Liu Siyang:

Thank you, Mr. Mu. Next, I'll give the floor to Mr. Chen.

Chen Yixin:

Friends from the media, good morning. I will brief you on my understanding about exercising law-based governance on all fronts and advancing the rule of law in China.

For the first time, the report to the 20th CPC National Congress has taken advancing the rule of law as a separate section and made arrangements accordingly. This fully shows that the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core has attached great importance to exercising law-based governance on all fronts. First, from a political point of view, the report has further pledged the Party's resolve to advance the rule of law. The report has also demonstrated that the Party is brave in revolution, adept in construction and bold in reform; and that the Party believes in the rule of law, stands fast to the rule of law, and strives to develop the rule of law. The report is the Party's political declaration to exercising law-based governance on all fronts. Second, from a theoretical point of view, the report has further enriched and developed Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law and deepened the understanding of the laws on CPC's law-based governance, on the socialist rule of law, and on the rule of law in human society. The report is an instrumental document for the Party to advance the rule of law in China. Third, from a practical point of view, the report has further deepened and expanded the Party and nation's work arrangements in this field in the new era, and demonstrated that all work of the state will be carried out under the rule of law. This is a significant measure for the Party to exercise the governance of the nation.

The report to the 20th CPC National Congress gives a comprehensive explanation of the status and role, overall requirements and key tasks of advancing the rule of law. In my opinion, there are mainly five aspects in this regard. 

First, the report highlights the principles in advancing the rule of law, which is the overall requirement for advancing the rule of law in the new era. The report explains the position of the comprehensive advancement of law-based governance in the country's overall work, clarifies the general requirements for advancing the rule of law in the new era, which has taken hold of the principles and enables everything fall in place. We must uphold Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law as our guide. We must, with a focus on the overall goal of developing a Chinese system of socialist rule of law and establishing China as a socialist country under the rule of law, uphold the unity between Party leadership, the running of the country by the people, and law-based governance, and firmly stay on the path of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. Only in this way, can we steadily advance the rule of law in China in the new era.

Second, the report highlights the rules for advancing the rule of law, which is to improve the socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics with the Constitution at its core. Laws are the paramount rules to observe in governance. To improve the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics, we must continue to make legislation our top priority, and give full play to its guiding and driving role. We will step up legislation in key, emerging, and foreign-related fields and make further headway in making laws in a well-conceived and democratic way and in accordance with the law. We will see that legislative work is more systematic, holistic, coordinated, and responsive, so that good laws are made to promote development and ensure good governance.

Third, the report highlights the key task in advancing the rule of law, which is to steadily advance law-based government administration. Building a law-based government is a key task and major part of comprehensively advancing law-based governance. Only when the government takes the lead to advance law-based administration and comply with the law, can the country realize orderly development under the rule of law. With regard to administrative law enforcement, we will advance structural reform to ensure that it is strict, procedure-based, impartial, and civil across the board, and enhance oversight mechanisms and capacity. We will make further progress in building law-based government.

Fourth, the report highlights the priority in advancing the rule of law, which is to ensure strict and impartial administration of justice. An impartial judiciary is the last line of defense for social fairness and justice. We will deepen comprehensive and integrated reform of the judicial system, fully and faithfully enforce judicial accountability. We will ensure the well-regulated exercise of judicial power and enhance checks and oversight on judicial activities. We will accelerate the development of a fair, efficient, and authoritative socialist judicial system, so that the people can really feel justice has been served in their everyday lives.

Fifth, the report highlights the foundation for advancing the rule of law, which is to step up efforts to establish the rule of law throughout society. A society based on the rule of law is the foundation on which we can build a country under the rule of law. It is a long-term and fundamental task to make everyone in the country to believe in and promote the rule of law. We will promote socialist rule of law and carry forward fine traditional Chinese legal culture. We will carry out intensive activities to raise public awareness of the rule of law. We will see that leading officials play an exemplary role and Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law takes root in the minds of the people and make respecting, learning about, observing, and applying the law common practice throughout society.

Thank you.