In the past three decades, people have gained an increasingly deeper understanding of the law, and theories on democracy and justice have been enriched. A socialist legal framework has been developing and the rule of law has become a basic governing principle. China has made unprecedented achievements in promoting law-based governance.

I. The rule of law has been widely accepted

Thirty years of progress in developing a legal system is primarily marked by the development of the legal concept, which has evolved from rule by the people to the rule of law. The idea of the rule of law, democracy, freedom, human rights, fairness and justice is gradually shaping people's values and entering people's lives.

II. Put people first, respect and guarantee human rights

Respect and protection of human rights has not only been acknowledged by academics, but also written into the Constitution, and has become a basic principle in the Constitution. China has signed two international human rights conventions, and ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights; annulled the Measures for Taking in and Sending back Vagrants and Beggars in Cities, and at the same time enacted the Measures for Assisting Vagrants and Beggars with No Means of Support in Cities; amended the Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law and Labor Law; and enacted the Administrative License Law and Law on Labor Contracts. China has also engaged in broad discussion and dialogue on human rights. All these reflect the principle of respecting human rights.

III. Set up strategic goals for scientific development and the construction of a harmonious society

A harmonious society is first a democratic society ruled by law, a society that promotes the rule of law, fairness and justice, harmony and social order, as well as peace and unity by strengthening democracy and the political system. The implementation of the strategic plan for scientific development and the construction of a harmonious society indicate that China's reform has entered a new stage, and signifies the dawning of the era of law in China.

IV. The three governing principles of the ruling party

Democratic politics, scientific governance and governing by law set requirements and constraints for the ruling party. Their core is to improve the governing capacity of the ruling party, and ensure the ruling party is "of the people, by the people, for the people" and takes the lead in making, observing and enforcing the law. The three governing principles enrichment the rule of law, and are crucial to fostering the rule of law and building a socialist country ruled by law.

V. The three integrated aspects of democratic governance by law

Adhering to the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the people as the masters and the ruling of the country by law are three fundamental characteristics of socialist China. These principles are the guides for exploring gradual reform of the political system and have clarified the direction, path, content and principle of political change.

VI. Remarkable achievements in lawmaking

The legal system with Chinese characteristics, with the Constitution as its core, has taken shape. In addition to the current Constitution and four amendments to the Constitution, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) has enacted over 230 laws currently in effect. The State Council has made over 600 administrative regulations currently in effect; local people's congresses and their standing committees at various levels have enacted over 7,000 local regulations currently in effect; and the people's congresses of the ethnic autonomous regions have enacted over 600 autonomous regulations and separate regulations currently in effect.

Now there are basic laws to abide by in major aspects of political, economic and social life. The laws made by the Standing Committee of the NPC can be classified into the following categories, ranked by number of laws in each category: administrative law, 79, 34.49 percent of total laws currently in effect; economic law, 54, 23.58 percent of the total; constitution and laws related to constitution, 39, 17.03 percent of the total; civil and commercial law, 32, 13.97 percent of the total; laws on society, 17, 7.42 percent of the total; litigation, and non-litigation procedural law, 7, 3.0 percent of the total; criminal law, 1, 0.43 percent of the total.

VII. Administration by law develops steadily