Telling China's rule-of-law story to the world

Entrusting the law to the people — and nurturing their faith in it — has long been the tradition of the Communist Party of China and a distinctive feature of the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. Over the past four decades, this commitment has evolved from a policy aspiration to an institutional reality.

Since 1985, China has implemented eight five-year legal education plans, each backed by a resolution of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. Together, these have shaped a uniquely Chinese model of legal education, which is a remarkable achievement in the history of the legal world and demonstrates the strengths of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

This long journey reached a milestone in this year when the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress adopted the law on publicity and education on the rule of law. The law, which came into effect on Nov 1, distills more than 40 years of accumulated experiences — especially the innovative achievements since the 18th National Congress of the CPC — into a stable and authoritative legal framework.

Guided by Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, the law transforms proven practice into binding norms. It not only provides solid institutional support for promoting this theoretical innovation, but also strengthens national confidence in the rule of law and opens a new window for the global understanding of Chinese legal civilization.

At its core, the law is a powerful guarantee for the thorough study of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law. The Thought summarizes the practice of the rule of law in socialism with Chinese characteristics, inherits the rich traditions of Chinese legal culture, and absorbs beneficial elements from global legal civilizations. By explicitly incorporating it into the legal framework, the law establishes the Thought as the guiding principle and primary task for legal education in China.

The law makes it clear that leadership cadres are a key group for rule-of-law education, while encouraging international exchanges and cooperation in this field. Effective implementation will deepen the understanding of the Thought and solidify the ideological foundation of a socialist legal system.

More broadly, the law serves as a cornerstone for taking the rule of law to a higher level. As President Xi Jinping has emphasized, progress in the rule of law requires the participation of whole society.

In this context, the law aims to foster a legal consciousness in Chinese society and make it a way of life. While outlining the guiding principles, main content, management systems and responsibilities in legal education, it establishes a collaborative mechanism involving Party leadership, legislative oversight, government initiatives and societal participation.

The report of the 20th National Congress of the CPC stressed the need to enhance China's capacity for international communication and strengthen the country's voice to match its national strength and international status. This is crucial for projecting China as a civilization grounded in the rule of law.

The fundamental principles enshrined in the law have universal relevance. There are provisions for international legal education, with Article 10 specifying that China shall enhance foreign-related legal education, improve international communication of legal culture and actively articulate China's foreign-related legal concepts, propositions and successful practices.

By legally mandating objectives, tasks, and support mechanisms for international legal education, the law helps amplify China's voice in the global discourse on rule-of-law matters. It showcases the significant achievements of the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics in the new era, provides legal support for safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, and contributes Chinese legal wisdom to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Xi emphasized that the advancement of the rule of law should go hand in hand with the expansion of openness. As China continues to open up, the country's legal framework for foreign-related matters needs to evolve accordingly. China remains committed to high-standard openness. It plays a significant role in guiding Chinese citizens and enterprises to adhere to local laws, regulations and customs during their endeavors to globalize.

Through these provisions, the law signals China's firm commitment to the rule of law, ethical conduct and maintaining the international economic and trade order. It also offers the global community a deeper and more tangible understanding of China's achievements in building a legal system that reaches all citizens.

As the law comes into force, respecting, studying, observing and applying it will become a conscious choice of the people rather than an imposed obligation. It will also convey China's rule-of-law story to the world, adding a distinctive and constructive chapter to the global civilization of law.

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