The establishment of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law at a central conference in November 2020 marked a significant shift toward a people-centered approach to governance. Six years on, this approach has become a tangible reality, as demonstrated through actions across various fields. The true measure of this move is not in slogans or texts, but in whether the needs of ordinary people are recognized, met and protected through institutional mechanisms.
Legislation, law enforcement and the judiciary are all amplifying the voice of the people, ensuring their views are heard and their concerns addressed. By improving how institutions work, the system ensures that individuals in need are heeded and supported.
Earlier this month, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, adopted a law on procuratorial public-interest litigation, which will take effect on Jan 1, 2027. The law identifies the construction of barrier-free environments as a domain where prosecutors can file public-interest lawsuits. This means that if wheelchair users find a ramp too steep or a tactile path blocked, they need not hire a lawyer or file a case themselves. Prosecutors will step in on their behalf and push the relevant departments to make necessary rectifications.
In short, the legislation supports people with disabilities by safeguarding their rights and enhancing their living conditions. Notably, the benefits extend beyond people with disabilities and the elderly to anyone with accessibility needs, including those with temporary injuries, pregnant women, and parents with infants. Previously, prosecutors could file public-interest lawsuits involving the environment, food and drug safety, and the rights of women and children. This expansion in procuratorial power is a legislative response to public demand.
In another people-centered move, the Ministry of Public Security has targeted online insults, defamation and privacy violations through a major campaign launched this year. Data show that as of September, over 36,000 online cases were handled by the police nationwide, including 2,500 cases of cyberbullying and 4,100 cases of personal information breaches. For individuals who have been "doxxed", it is not necessary to understand the legalities of "cyberspace governance". They just need to file a complaint, and public security authorities will investigate and protect their online rights.
The people's assessor system exemplifies the people-centered approach. It is designed to integrate ordinary people's perspectives and professional knowledge into judicial proceedings. A report released by the Supreme People's Court highlights the role of 340,000 people's assessors in China who are playing an increasingly influential role in high-profile cases and helping to uphold justice.
In one case involving the labor contracts of a ship's crew, a court in Tianjin accepted the opinions of assessors with shipping expertise and ruled that the unpaid crew members had priority claims over the vessel. Following the auction of the ship, the court's verdict ensured that nearly 10 million yuan ($1.5 million) in outstanding wages were paid to 88 crew members.
The people's assessor system enables judges to understand disputes more comprehensively. This reflects justice for the people more precisely because citizens are informed about judicial processes, participate in proceedings, and witness the outcomes.
"Taking a people-centered approach" or "putting people first", embodied in laws that empower prosecutors to file public-interest litigations for barrier-free facilities, the expertise shared by assessors in courtrooms, and every action against online violations, are tangible manifestations of a theory put into practice.
Such approaches are part of a continuous endeavor to embed the principle in institutional design: What difficulties do people face? What are their immediate needs? How can we address them? Ultimately, the true value of a theory is measured by its ability to impact the lives of ordinary people.
