The Constitution is the fundamental law of the state.

The existing Constitution was adopted for implementation by the 5th Session of the 5th National Peoples Congress on December 4, 1982. Amendments were made to the Constitution respectively at the 1st Session of the 7th National Peoples Congress on April 12, 1988, the 1st Session of the 8th National Peoples Congress on March 29, 1993 and the 2nd Session of the 9th National Peoples Congress on March 15, 1999. (1) The Communist Party of China is the countrys sole political party in power. The Peoples Republic of China was founded by the Communist Party of China which is the leader of the Chinese people. (2) The socialist system The socialist system led by the working class and based on the alliance of the workers and farmers is the fundamental system of the Peoples Republic of China (3) All rights belong to the people All the power in the country belongs to the people who exercise their power through the National Peoples Congress and local peoples congresses at all levels. The people manage the state, economy, culture and other social affairs through a multitude of means and forms. (4) The fundamental task and goals of the state To concentrate on the socialist modernization drive along the road of building socialism with Chinese characteristics; to adhere to the socialist road, persist in the reform and opening up program, improve the socialist system in all aspects, develop the market economy, expand democracy, and improve the rule of law; to be self-reliance and work hard to gradually realize the modernization of the industry, agriculture, national defense, science and technology so as to build China into a strong and democratic socialist country with a high degree of cultural development. (5) Democratic centralism The organizational principle for the state organs is democratic centralism. (6) The armed forces of the people The armed forces of the Peoples Republic of China belong to the people. The tasks of the armed forces are to consolidate national defense, resist invasion, defend the country, safeguard the people in their peaceful work and life, take part in the countrys economic construction and strive to serves the people.

(8) The system of ethnic regional autonomy All ethnic groups are equal. All prejudice and oppression against any ethnic group is forbidden. All behaviors harmful to ethnic unity and aimed at ethnic separation are forbidden. 2. The position and rights of the citizen in the political life of the country (2) The right to vote and stand for election All citizens who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote and stand for election, regardless of ethnic status, race, sex, occupation, family background, religious belief, education, property status or length of residence, except persons deprived of political rights according to law. (3) The freedom of speech and thought All citizens enjoy freedom of speech, of the press, or assembly, of association, of procession and of demonstration (4) The freedom of religious belief Citizens enjoy the freedom of religious belief. No state organ, public organization or individual may compel citizens to believe in, or not to believe in, any religion. (7) The right to criticize and make suggestions Citizens have the right to criticize and make suggestions regarding any state organ or functionary. They have the right to make to relevant state organs complaints or charges against, or exposures of, any state organ or functionary for violation of the law or dereliction of duty. (13) The equality of men and women Women enjoy equal rights with men in all spheres of life, in political, economic, cultural, social and family life. (14) Both husband and wife have the duty to practice family planning. (15) Citizens have the obligation to pay taxes in accordance with the law. (16) Citizens have the obligation to perform military service and join the militia in accordance with the law.

Legislation Structure

Chinas current legislation structure has its own characteristics. First, in China, the power of legislation is not held by a single power organ or one particular person. So it does not belong to the category of a singular legislation structure. Second, Chinas legislative power is carried out by two or more power organs, which means the country has multi legislative powers, including at national level, that for administrative laws and local laws, each subject to different organ authority. This also means that these authority organs do not hold the same legislative power and as such it does not belong to a compound legislative structure either. Third, Chinas legislation structure is not one of checks and balances, where the legislation, administration and court stand independently to restrain one another. Chinas president and premier of the State Council both come from the National Peoples Congress. The president, following the decision of the National Peoples Congress (NPC), publicizes laws. The premier, however, does not have the right to approve or reject laws made by the NPC. Administrative laws and regulations shall not go against the laws passed by the NPC; local laws and regulations shall not go against the national laws and administrative regulations; and the NPC has the power to withdraw administrative laws and local regulations that go against the laws it has worked out. This shows the internal relations of Chinas legislation structure one of subordination, unification and supervision. It does not represent a relationship of restraint. Chinas current legislation structure has its distinctive characteristics. One of them, from the angle of the legislative power-division, is its centralization and division of power, or a certain degree of decentralization; the structure exists at several different levels and is the combination of many categories. Under this system, the top-powered state organ or its standing body conducts a unified leadership; the State Council holds

great power and local governments have limited power.