Xi Thought to be enshrined in China's constitution

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The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) proposed on Friday to write Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the country's constitution.

The CPC passed an amendment to include the political thought of China's President Xi Jinping, also the general secretary of the Central Committee, as one of its guiding principles at the high-profile Party Congress in October.

It has now proposed to enshrine Xi Thought into the national constitution after a two-day meeting of the CPC Central Committee in Beijing presided over by Xi.

The meeting was attended by 203 members of the Committee and 172 alternate members.

Major theoretical achievements, principles and policies adopted at October's 19th CPC National Congress should be incorporated in the upcoming revision to the Constitution, the communique from the meeting said.

It highlighted the rule of law and pledged punishment for acts against the state constitution.

"All anti-constitutional behavior shall be corrected, without fail," the communique said.

"No one is allowed in any way to override the law with his or her own orders, place his or her authority above the law, violate the law for personal gain, or abuse the law."

From Party's law to the country's law

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The national constitutional amendment needs the formal approval of the country's National People's Congress (NPC), or top legislature, at its annual session in March.

The Constitution was last amended in 2004 to include guarantees regarding private property and human rights.

Absolute leadership

The communique said the CPC's leadership must be strengthened and upheld in all areas of endeavor.

Adhering to the CPC's leadership will also be listed in the amendment in the state constitution and will be legalized by Chinese lawmakers.

Xi has outlined China's ultimate goal – to “basically realize socialist modernization” by 2035 and be a leading world power by 2050.

In order to realize the national rejuvenation, the country must uphold the leadership of the CPC in all areas of the society, the statement said.

Supervision system

The meeting also discussed work to create a national supervision system to do checks and balances on Party members and government officials.

"The reform of the national supervision system is a significant political system reform that affects the whole landscape and a major decision to strengthen the self-supervision of the Party and the state," the communique said.

Supervision commissions will be created at the national, provincial, city and county levels, as the Party's moves to root out corruption.