Key moments in the Constitution

As a fundamental law, the Constitution has played a unique and extremely important role in the cause of the Communist Party of China and the nation.

In 1954, during the First Plenary Session of the National People's Congress, the top legislature adopted the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, which strengthened the socialist regime, guaranteed socialism, ensured that the people were masters of the country and promoted human rights.

The Constitution of 1982 stipulated the "General Principle" and "The Fundamental Rights and Duties of Citizens", clearly stating that all people enjoyed a wide range of rights, including personal rights, the right to dignity, property rights, political rights and economic, social and cultural rights.

Since then, the country has amended the Constitution five times - in 1988, 1993, 1999, 2004 and 2018 - in accordance with the developments and requirements of reform and opening-up, enhancing the status of human rights.

For example, revisions to the Constitution in 2004 established the principle that "the State respects and protects human rights", and further clarified citizens' rights in the economic, political, cultural and social spheres. This launched a new stage, where human rights developed under the guidance of constitutional principles.

The amendment to the Constitution adopted last year guarantees the principal position of the people, ensuring that in the new era the development of socialist human rights with Chinese characteristics, and the realization of the two centenary goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

To highlight the authority of the Constitution, in 2014, Dec 4 was designated annual Constitution Day.

(China Daily Global 09/16/2019 page5)