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Major changes under the amended

1. Setting limits on government power Any extra legal burdens imposed must now be set out in a written law. The amendment allows local governments to formulate regulations that increase the legal obligations on citizens "if and when required by the local government" but orders local governments to propose new laws to the local people's congresses or their standing committees. If local regulations remain in place for two years they will be placed on the statute books.

2. Delegation of legislative power The law extends legislative power to 282 cities from 49, but reduces the scope and only allows them to make local laws focusing on "rural and urban development and management, environmental protection, and preservation of historical heritage and cultural values".