People both participants and driving force in journey toward the rule of law

It is crucial for China to unwaveringly uphold the principles of "for the people" and "by the people" in its legislative, judicial and law enforcement practices. This is the commitment with which Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law was introduced in November 2020. This philosophy emphasizes that people are both participants in and the driving force behind the nation's journey toward the rule of law.

Over the past five years, China has demonstrated its dedication to this principle through various initiatives — from drafting legislation that echoes the voices of ordinary people to reforming litigation services to make them more accessible, and from cracking down on telecom fraud to designing legal systems that incorporate public participation. These efforts underscore the notion that people are the foundation of the rule of law.

Those approaching the Haidian District People's Court in Beijing are provided with a standardized form on which they are required to list details of their grievance, their specific requests and key evidence; it collectively constitutes their official statement of claim. Historically, many litigants, because they lack knowledge of the law, omit vital information, necessitating revisions that waste time and effort.

The standardized form not only helps litigants effectively present their case but also allows judges to review documents more efficiently, significantly reducing the time needed to resolve disputes.

The court is also equipped with a large electronic screen that continuously displays instructions on filling out the forms. Additionally, judicial staff members are available to assist litigants with their doubts.

Hu Chunlian, a national lawmaker from Hunan province, advocated for broader application of technology to make courts "smarter".

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, has repeatedly said that court members should approach cases from the perspective of the people involved.

Thanks to the establishment of legislative outreach offices nationwide, the Legislative Affairs Commission of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislative body, has gathered over 66,000 suggestions on more than 200 legislative items, many of which have been incorporated into law.

For instance, Wang Yongcheng, a visually impaired NPC deputy from Fujian province, once suggested that educational authorities in regular schools provide textbooks with larger font size to students with poor vision. This advice was incorporated into the law in September 2023.

All these measures collectively portray a legal system that is more accessible, responsive and accountable.

In recent years, China has revised numerous legislative items, such as the Civil Code, the Food Safety Law and the Law on the Protection of Minors, to meet the growing legal demands of the people. For example, the country has always adhered to the principle of "education first, punishment second" when dealing with child-related cases. To effectively curb juvenile crime, the age of criminal liability was lowered to 12 for certain grave offenses in 2021 when the amended Criminal Law came into effect.

After receiving complaints from residents about rampant telecom fraud, Chinese police intensified domestic operations and bolstered law enforcement cooperation with other countries. Data released by the Ministry of Public Security in July show Chinese police cracked nearly 1.74 million telecom fraud cases during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) period, dismantling more than 2,000 overseas fraud centers and apprehending over 80,000 suspects.

It is not merely about laws written on paper; it is about laws that protect lives, resolve issues and earn public trust. Reflecting on the past five years of justice, legislation and law enforcement, the most resonant lesson is that the rule of law flourishes when it is constructed with and for the people.

Despite the challenges posed by rapidly advancing internet technologies, China remains steadfast in one core belief: placing people at the center ensures that the rule of law becomes not just a theoretical principle, but a lived reality.