Meaningful law amendment

The current deliberation of the amendment to the Administrative Procedure Law by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress takes on a particular meaning when the independent and fair exercise of judicial power by judges has been written as a goal of judicial reform.

The Administrative Procedure Law, which took effect in October 1990, which allows ordinary citizens to bring government to court, was considered a breakthrough in the country's development of rule of law.

"For the first time in China's history an ordinary resident can take up the weapon of law to defend his or her own interest and right against the government." This is how some legal experts described the significance of this particular law when it took effect.