Constitutional revision 'important task' for NPC annual session: spokesperson

Revising part of China's Constitution is an important task for the first annual session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, a spokesperson said Sunday.

"The Constitution, which reflects the common will of the Communist Party of China and Chinese people, is China's fundamental law and the general chapter for governing the country well and ensuring national security," said Zhang Yesui, spokesperson for the first session of the 13th NPC, said at a news conference in Beijing. 

Zhang Yesui, executive vice-foreign minister since 2012, speaks as spokesman for the first session of China's 13th National People's Congress in Beijing, on Sunday, March 4, 2018. [Photo: China Plus]

About 3,000 NPC deputies will deliberate on a draft constitutional revision at the session, which is set to open Monday.

If adopted, the amendments will mark the fundamental law's first revision in 14 years.

The current Constitution has been proven a good law that fits in China's reality and meets the demand of the times, Zhang said. 

"The Constitution can only ensure its lasting vitality by constantly adapting to new situations, drawing on new experiences, confirming new achievements and setting down new norms," he continued.

It is necessary to appropriately amend the Constitution to incorporate major theoretical, practical and institutional achievements made by the Party and the people in order to give better play to the Constitution's critical role in upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era, he said.

Amending the Constitution is a big event in the country's political life and a major legislative activity with wide-ranging implications, the spokesperson added.

Upholding the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and reflecting the will of the people should be the principles for amending the Constitution. 

The amendment should only include changes to part of the Constitution, not drastic revisions, Zhang said.

The amendment must follow due process, be based on broad consensus, and ensure the Constitution's consistency, stability and authority, according to the spokesperson. 

The first Constitution of the People's Republic of China (PRC) was enacted in 1954. The current Constitution has been in place since 1982 and has undergone four amendments in 1988, 1993, 1999 and 2004. 

Responding to a question on the proposed revision to a clause concerning the Chinese President's term of office, Zhang said the CPC Constitution does not stipulate that general secretary of the CPC Central Committee and chairperson of the Central Military Commission (CMC) of the CPC shall not serve more than two consecutive terms.

The nation's Constitution has no such stipulation on chairperson of the CMC of the PRC either, he continued.

To make the constitutional provision concerning the President conform with the aforementioned practices is conducive to safeguarding the authority and the centralized and unified leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping at the core, and to strengthening and improving China's leadership system, he added.