• Central Executive Committee of the Chinese Soviet Republic Order No. 7: The Marriage Law is hereby enacted and promulgated. The Regulations on Marriage of the Chinese Soviet Republic, issued on November 1, 1931, shall be null and void from the date of promulgation of this Law. April 8, 1934, Chairman Mao Zedong

Chapter I General Provisions Article 1 Marriage between men and women shall be based on the principle of freedom; all systems of arranged, coerced, and commercial marriages are abolished. The practice of “child brides” is prohibited. Article 2 One husband and one wife shall be practiced; polygamy and polyandry are forbidden.

Chapter II Marriage Article 3 The marriage age shall be not less than twenty-one years for men and eighteen years for women. Article 4 Marriage requires the mutual consent of both parties; no coercion by either party or any third person shall be permitted. Article 5 Marriage between relatives within three degrees of kinship is prohibited. Article 6 Persons suffering from venereal diseases, leprosy, tuberculosis, or other dangerous infectious diseases shall be prohibited from marrying. However, those who have been medically certified as fit to marry shall be excepted. Article 7 Persons afflicted with mental illness or paralysis shall be prohibited from marrying. Article 8 Both parties must jointly register their marriage at the village soviet or “urban district” soviet and obtain a marriage certificate. Dowry, betrothal gifts, and bridal trousseaus are abolished. Article 9 Any cohabitation between a man and a woman, whether registered or not, shall be deemed a marriage.

Chapter III Divorce Article 10 Freedom of divorce is established. If either party firmly requests divorce, it shall be granted. Article 11 A soldier’s wife in the Red Army who seeks divorce must obtain her husband’s consent. However, in areas where communication is convenient, if two years have passed since her husband last sent word home, she may apply to the local government for registration of divorce. In areas where communication is difficult, if four years have passed without any news from her husband, she may likewise apply to the local government for registration of divorce. Article 12 Men and women seeking divorce must register with the village soviet or “urban district” soviet.

Chapter IV Division of Property After Divorce Article 13 After divorce, each party shall independently manage their respective land, property, and debts. Property acquired jointly during the first year of marriage shall be equally divided between the two parties. If there are children, such property shall be divided per capita. Common debts incurred during cohabitation shall be borne solely by the man for repayment. Article 14 If a woman moves to another village after divorce, she shall be entitled to land according to the new village’s land allocation policy. Should the new village have no land available for distribution, she shall retain her original land and may decide for herself whether to lease it, sell it, or exchange it with others. The same provisions regarding land allocation and management shall apply to any children left in the woman’s custody upon relocation. Article 15 If a woman remains unmarried after divorce and lacks labor power or a stable occupation, making it impossible for her to support herself, the man shall assist her in cultivating her land or otherwise provide for her livelihood. This obligation does not apply, however, if the man himself lacks labor power or a stable source of income.

Chapter V Custody of Children After Divorce Article 16 All children born before or during the marriage shall be placed in the care of the mother. Should the mother decline custody, custody shall devolve upon the father. In cases involving older children, their own wishes must also be respected. Article 17 The biological father shall bear one-third of the necessary living expenses for all children placed in the mother’s custody until they reach the age of sixteen. Payment may be made in cash or through cultivation of land allocated to the child. Article 18 If the woman remarries and her new husband agrees to assume responsibility for the children, the biological father shall be relieved of the obligation set forth in the preceding article. A stepfather adopting the children must register with the village soviet or urban soviet and, once registered, shall be responsible for raising them to adulthood, refraining from any interruption or abuse of that duty.

Chapter VI Handling Illegitimate Children Article 19 All illegitimate children shall enjoy all rights accorded to legitimate children under this Marriage Law. Abuse or abandonment of illegitimate children is strictly prohibited.

Chapter VII Supplementary Provisions Article 20 Anyone violating this Law shall be punished according to the Criminal Code commensurate with their offense. Article 21 This Law shall come into effect upon its promulgation.