Malcolm Rivera
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China was first declared in 1954 and the current version was adopted in 1982, with five subsequent revisions. The constitution establishes China as a socialist state under the rule of law, led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and based on an alliance of workers and peasants. It outlines the country's commitment to an independent foreign policy, opposition to imperialism and colonialism, and support for developing countries in their struggles for independence and economic development. The constitution also defines the relationship between the central government and local governments, with power vested in the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee. While the document provides for direct suffrage in electing People's Congress members, actual decision-making authority resides in the state's executive organs and the CCP. The constitution has undergone several amendments, including the removal of term limits for the President and Vice President, and the addition of references to the Communist Party's leadership.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of government | Socialist state under the people's democratic dictatorship led by the working class |
| Power | Belongs to the people |
| Leadership | Communist Party of China |
| Legal basis | Broad changes in China's social and economic institutions |
| Government structure | National People's Congress and its Standing Committee |
| Legislative power | National People's Congress |
| Executive power | State Council and its Standing Committee |
| Division of power | Division of responsibility and power between the central and local governments |
| Rights | Freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly, of association, of procession, and of demonstration |
| Foreign policy | Independent and adheres to the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence |
| Opposition | Imperialism, hegemonism and colonialism |
| Support | Oppressed nations and developing countries |
| Aim | To safeguard world peace and promote the cause of human progress |
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What You'll Learn
- China's constitution is intended to establish a socialist state
- It is led by the working class and based on an alliance of workers and peasants
- The constitution is the fundamental standard of conduct for all
- It establishes China's independent foreign policy
- The constitution cements the CCP's control and supremacy
China's constitution is intended to establish a socialist state
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China was first declared in 1954, with the current version being enacted in 1982. The 1982 Constitution has been amended five times since its declaration. The Chinese Constitution establishes a socialist state under the rule of law, led by the working class and based on an alliance of workers and peasants. It is a socialist state governed by a people's democratic dictatorship, with leadership by the Communist Party of China (CCP) as the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics.
The Constitution provides for a renewed and vital role for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, minor political parties, and people's organisations. It also establishes the fundamental system and task of the state, affirming the achievements of the struggles of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups. The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state and has supreme legal force. It is intended to be the fundamental standard of conduct for all state organs, armed forces, political parties, social organisations, enterprises, and public institutions in the country.
The Chinese Constitution establishes a unitary multi-national state, with socialist relations of equality, unity, mutual assistance, and harmony among the nationalities. It outlines the distribution of power between the central and local governments, with the central government taking the lead while encouraging local government initiative. The Constitution also stipulates that the state shall uphold a fundamental economic system of socialist public ownership of the means of production, with public ownership as the mainstay and diverse forms of ownership developing together.
The state is tasked with raising labour productivity, improving economic performance, and developing productive forces. It is also responsible for establishing a sound social security system compatible with the level of economic development. The Constitution guarantees human rights and protects legally obtained private property, while also outlining the basic national policies and the leadership of the CCP.
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It is led by the working class and based on an alliance of workers and peasants
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China describes the country as a ""socialist state under the people's democratic dictatorship", or a state led by the working class and based on an alliance of workers and peasants. This system is led by the Communist Party of China (CCP), which is described as the "vanguard of the working class".
The socialist system is the fundamental system of the People's Republic of China. The constitution affirms that all power in the country belongs to the people, and that the state should be governed by law, with a socialist economic system based on public ownership of the means of production. The constitution also establishes the role of various state organs, such as the National People's Congress, the President, the State Council, and the Central Military Commission.
The 1982 Constitution of China provided a legal basis for broad changes in the country's social and economic institutions and significantly revised the government structure. It re-established the posts of President and Vice President, imposed term limits on key leadership positions, and established the National Supervisory Commission and a new anti-graft agency. The 1982 Constitution has been amended five times since its enactment.
The preamble of the constitution describes China as a country with one of the longest histories in the world, and its people as having "jointly created a culture of grandeur and [having] a glorious revolutionary tradition". The preamble dates this revolutionary history as beginning in 1840.
In terms of foreign policy, the constitution affirms China's independence and adherence to the principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, non-interference in internal affairs, equality, mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. China opposes imperialism, hegemonism, and colonialism, and works to strengthen its solidarity with other countries, support oppressed peoples, and strive for world peace and human progress.
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The constitution is the fundamental standard of conduct for all
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China is intended to be the fundamental standard of conduct for all. It is a socialist constitution, with China described as "a socialist state under the people's democratic dictatorship", led by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), or the Communist Party of China (CPC). The 1982 Constitution, which has been amended five times, outlines the basic division of power in China, vesting all national legislative power in the National People's Congress (NPC) and its Standing Committee. The State Council and its Standing Committee are responsible for executing the laws.
The Constitution is to be treated as the fundamental standard of conduct by all people of ethnic groups, state organs, the armed forces, political parties, social and public organizations, and enterprises and public institutions in the country. All citizens aged 18 and above are permitted to vote, and direct popular suffrage is used to choose People's Congress members up to the county level. The Constitution also outlines the relationship between the central government and local governments, stating that the division of responsibility and power is governed under the unified leadership of the central government, while encouraging local government initiative and proactivity.
The Constitution affirms China's independent foreign policy and adherence to the five principles of mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. It also outlines China's opposition to imperialism, hegemonism, and colonialism, and its support for oppressed nations and developing countries in their struggles for independence and economic development.
State employees are required to make a public pledge of allegiance to the Constitution when assuming office. The Constitution also outlines the role of the armed forces, which belong to the people and are tasked with strengthening national defense, resisting aggression, defending the motherland, safeguarding the people's peaceful work, and participating in national development.
The 1982 Constitution has been revised multiple times to cement the CCP's control and supremacy, including extending the powers of the CCP's graft watchdog and removing term limits for the President and Vice President. These amendments reflect the evolving nature of China's Constitution, which serves as the fundamental standard of conduct for the nation.
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It establishes China's independent foreign policy
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China was first declared in 1954, with the current version being adopted in 1982. This version has been amended five times, with the most recent revision in 2018.
The Constitution establishes China's independent foreign policy, which is based on the following five principles:
- Mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity
- Mutual non-aggression
- Non-interference in each other's internal affairs
- Equality and mutual benefit
- Peaceful coexistence
China's commitment to these principles is reflected in its consistent opposition to imperialism, hegemonism, and colonialism. The country strives to strengthen its unity and solidarity with other nations, particularly those that are oppressed or developing, supporting them in their struggles for independence and economic development. China also actively promotes world peace and the advancement of humanity.
The Constitution further outlines the role of the country's armed forces in relation to its foreign policy. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) belongs to the people and has missions that include strengthening national defence, resisting aggression, defending the motherland, safeguarding peaceful labour, and participating in national development. The state works to enhance the capabilities of the PLA through revolutionization, modernization, and improved regulation.
China's independent foreign policy, as outlined in the Constitution, provides a framework for the country's diplomatic relations and its interactions with the international community.
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The constitution cements the CCP's control and supremacy
The current Constitution of the People's Republic of China was declared in 1982, after two intervening versions enacted in 1975 and 1978. The 1982 Constitution has been amended five times, with the most recent revision in 2018.
The 1982 Constitution also provided a legal basis for significant changes in China's social and economic institutions and revised the government structure. It re-established the posts of President and Vice President, which had been abolished in the previous two constitutions. Notably, the 1982 Constitution removed term limits for both the President and Vice President, enabling Xi Jinping to remain president indefinitely. Xi is also the General Secretary of the CCP, a position that does not have term limits.
The Constitution also sets up the National Supervisory Commission, establishes a new anti-graft agency, and extends the powers of the CCP's graft watchdog. Additionally, it adds Hu Jintao's Scientific Outlook on Development and Xi Jinping Thought to the Preamble, further emphasising the CCP's ideological influence.
Furthermore, the Constitution vests all national legislative power in the National People's Congress (NPC) and its Standing Committee, while the State Council and its Standing Committee are responsible for executing the laws. The CCP's control is further strengthened by the fact that actual decision-making authority in China resides in the state's executive organs and the CCP, rather than the People's Congresses, which are supposed to be critical organs according to the Constitution.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of the People's Republic of China is a socialist system led by the working class and based on an alliance of workers and peasants. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is the vanguard of the working class and has leadership over the country.
The Constitution outlines China's commitment to an independent foreign policy, mutual respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, peaceful coexistence, and opposition to imperialism, hegemonism, and colonialism. It also guarantees freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association.
The first Constitution was declared in 1954, and the current version was adopted in 1982 with subsequent amendments. The 1982 Constitution provided a legal basis for broad social and economic changes, revised the government structure, and re-established the posts of President and Vice President.
The Constitution applies to all people of China's nationalities, state organs, the armed forces, political parties, public organizations, enterprises, and undertakings in the country. All citizens over 18 who have not been deprived of their political rights are permitted to vote.
