Using rule of law to manage armed forces

At a meeting on Tuesday, the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee emphasized the importance of deepening military reform. And top leader Xi Jinping reiterated the importance of military legislation, and interpretation or annulment of laws and regulations.

In May, Xi signed a decree, laying out rules for the formulation of military laws and regulations, as well as the procedure for drafting standard documents. The decree will help regulate rulemaking for the military and standardize the formulation of military laws and regulations.

The reform of military law-making is expected to strengthen military laws by making clear the legislative responsibilities of all parties concerned. According to the latest regulation, the Central Military Commission, for example, has the right to formulate military laws and regulations, while the military units can only draw up regulations. In terms of effect, it makes clear the regulations promulgated by the CMC override those passed by the units.