March ahead with rule of law

Specific mechanisms needed to reach goal

The communiqué issued by the Fourth Plenum has outlined the reforms of many existing mechanisms, but the most important of them all is the overall target of the CPC's current drive, which is "to advance the rule of law" to build a system to serve "the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics" and establish "the socialist rule of law" in the country.

This is a huge qualitative progress from "rule by law". The CPC's new target makes it clear that the government too comes under the rule of the law.

To achieve the goal, the communiqué says, theories of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, systems of laws and regulations, efficient law enforcement, strict supervision and effective guarantee systems, and an all-encompassing intra-Party law mechanism are essential.

These are detailed mechanisms to support the system of "socialist rule of law". Only by establishing these mechanisms can the overall goal be achieved.

Zhang Hengshan, a professor of law at the Party School of the Central Committee of the CPC.

A stern warning to Hong Kong protestors

By reiterating its faith in the "One Country, Two Systems" policy - as mentioned in the communiqué issued by the Fourth Plenum - the communique has indicated a stern warning to the "Occupy Central" protestors in Hong Kong. The protestors should remove all barricades and barriers from the streets of the international financial and logistics hub.

By continuing to defy a court order and refusing to clear key roads in Hong Kong, the protestors have shown their disregard for the rule of law.

Although the central authorities will continue to deal rationally with the "Occupy Central" movement, the protestors should know that there will not be any compromise on Hong Kong's political reform. The candidates for the post of Hong Kong's chief executive will have to get the approval of the Nominating Committee because it is a procedural requirement that is clearly stipulated in the Basic Law.

Some people in Hong Kong have cast doubts on the central authorities' governance because there is room for improvement in the rule of law. Yet the communiqué should be seen as a big step by the central authorities, led by the Party, to carry out those improvements. Also, the central authorities have reiterated that they will promote the practice of "One Country, Two Systems" strictly in accordance with the law.

Residents and officials in Hong Kong across the social and economic divide have accused the "Occupy Central" protestors of violating the law. Therefore, to safeguard the rule of law, the students should call off their protest and the ill-intentioned instigators should be penalized for their actions according to law. After all, the Party's consistent efforts to promote the rule of law will not only end the misunderstandings over political reform, but also boost the stability and prosperity of the city.

Zhang Dinghuai, a professor at Shenzhen University and member of Chinese Association of Hong Kong and Macao Studies.