Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council, recently signed a State Council order promulgating the Regulations of the China on Consular Protection and Assistance (hereinafter referred to as the Regulations), which will come into force on September 1, 2023. The Party Central Committee and the State Council attach great importance to safeguarding China's overseas interests and safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations abroad. Consular protection and assistance refer to the act of Chinese diplomatic agencies stationed abroad representing the country to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese citizens, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations abroad when their legitimate rights and interests are infringed upon or in need of assistance. It is an important public service provided by the government and an important measure to implement the overall national security concept and maintain people's security. It has played an important role in building China's overseas security protection system. Currently, China's foreign exchanges are expanding day by day, and the demand for high-quality overseas public services provided by the government is rapidly growing among the people. At the same time, the international security environment has undergone complex and profound changes, with various traditional and non-traditional security issues overlapping. Strengthening consular protection and assistance work is becoming more important and urgent. Developing regulations on consular protection and assistance can further improve the level of legalization, institutionalization, and standardization of consular protection and assistance work. The Regulations have a total of 27 articles, mainly including: firstly, clarifying the responsibilities and obligations of various parties in consular protection and assistance. It is stipulated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, diplomatic agencies stationed abroad, relevant departments of the State Council, local people's governments, and domestic units with dispatched personnel shall respectively assume responsibilities such as overall coordination, protection assistance, security publicity, response and disposal, communication and cooperation; Clarify the self-protection obligations of Chinese citizens, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations abroad. The second is to clarify the methods of accepting consular protection and assistance, as well as the areas of responsibility. It is stipulated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall establish a hotline and online platform, and diplomatic agencies stationed abroad shall disclose their office addresses and contact information to facilitate Chinese citizens, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations to consult, apply for consular protection and assistance; Clarify the areas in which diplomatic agencies stationed abroad perform consular protection and assistance responsibilities. The third is to standardize the situation and content of fulfilling consular protection and assistance responsibilities. It is stipulated that Chinese citizens, legal persons, and unincorporated organizations stationed abroad shall provide consular protection and assistance in situations where their legitimate rights and interests are violated, suspected of illegal activities, difficulties in basic living security, and threats to personal and property safety due to major emergencies. The fourth is to strengthen risk prevention and safety reminders. It is stipulated that diplomatic agencies stationed abroad, relevant departments of the State Council, and local people's governments shall respectively bear the responsibilities of security warning, security publicity, education and training. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and diplomatic agencies stationed abroad shall issue foreign security reminders as appropriate. The competent cultural and tourism department of the State Council, in conjunction with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shall establish a security risk warning mechanism for foreign tourism destinations, which involves Chinese citizens, legal persons Non legal entities should take security precautions based on the security situation and avoid visiting or staying in high-risk countries or regions. The fifth is to improve various support guarantees. Stipulate that the state provides personnel, funds, and other guarantees for consular protection and assistance work, encourage social forces to participate in relevant work, and commend and reward organizations and individuals who have made outstanding contributions. (New News Agency)