The content and process of adopting amendments to the Constitution of China in 2018

Abstract

The article discusses current theoretical issues concerning the process of adopting amendments to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and their content. The Constitution of the PRC is the fundamental law of China. It plays a crucial role in the socialist legal system with Chinese specifics in the new era. From September 29, 2017 to March 11, 2018, the fifth draft amendments to the Constitution of the PRC in 1982 were formed and adopted within 6 months. This is a great event in China, and it also carries a landmark and historical significance for the development of Chinese legislation. The draft amendments were supposed to make 21 changes to the current Constitution of the PRC. The content of the changes is provided as: affirming the scientific approach to the development of the state and society, Xi Jinping’s ideas about socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era have become the main reference point in the socio-political life of the country; regulation of the full implementation of the general plan for the construction of socialism with Chinese characteristics; improving actions to govern the country in accordance with the law and to implement legislation; full improvement of the essence of the development of the revolution and the construction of the country; full enhancement of the content of the United Patriotic Front and interethnic relations; filling the direction of peaceful diplomatic policy with content; providing support and strengthening the leadership of the Communist Part of China; emphasizing the role of basic socialist values; changes to the previously established terms of office of the President of the state; expansion of the regulation of local legislation of cities of central subordination; expansion of the regulations for the relevant inspection commissions.

Keywords:

constitutional law of China, amendments to the Constitution of China, socialist legal system, socialism with Chinese characteristics, local legislation of China, peaceful diplomatic policy of China, Chinese control committees