Charter of the Alliance Phage of China

Chapter I. General provisions

Article 1. Name. The organization is named the Alliance Phage of China, abbreviated APC, and is referred to below as the Alliance.

Article 2. Nature. The Alliance is an open, public-interest, nonprofit and nongovernmental social organization voluntarily formed by Chinese medical institutions, universities, research institutes, associations, enterprises and other organizations involved in phage research and applications, on the basis of voluntariness, equality, mutual benefit and cooperation.

Article 3. Purpose. The Alliance promotes exchange and close cooperation among members, knowledge and information sharing, complementary strengths, and an integrated platform connecting industry, education and research. It aims to advance clinical phage applications and industrial development, support national initiatives to restrict and reduce antibiotic use, and curb the prevalence and spread of resistant bacteria.

Article 4. Statement. The Alliance observes the Constitution, laws, regulations and relevant policies of the People’s Republic of China, and implements relevant national and local industrial-development policies.

Chapter II. Tasks and activities

Article 5. Tasks. The Alliance brings together Chinese organizations working on phages to undertake joint research into theory, technical standards, industry policy, clinical applications and industrial development. It explores theoretical, technological and application systems; promotes research and translation involving policy, regulation, technology and industry; supports multicentre clinical trials; and establishes a demonstration network for clinical phage applications.

Article 6. Principal activities.

Build a platform for basic research, clinical applications and industrial development, and support domestic and international exchange and cooperation.
Organize collaborative multicentre clinical phage trials, enabling complementary strengths and shared resources.
Support joint applications for national, provincial, ministerial and other research projects.
Organize experts to provide theoretical guidance, technical support, staff training, talent recruitment and external cooperation.
Support industry standards, professional and academic exchange, dissemination of research outcomes, public science education, conferences and exhibitions.
Coordinate members’ efforts to address gaps in relevant policy implementation and seek policy support and related interests for members.

Chapter III. Membership

Article 7. Membership is institutional.

Article 8. Eligibility. Applicants must:

Be lawfully registered institutions, including universities or research institutes, associations, enterprises or comparable organizations.
Accept this Charter and join voluntarily.
Have relevant standing in the Alliance’s professional field. Their designated representative must hold a principal management role within the institution or department, or a senior professional title.
Fulfil membership obligations, participate actively and be willing to contribute to the Alliance’s work and development.

Article 9. Admission procedure. An applicant submits an application to the Secretariat. Following an initial review, the Secretariat presents it to the Council. Membership takes effect after Council approval and completion of the applicable procedures.

Article 10. Rights. Members may receive information distributed to all members without charge; attend meetings organized for all members without charge; exercise oversight of major Alliance matters under its rules; and enjoy other rights provided by applicable laws, regulations and this Charter.

Article 11. Obligations. Members must:

Observe this Charter and implement Alliance resolutions.
Protect the Alliance’s interests and reputation and refrain from harming other members’ reputations or interests.
Complete assigned information-reporting and other work, and participate in Alliance activities.
Keep details of cooperation rules and internal discussions confidential until formally released to the public.
Designate a contact person to liaise with the Secretariat.
Fulfil other obligations under applicable laws, regulations and this Charter.

Article 12. Withdrawal. Members may withdraw voluntarily by submitting written notice to the Secretariat and completing the relevant procedures.

Article 13. Removal. A member that seriously violates this Charter or fails to meet its obligations may be removed by a Council vote.

Chapter IV. Organization

Article 14. Council. The Council is the Alliance’s highest decision-making body. The first Council consists of representatives of founding institutions. Its first chair and vice chairs are drawn from the institutions leading the Alliance’s establishment and serve four-year terms. From the second term onward, Council members are elected by the membership.

The Council meets at least annually. The chair may convene extraordinary meetings as needed. At least two-thirds of Council members must attend for a meeting to proceed; resolutions require approval by at least two-thirds of those present.

Written notice of the principal agenda, time and location must be given seven working days in advance. A Council member may appoint a proxy, who must produce written authorization and vote within its scope. Each proxy may represent only one member.

Article 15. Council responsibilities. The Council maintains normal Alliance operations; adopts and amends the Charter and internal management rules; approves work plans; approves or revokes membership; prepares and convenes Council meetings; organizes member activities; and decides other major matters.

Article 16. Secretariat. The Council establishes a Secretariat led by one Secretary-General. The first Secretary-General is appointed by the lead institution for a four-year term. Each member institution designates a liaison. From the second term onward, Council member institutions nominate candidates, and the Council elects and appoints the Secretary-General.

The Secretary-General reports to the Council and leads day-to-day work. Under Council leadership, the Secretariat manages, coordinates and serves members and organizes major activities. The archived Charter places the Secretariat temporarily at CreatiPhage (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Building 14, Lane 3333, Huaning Road, Minhang District, Shanghai.

Article 17. Specialist committees. The Alliance may establish specialist committees as needed with Council approval.

Chapter V. Expenses

Article 18. Membership fees are not charged at the stage described in this Charter.

Article 19. The Secretariat is temporarily hosted within CreatiPhage (Shanghai) Biotechnology Co., Ltd. rather than established independently. CreatiPhage temporarily bears its operating expenses.

Article 20. General assembly and Council activity costs are intended to be covered by sponsorship and registration fees, with any shortfall temporarily borne by CreatiPhage. Representatives of member institutions do not pay registration fees but cover their own travel expenses.

Article 21. The initiating institution bears the cost of thematic activities proposed by a member institution.

Chapter VI. Supplementary provisions

Article 22. This Charter requires Council approval and publication to all members. It takes effect on the publication date.

Article 23. The Council of the Alliance Phage of China has final authority to interpret this Charter.

Article 24. Amendments require a Council vote followed by approval of the general assembly of members.

Article 25. Where this Charter conflicts with national laws, regulations, rules or policies, those national provisions prevail.