Rule of law

依法治国 (yi fa zhi guo)

For the first time, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China has made the "rule of law" the theme of its plenary session. The Fourth Plenum of the 18th CPC Central Committee issued a guideline for strengthening the rule of law in the country, which will be a framework document to further implement constitutional and other laws in the country.

The Third Plenum of the 18th CPC Central Committee, held last November, said the main aim of deepening reform is to establish social fairness and justice, and ensure people's happiness. The rule of law can keep reform on the right track to achieve that goal.

The rule of law is a big change from the "rule of man". The transformation, if completed, will protect people's rights and interests, and supervise the use of power by officials, a must for good governance, and lay the foundation for China to evolve from a big economy into a strong power.

Also, the rule of law will protect basic human rights, because it will impose restrictions on the use of power by officials. Only the rule of law can establish a sound and win-win relationship among the government, society and market, which is essential for social justice and China's further prosperity.

(China Daily USA 10/24/2014 page16)