The CPC convened a plenary meeting of its central committee in October 2014 to further promote the rule of law. It was the first time a plenary session of the CPC Central Committee had taken the topic as its central theme.
In a statement released after the plenary session, the Party said it will further emphasize the role of the Constitution in China's legal system. It also aims to improve judicial independence, promote procedural justice, professionalize judicial officers, and build a law-abiding government.
During a visit to the China University of Political Science and Law in May, Xi said that a comprehensive advancement of the rule of law is a long-term and significant historic mission, which is related to the people's happiness and the development of the Party and the country.
He called on universities and colleges to step up research into the rule of law and other fundamental matters that involve legal issues to help improve the nation's socialist system with Chinese characteristics.
In his speech to mark the 95th anniversary of the CPC in July 2016, Xi vowed to guarantee the authority of the Constitution and laws. No organization or individual is privileged to act beyond the Constitution or the laws, and all acts in violation of the Constitution or the laws must be investigated, he said.
Comprehensively promoting the rule of law is one of the "Four Comprehensives"－a strategic blueprint drawn up by Xi to create paths to realize the national rejuvenation. The other three are comprehensively building a moderately well-off society; comprehensively deepening reforms; and comprehensively promoting stricter governance of the Party.
Last year, the National People's Congress and its Standing Committee made a total of 10 laws, revised 24 laws and adopted six decisions on legal issues. By the end of December, there were 256 current effective laws, apart from the current Constitution, according to the China Law Society.
