Rule of law to be promoted in Chinese Navy

The Fourth Plenum of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee adopted a communiqué which focuses on "comprehensively advancing the rule of law" in China. It stipulated that "the People's Liberation Army will promote the rule of law and enforce strict discipline."

For China's Navy to enhance the status of law in their military actions, it is fundamental to make plans in accordance with the law for various military actions by the naval forces. The majority of naval military actions are complicated, occur suddenly and are concerned with political issues. Therefore the plans must be accurate and executable. The plan-makers need to take all factors into consideration and review the plans often during their practice in major military actions and make adjustments to the plans according to the actual conditions.

Enhancing the status of law in the Navy's military actions, it is very important to research into laws and regulations concerning naval military actions. In recent years, military actions have been closely related to laws; therefore it is pressing to strengthen research and study relevant domestic and international laws and regulations, and further popularize knowledge of the law among officials and soldiers.

Enhancing the status of law in the Navy's military actions is the guarantee to improving the mechanism where the application of law and military actions can operate at the same time. In recent years, law experts have often been sent to join in major military actions, such as escorting and joint military drills, to good effect.