CPC to convene key meeting on rule of law Oct 20-23

A key Chinese political meeting that looks set to discuss rule of law has been scheduled for Oct 20-23 in Beijing.

The Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee set the date for the fourth plenary session of the CPC 18th central committee during a meeting chaired by General Secretary Xi Jinping on Tuesday.

This will be the first time a plenary session of the CPC Central Committee has taken rule of law as its central theme, earlier reports said.

Rule of law was a key topic at Tuesday's political bureau meeting.

According to a statement released after the meeting, rule of law is "a must" if the country wants to build a prosperous society in an all-rounded way, rejuvenate the nation, comprehensively deepen reform, and improve socialism with Chinese characteristics and the Party's governance capability.

The statement emphasized that rule of law should be advanced under the CPC leadership and in line with socialism with Chinese characteristics.

A complete legal system, featuring efficient enforcement, close supervision and forceful guarantee, must be put into place, it said.

The central leadership called for efforts to promote the rule of law, governing by law and administration by law simultaneously, so as to ensure scientific legislation, strict enforcement, judicial justice and promote modern governance.

During Tuesday's meeting, political bureau members listened to a report about opinions solicited on a draft decision of the CPC Central Committee on major issues concerning comprehensively advancing the rule of law. The draft decision will be submitted for review at the fourth plenary session.

The meeting also reviewed the CPC's "mass line" campaign, launched in June last year to improve ties between CPC officials and the general public by cleaning up bad working practices. According to the meeting, the campaign may just be ending, but the CPC is eager for yet more improvements.

"The campaign has reached its goals... but Party organizations at all levels must not let up on the drive to improve working practices and should continue to deal with the problems exposed by the campaign," said a statement released Tuesday after a meeting of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Empty speeches, interminable meetings, lavish banquets and entertainment at VIP clubs were all targets of the campaign. Focused on officials at or above county level, Party members examined their own conduct, laid their problems bare, analyzed the causes and made plans to set things right.

"With strict standards, measures and discipline, the campaign helped officials solve their own problems. It had a significant effect and won people's full support, as well as positive comments from both inside and outside the Party," the statement said.

Party members have learnt to think for themselves and make decisions from the people's perspective. Many Party figures began sincere relationships with ordinary folk by speaking honestly and being real friends to the people.

According to the political bureau statement, "a batch of prominent issues" that were closely related to people's interests and harmed the Party's grassroots foundations have been solved. Grassroots Party officials and organizations have improved their work capacity and sharpened their awareness of rules.

The statement called for continued action on misbehavior and a long-term mechanism to limit the power of officials, making self-improvement a routine part of an official's day.