China's Constitution [Photo/People.cn]

The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee announced its proposals to amend China's Constitution on Feb. 25.

The general requirements for amending the Constitution are as follows: 

The revisions uphold socialism with Chinese characteristics. The revisions implement the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress. The revisions follow the guidance of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Theory of Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The revisions uphold the unity of Party leadership, the people running the country, and law-based governance. The revisions include major theories, views, principles and policies endorsed at the 19th CPC National Congress, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The revisions reflect the new achievements, experiences and requirements in advancing the cause of the Party and the country. The revisions improve and develop the Constitution to keep it in step with the times while maintaining its continuity and stability. The revisions provide constitutional guarantees for upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era, fulfilling the two centenary goals, and realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation. 

Following these general requirements, the CPC Central Committee proposed:

-- On the Scientific Outlook on Development and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the CPC Central Committee proposed enshrining them into the Constitution to underpin their guiding role – together with Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, and the Theory of Three Represents that are already written in the Constitution – in the politics and social life of the country. 

-- Regarding the overall plan for building socialism with Chinese characteristics and the second centenary goal, the CPC Central Committee proposed revisions to make clear that China will promote coordinated material, political, cultural and ethical, social and ecological advancement, build itself into a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious and beautiful, and realize national rejuvenation.

-- On measures concerning law-based governance and the enforcement of the Constitution, the CPC Central Committee proposed revising the phrase "improve the socialist legal system" to "improve the socialist rule of law," including pledging allegiance to the Constitution into fundamental law, and adding content on granting Chinese cities, which have subordinate districts, the power to make local laws and regulations.

-- On China's revolution and construction, the CPC Central Committee proposed a revision that will present a more complete picture of the CPC and the Chinese people working hard together.

-- On the patriotic united front and relations among ethnic groups, the CPC Central Committee proposed revising relevant expressions in order to further unite the Chinese people to realize national rejuvenation. 

-- On the foreign policy of peace, the CPC Central Committee proposed adding content that shows China adheres to a peaceful development path and the mutually beneficial strategy of opening up, and works to build a community with a share future for humanity.

-- On CPC leadership, the CPC Central Committee proposed an inclusion of the expression, "The leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics."

-- On core socialist values, the CPC Central Committee proposed adding the expression, "The State advocates core socialist values," in a bid to consolidate the intellectual and moral foundation for all Party members and the Chinese people of all ethnic groups to work hard together.

-- On the terms of office for the Chinese president, the CPC Central Committee proposed a revision to strengthen and improve the institution of state leadership.

-- On supervisory commissions, the CPC Central Committee proposed adding relevant content to provide constitutional ground for setting up supervisory commissions.

The vitality and authority of the Constitution lies in its enforcement, so the full enforcement of the Constitution is the primary task and fundamental work for making China into a socialist law-based country. The proposed amendments aim to enable the Constitution to better serve its role as the fundamental law of the country. We should prioritize its enforcement in advancing law-based governance in all fields in a new era, strengthen efforts to ensure and oversee its enforcement, provide strong political and institutional guarantees for its enforcement, and elevate its enforcement to a new level. 

This post was translated by Yuan Fang. Its original unabridged version was published in Chinese.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors only, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.