China to put "Three Represents" into constitution
( 2003-12-22 22:05) (Xinhua)
The thought of "Three Represents" is to be written into China's constitution,
along with the provision to safeguard the ownership of private property. The
proposal on amending the country's 1982 Constitution made by the Central
Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) was tabled with the Standing
Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature,
Monday in Beijing.
The "Three Represents" thought, as well as Marxism, Leninism, Mao Zedong
Thought and Deng Xiaoping Theory, shall be one of the guiding principles of the
nation's political and social life, according to the proposed amendments. The
important thought of "Three Represents", put forward by Jiang Zemin, former
general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, in February 2000, states that
the CPC must always represent "the development trend of China's advanced
productive forces, the orientation of China's advanced culture and the
fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people".
The proposed revision on private property protection puts private assets of
Chinese citizens on an equal footing with public property, which are "not to be
violated". Wang Zhaoguo, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, explained
the CPC proposal to lawmakers Monday in his capacity as a member of the
Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
"Respect for and protection of human rights" and "establishing and perfecting
the social security system adapted to economic development" are also proposed
amendments. The proposal also adds items about harmonious development among
material, political and cultural civilizations, perfecting the land requisition
system, confirming the guideline in promoting the non-public economy.
The proposal suggests changing the terms of local deputies, currently from
three to five years, to five years as standard. It also adds the provisions on
the state of emergency, and extensions of the president's authority in foreign
affairs and the national anthem.
China promulgated its first constitution in 1954. The existing constitution
was formulated in 1982 and amended in 1988, 1993 and 1999. The proposed
revisions were made after extensive discussions, Wang said. According to agenda,
the Standing Committee will formulate amendments to the constitution after
reviewing the proposals, which will be submitted for approval at the second
plenum of the 10th National People's Congress next March.
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