As a trained lawyer and a legal commentator on CGTN, I have been fortunate enough to witness first-hand the importance of the Chinese Constitution.   

I do not make this statement glibly, but I have seen its direct positive impact on residents in China. I have seen its results with both foreign and Chinese businesses. All of this has been through the lens of working with Chinese law firms, the Chinese judiciary (at all levels), Chinese law schools, and almost every stripe of Chinese administrative agency over the years.  

Today, December 4 might seem like an ordinary day. It is in fact extraordinary, as it is Constitution Day in China. I think we should all at least recognize President Xi Jinping has stressed in both words and deeds, and the National People’s Congress, the world’s largest parliament, has endorsed the importance of the following the rule of law in China. China's constitution plays an integral vital role in the Chinese legal system.  

I myself was delighted when President Xi Jinping literally called for more efforts to promote the rule of law and the development of high-quality legal talent during his visit to China University of Political Science and Law, a place where I have lectured to postgraduates in law over the years.

The comprehensive advancement of the rule of law and the Chinese Constitution is a long-term and significant historic mission, and is related to the Party's success in governing and rejuvenating the country. It is, of course, also related to the people's happiness (as well as us foreign residents and foreign businesses) and the development of the Party and the country. 

As a lawyer, and a foreign expert appointed to examine these issues under the State Administration of Foreign Expert Affairs in Beijing, I agree wholeheartedly with President Xi and the National People's Congress, the country should look ahead to the future, lay out a good foundation and establish a good system while advancing the rule of law, this includes the Chinese Constitution.  

What I have found remarkable as a legal commentator and service provider is that President Xi also urged authorities to focus on key areas, emphasizing current issues, to promote the rule of law. 

President Xi has also recognized something that is near to my heart, the comprehensive advancement of the rule of law would not be done satisfactorily without good efforts to cultivate and maintain legal talent which has been part of my long-term efforts in working with Chinese lawyers.

While President Xi called for universities and colleges to step up research on the rule of law and other fundamental matters that involve legal issues to help improve the nation's socialist system with Chinese characteristics. The Constitution Day is a way for the common citizenry to understand there is a document to celebrate.  

No doubt, the country should also further improve its system of legal theory, and use Chinese wisdom and Chinese practice to contribute to the world's civilization on the rule of law. Hopefully Chinese judgments will soon be enforceable in some other jurisdictions with equal force, such as in Russia and Poland, or places along the Belt and Road Initiative. 

The Belt and Road Initiative becomes a realistic framework whereby the Chinese nation and its people can realize the Chinese dream, both in China and abroad. Pundits and China-watchers have speculated that the 21st century will be "China's Century" and the promotion of the rule of law and celebrating the Chinese Constitution allows all to better understand how dreams might be realized best both in China and Chinese going abroad.

I am certain, China might actively learn from the achievements of other countries in the rule of law, but should also absorb and transform them selectively, to avoid blind borrowing and imitations. 

I was fortunate enough to be a foreign commentator at CGTN helping to explain all of this when the Party convened a plenary meeting of its central committee in October 2014 to promote the rule of law. That was historic as it was the first time that a plenary session of the CPC Central Committee had taken this topic as its central theme. The positive results have been tangible as this year's Constitution Day affirms this too.  

I appeared on CGTN to explain to the viewers when the Party announced it will further emphasize the role of the Constitution in China's legal system. I have also witnessed progress to improve judicial independence, promote procedural justice, professionalize judicial officers, and build a law-abiding government as a commentator and as a legal professional. 

As I recall, President Xi urged the country's youth to use their time for study, and to “absorb knowledge like sponges.” As a long time lecturer in Chinese law schools, I am pleased to report that has been my observation, the students are meeting that high standard and studying the laws, policies, and regulations with passion and sponge-like capacity for sure. So to the youth, this is a crucial time to celebrate and study the Constitution, to train thinking and abilities, in this country as a nation which promotes the rule of law. Young people should learn the Constitution, maintain their sensitivity to new things and explore new practices and truths in a daring way to further the promotion of the Chinese constitution and the Rule of Law throughout the society.   

(Edward Lehman is a Beijing-based legal expert working with the Beijing Municipal Bureau of the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs. He is the managing director of Lehman, Lee & Xu a leading Chinese law firm, legal adviser to the World Bank, a founder and stakeholder in LehmanBush a boutique Private Equity Firm. The article reflects his opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.)