China's growing legal system

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02:29

There are currently over 400,000 lawyers in China. Forty years ago, the country had hardly any. China began its reform and opening-up in the late 1970s, during which the legal system began to see significant changes.

Xiao Shengfang, National People's Congress (NPC) deputy and president of the Guangdong Lawyers Association, says one of the most important reforms in China's legal history was the national qualification examination.

"China carried out the first examination for lawyers' qualification in 1986. It's an exam that changed many people's lives, including mine," Xiao told CGTN. "I took the exam in 1996 and got my lawyer's license in 1997. Since then I have found my real passion and kept up the hard work in this field."

Xiao Shengfang, NPC deputy and president of the Guangdong Lawyers Association, recalls his work experience. / CGTN Photo

1997 was also the year that China's first law on lawyers took effect. Decades later, they are much easier for people to find.

According to China's Ministry of Justice, there are over 40,000 public legal service centers or stations nationwide. The centers cover a vast majority of urban and rural areas, where people can get free legal advice from lawyers.

Guangzhou Public Legal Service Center provides free consultation for people. / CGTN Photo

Xiao says China's progress in legislation also enables lawyers to better fulfill their work. "Now we have over 260 laws in China, and more than 16,000 rules and regulations. I'll say it's a miracle."

China's Ministry of Justice estimates that the number of Chinese lawyers will increase to 620,000 by 2022.

(Lai Shiwen also contributed to this story.)