Senior State Council officials pledge allegiance to Constitution

BEIJING -- Sixteen senior officials of the State Council took an oath of allegiance to the Constitution at a ceremony Tuesday.

Wednesday marks China's sixth national Constitution Day.

The ceremony was held in the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in downtown Beijing and overseen by Premier Li Keqiang.

The officials were appointed to 14 State Council departments from July to November this year.

Xiao Jie, state councilor and secretary-general of the State Council, announced the beginning of the ceremony at around 11 am. The officials sang the national anthem and recited the oath.

In a speech after the ceremony, Premier Li said that it is a basic code of conduct for everyone working in the public sector to be loyal to the Constitution and abide by the laws, and they must bear in mind the goal of securing a better life for the people.

Vice-Premiers Han Zheng, Hu Chunhua and Liu He, and State Councilors Wang Yong and Wang Yi were present.