Officials' constitutional oath only a start, but a good start

The requirement for Chinese officials to pledge their allegiance to the country's Constitution has clearly revealed China's resolve to bolster the authority of the Constitution.

In a sense it is some kind of formality, but against the background of the reforms and changes taking place in China, it is evident that such procedures are not merely about formality.

A key policy document of the Communist Party of China (CPC) published on Tuesday announced that Chinese government officials must pledge their allegiance to the country's Constitution before taking office.

The document underlines the rule of Constitution and governance in line with the Constitution.

By requiring the officials to take their oaths, the document once again declared in an explicit manner that administrative power should be regulated by the Constitution, not stand above it, and that officials' use of power must not run counter to the Constitution.

For the officials, the oath is also a reminder-- a reminder to raise their awareness and respect to the authority of the Constitution and law, as well as a reminder that the officials owe allegiance to the Constitution and the power behind the Constitution, the power of the country's people.

By pledging their allegiance, the officials will be reminded that their power is meted out by the people, not their superiors or their direct nominators, and that they must diligently work to serve and defend the interests of the people, rather than undermine them.

Moreover, as it is practiced in many other countries, officials' oaths will be regarded as a solemn commitment, both to the country, the people and to the officials themselves, that they will faithfully observe the Constitution and that once their conducts have encroached on the Constitution, they will be help liable for the breaches.

Also, as some experts have pointed out, the attitude of a country's officials towards the law will massively affect the entire society and the officials' abiding by the Constitution and law will be an example for the public's compliance, a significant step in achieving the rule of law.

It is inevitable that the oath of office itself may not be strong enough to rein in the use of power.

However, it should be noted that the CPC has also vowed a series measures to ensure the implementation of the Constitution, indicating its determination to enforce the Constitution and adhere to the rule of Constitution

The CPC document stressed that the top legislature should play a better role in supervising the Constitution's implementation, and that procedural rules regarding the interpretation of the Constitution should be improved.

It continued to say that all regulatory documents of the government should be filed for record and those that run counter to the Constitution must be rectified or nullified.

Asking Chinese officials to take their constitutional oaths is but a start, but it is a good start, and a good start will help the country to follow through and achieve the goal regarding the rule of law and rule of Constitution.