Constitution of China – Preamble

What is the Constitution of China?

The Constitution of China is a rule book with all the rules necessary to run the country. Mr. Carsun Chang and the members of the National Constituent Assembly wrote it. It was adopted on December 4, 1982, by the Fifth National People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China....

The Constitution of China Overview

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Important Amendments in the Constitution of China

Year Amendment Significance 1988 First The changes added a new clause to the Constitution: “The State permits the private sector of the economy to exist and develop within the limits prescribed by law.”  This changed the way for the growth of private businesses, encouraging entrepreneurship and contributing to China’s later economic boom. The Constitution was changed to allow for the transfer of land-use rights according to the law. 1993 Second The fundamental principle outlining the economic system was changed from a “planned economy” to a “socialist market economy.” China acknowledged the importance of market forces like supply and demand, competition, and pricing in guiding its economy. The goal was to combine the strengths of planned economic coordination with the dynamism of a market economy to drive economic development. 1999 Third The phrase “governing the country according to law and building a socialist country ruled by law” was added to the constitution.  The concept of the “Three Represents” was officially added to the Constitution. This political theory by Jiang Zemin stressed that the Communist Party should represent advanced productive forces, advanced culture, and the interests of the majority of Chinese people  The Preamble was updated to reflect the progress made under the theory of “building socialism with Chinese characteristics.” 2004 Fourth  The language of the Constitution was significantly modified. Statements like “Citizens’ lawful private property is inviolable” were added. It explicitly allowed for compensation in cases where the state expropriates private property for public use.  This reflected China’s growing private sector. It aimed to give business owners and investors greater security, encouraging further economic development. The phrase “The State respects and protects human rights” was included. This marked the first explicit mention of human rights in the Constitution.  2018 Fifth The clause limiting presidential terms was removed.”Supervisory commissions” were added to the existing structure of government, courts, and prosecution offices. This Amendment helped Xi Jinping to hold his position as President of China for a longer time....

Constitution of China – Preamble

The preamble is like an intro to the main context of the Constitution. China is a very old country with a long history. In 1949, the People’s Revolution, led by the Communist Party of China and Chairman Mao Zedong, finally succeeded. This created the People’s Republic of China. China is working hard to build a modern socialist country that is wealthy, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful....

Chinese Constitution Framework

The Chinese Constitution has a unique framework that reflects China’s political ideology and historical context. Here’s a breakdown of its key elements:...

How Many Articles in China Constitution?

The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, as of its latest major revision in 1982 (with subsequent amendments), consists of a preamble and 138 articles divided into four chapters:...

Chinese Constitution 1982

The Constitution of the People’s Republic of China, adopted on December 4, 1982, is a fundamental legal document that outlines the country’s political and social framework. It established the structure of the state, the duties and rights of citizens, and the country’s fundamental principles. This 1982 Constitution replaced the 1978 version, marking a significant shift towards reform and opening-up policies. Here are key highlights of the 1982 Constitution:...

Chinese Political Process

One-Party State Dominated by the CCP...

Features of the Constitutions

Socialist Character: The Constitution shows that China is a socialist state. This guides the country’s economic, political, and social structure as a socialist. Leadership of the Communist Party: The uncontested leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) is enshrined in the Constitution. The CPC plays a central role in guiding the direction of the country and policy making. Unitary System: China has a unitary system of government, meaning the central government holds ultimate authority, though administrative powers are delegated to provinces and local levels. This helps in quick and faster decision-making and Implementation. Mixed Economy: The Constitution shows a significant role for both state-owned and non-state sectors of the economy, reflecting China’s “socialist market economy” model that eventually helps them to grow faster. Fundamental Rights and Duties: The Constitution includes a chapter outlining the fundamental rights of citizens such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, as well as their duties like paying taxes, defending the country, and upholding the law these are the fundamental rights and duties that a good citizen must follow. Supremacy of the Constitution: It’s declared as the supreme law of the country. All other laws and regulations are under their decisions and judgements. It is important to have because it limits any government and private company power misuse....

Importance of Constitution

1. Foundation for the Legal System: The Constitution acts as the supreme law of the country, setting the framework for all other laws and regulations. It establishes the rules of the game for everyone – individuals, institutions, and the government itself....

Conclusion

China’s Constitution is very different from many countries. China is a Socialist country with a one-party system which is led by the Communist Party of China. Constitution is a very important document that contains the fundamental principles of the Chinese government laws and fundamental rights and duties of the citizens of their country. It was first written in 1954 and has been changed several times until the final output or version came out in 1982....

Constitution of China – FAQs

Who wrote China’s Constitution?...