China's constitutional amendments explained by NPC legislative head

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China's newly-passed constitutional amendments, which include stressing the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), enshrining Xi's thought and emphasizing the role of the national supervision commission, were explained at a press conference Sunday.

Shen Chunyao, chairman of the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the 12th NPC Standing Committee, answered questions from reporters at the press conference during the annual session in Beijing.

Introducing the process of the deliberation to the constitutional amendments, he said over 2,400 deputies aired their opinions of the draft revision during panel discussions and group meetings on Wednesday, and the presidium of the first session of the 13th NPC decided on matters about the draft constitutional amendments on Saturday.

Shen Chunyao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) legislative commission, takes questions from reporters during the press conference, March 11, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

NPC, China's top legislature, adopted on Sunday the amendments to the country's Constitution through secret ballots. This is an important agenda accomplished at the first session of the 13th NPC, according to Shen.

The main purpose of these amendments is to write the major theoretical achievements, principles and policies adopted at the 19th CPC National Congress into the fundamental law of the country, which reflects "new achievements, new experience and new requirements of the Party and national developments," Shen added.

CPC leadership stressed in the Constitution

The Constitution has always been very clear and consistent on the CPC leadership.

By writing the new sentence "The leadership of the CPC is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics" into the Constitution, the principle was strengthened, deepened and expanded, said Shen.

Reporters take part in the press conference on China's constitutional amendment, March 11, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

The revision has reflected the fundamental, comprehensive and contemporary nature of the CPC leadership, he highlighted.

The Party exercises overall leadership over all areas of endeavor in every part of the country, Shen added.

Xi's thought enshrined in China's Constitution

"As an important content of the amendment, the inclusion of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the country's fundamental law reflects the common aspiration of the entire Party and all Chinese people of various ethnic groups," said Shen.

Xi's thought is the latest achievement in adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and encapsulates the practical experience and collective wisdom of the CPC and the people, Shen noted.

Shen Chunyao, chairman of the NPC legislative commission, and the vice chairwoman of the commission, Zheng Shuna, take questions at the press conference, March 11, 2018./ Xinhua Photo

"It has been the fundamental theoretical guide for the historic achievements and shifts made in the cause of the Party and the country since the 18th CPC National Congress," he said.

The addition of Xi's thought and the Scientific Outlook on Development has ensured the country's guiding theories to advance with the times, according to Shen.

Creating the national supervisory commission

China lists the supervisory commission as a new type of state organ in its Constitution.

Zheng Shuna, vice chairwoman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC standing committee, takes questions during the press conference, March 11, 2018. /Xinhua Photo‍

"Among the amendments to 21 items in China's Constitution, 11 of them are about the national supervisory commission," Zheng Shuna, the vice chairwoman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC standing committee, said during the press conference.

According to Zheng, the national supervisory commission will be China's highest body of supervision.

"The purpose of this reform is to combine the resources and forces to fight against corruption, strengthening the central leadership of the Party's anti-corruption work and building a centralized, unified, authoritative and effective national supervisory system," Zheng told reporters.

(With input from Xinhua News Agency)