  The WAPA shall hold a General Meeting every two years. 

Article 17  The Council is the executive organ of the General Meeting, with a term of office of four years, and shall lead the WAPA’s daily work when the General Meeting is not in session. The Council shall be responsible to the General Meeting. 

Article 18  The Council shall have the powers to: 

a). implement the resolutions adopted by the General Meeting; 

b). elect and dismiss the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and the Secretary-General; 

c). prepare for the convention of the General Meeting; 

d). report the work and financial information to the General Meeting; 

e). decide on the admission or expulsion of the members; 

f). decide on the establishment, change and deregistration of the agencies, branch offices, representative offices and entities; 

g). decide on the appointment of the Deputy Secretary-General and the directors of all agencies; 

h). lead the work of the WAPA; 

i). enact internal management rules; and 

j). decide on other important issues. 

Article 19  The quorum of a Council meeting is two thirds of the Council members, and the resolutions of the Council may only be adopted by a majority vote of two thirds of the Council members present at the meeting. 

Article 20  The Council shall hold meetings at least once a year. In exceptional circumstances, the meeting may be held through communication. 

Article 21  The Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson and the Secretary-General of the WAPA shall meet the following qualifications: 

a). having a recognized influence in the professional field of the WAPA; 

b). not exceeding the age of 70 years old upon appointment (with the 

Secretary-General working in full-time); 

c). in good health conditions and capable of working; 

d). having no record of criminal penalty; 

e). with full civil capacity; and 

f). willing to contribute actively to the development of the WAPA. 

Article 22  In case the candidates for the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson or the Secretary-General of the WAPA have exceeded the age requirement, the appointment by the Council may only come into effect after the review of the corresponding regulatory authority and approval of the registering authority. 

Article 23  The term of office of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson or the Secretary-General of the WAPA shall be four years and they shall serve no more than two consecutive terms. In case the term of office of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson or the Secretary-General has to be extended due to exceptional  circumstances, the appointment could be only adopted by a majority vote of two thirds of the members present at the General Meeting, the coming into effect of which is subject to the review  of the  corresponding regulatory authority and approval of the registering authority. 

Article 24  The Chairperson shall be the legal representative of the WAPA. 

In special circumstances, the Chairperson may delegate the Vice Chairperson or the Secretary-General as the legal representative of the WAPA upon the review of the corresponding regulatory authority and approval of the registering authority. 

The legal representative may sign important documents on behalf of 

the WAPA. 

The legal representative of the WAPA shall not concurrently serve 

as the legal representative of any other organization. 

Article 25  The Chairperson of the WAPA shall exercise the following 

functions: 

a). to convene and preside over the meetings of the Council; and 

b).  to  oversee  the  implementation  of  resolutions  of  the  General 

Meeting and the Council. 

Article 26  The Secretary-General of the WAPA shall exercise the powers 

to: 

a). preside over the daily work of the agencies, and organize the 

implementation of annual work plans; 

b). coordinate the work of all branch offices, representative offices and entities; 

c). nominate the Deputy Secretary-General as well as the directors of all agencies to the Council for decision; 

d). suggest the appointment of full-time employees in the agencies, 

representative offices and entities to the Council for decision; 

e). propose initiatives to the Council; 

f). take charge of the implementation of other issues delegated or 

authorized by the General Meeting or the Council; and 

g). deal with other daily business. 


Chapter 5    Principles on Management and Use of Asset 

Article 27  The funds of the WAPA may come from: 

a). membership fees; 

b). donations; 

c). governmental financial support; 

d). income from activities or services conducted within the approved scope of activities; 

e). deposit interests; and 

f). other lawful income. 

Article 28  The membership fee shall be charged under the relevant provisions of the State of registration. 

Article 29  The funds of the WAPA must be used for the development of the cause and within the scope of activities as provided in this Statute, and shall not be distributed to its members. 

Article 30  The WAPA shall establish a strict financial management system to guarantee that the accounting materials are lawful, true, accurate and complete. 

Article 31  The WAPA shall employ accountants with professional qualifications. The accountant may not concurrently serve as a cashier. The accountant must conduct financial accounting, and implement accounting supervision. When an accountant resigns or is to be transferred to another post, the accountant must conduct the handing over procedures in a competent manner with his or her successor. 

Article 32  The financial management system of  the WAPA shall implement the financial management system of the State of registration and shall be supervised  by the General Meeting and the financial department of the WAPA. Where the sources of the assets come from 

social donations or government  financial  support, such assets must be 

subject to the supervision of the auditing agencies. Relevant information 

shall be disclosed to the public by appropriate means. 

Article 33  The WAPA shall accept the financial auditing before the re-election of  the  leadership  or the change of the legal representative. 

Article 34  The assets of the WAPA shall not be misappropriated, illicitly 

distributed or embezzled by any individual or organization. 

Article 35  Wages, insurance and benefits of full-time employees of the WAPA shall apply the relevant rules of the State of registration by taking 

into account the relevant internationally accepted practice. 


Chapter 6 Procedures for the Amendment of the Statute 

Article 36  The amendments to the Statute of the WAPA shall be submitted to the Council for a vote and, upon an affirmative decision of 

the Council, further reviewed and approved by the General Meeting. 

Article 37  The amended Statute shall be sent to the corresponding 

regulatory authority and registering authority within 15 days after the 

amendment has been adopted by the General Meeting. The amended Statute shall not come into effect until it has been reviewed and approved 

by the corresponding regulatory authority and the registering authority. 


Chapter 7    Procedure for Termination and Disposal of Properties 

Article 38  Where the WAPA needs to be deregistered as a result of self-dissolution, division or merger, the Council shall propose the termination. 

Article 39  The proposal of termination of the WAPA shall be voted and adopted by the General Meeting. The decision of the WAPA shall be reported to the corresponding regulatory authority for review and approval. 

Article 40  Prior to its termination, the WAPA shall, under the supervision  of the corresponding regulatory authority and other authorities, constitute a liquidation organ to settle the credits and debts and deal with follow-up matters. No activities other than liquidation shall be carried out during the liquidation period. 

Article 41  The WAPA terminates upon completing the deregistration 

procedures with registering authority. 

Article 42  The remaining properties of the WAPA after its termination may not be misappropriated or illicitly distributed by any members, and shall, under the joint supervision of the corresponding regulatory authority and the registering authority, be used in accordance with the relevant provisions of the State of registration for the development of the cause related to the objectives of the WAPA. 


  

Chapter 8    Miscellaneous Provisions 

Article 43  This Statute is adopted by the General Meeting by vote on 

November 12, 2023.  

Article 44  The Council of the WAPA shall have the right to interpret this 

Statute. 

Article 45  This Statute shall come into force as of the date of its approval 

by the registering authority. 


 
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