Oath to Constitution should not be merely lip service for officials

Chinese judges from the Yantai Intermediate People's Court swear an oath during a ceremony to mark China's first Constitution Day in Yantai city, east China's Shandong province, 4 December 2014. [Photo/IC]

The National People's Congress Standing Committee reviewed a draft legal document on Wednesday, which plans to make all State staff swear an oath to the Constitution. Comments:

The oath is a move toward constitutional supervision of all officials. For this purpose, the NPC, as the top legislature, needs a clear plan, such as establishing a special committee on the Constitution in the coming years and gradually making it independent after 2020. China has abundant constitution scholars and professionals to support the process, and the leadership should not abandon this precious resource.

Jiao Hongchang, China University of Political Science and Law, June 24

It is more important for employees of the State to respect the Constitution in their hearts, rather than merely take an oath on it. If the officials who swear oaths to abide by the Constitution fail to do so in their jobs yet go unpunished, that will harm the authority of the Constitution. Therefore we need a stricter system to regulate government staff after adopting the Constitutional oath system, so that they truly abide by the Constitution in performing their roles.

Beijing News, June 25

Theoretically, the Constitution is the fundamental ruling document of the country and all government activities should be within its framework. However, in reality many leading local bureaucrats often violate the Constitution, and some provinces or cities have even passed regulations that are contrary to it. The constitutional oath system is more than necessary because it not only confirms the absolute authority of the Constitution, but also shows the whole society the top leadership's determination to adopt the rule of law.

xinhuanet.com, June 25

The draft plan marks an essential step forward because it includes not only the country's leaders, but also government staff members appointed by the legislatures. Both groups execute power in the name of the State and should be put under the regulation of the law. It is important to include all of them in the oath-taking process as this is a prerequisite for rule of law.

Han Dayuan, a professor at and dean of School of Law, Renmin University of China, June 25