Since becoming general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee in 2012, Xi Jinping has given top priority to the rule of law. In improving China's legal systems and rigorously exercising law-based governance, he has put forward a series of new ideas, new thinking and new strategies as guides to action, giving shape to Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law.

Five years ago, the Central Conference on Law-Based Governance proposed Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law for the first time and elaborated on it with the following 11 points:

upholding overall Party leadership in law-based governance;

upholding a people-centered approach; 

upholding the rule of law under socialism with Chinese characteristics; 

upholding Constitution-based governance and exercise of state power; 

upholding the rule of law in modernizing the state system and capacity for governance;

developing a system of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics;

pursuing coordinated progress in law-based governance, exercise of state power and government administration, and integrating the rule of law for the country, the government and society;

ensuring sound lawmaking, strict law enforcement, impartial administration of justice and the observance of law by all;

taking a coordinated approach to the rule of law at home and in matters involving foreign parties;

developing a force of high-caliber legal personnel with moral integrity and professional competence; and

making sure that leading officials, though small in number, play a key role in implementing the rule of law.

Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law is an important component of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, a philosophy that encapsulates President Xi's vision for China's governance. It serves as the fundamental guideline for implementing the rule of law across all fields.

China aims to largely complete the building of a law-based country, government and society by 2035. Therefore, it is necessary to accelerate the improvement of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics and the establishment of systems to ensure it's put into effect and oversee its implementation. A well-defined system of Party rules and regulations must also be in place to strengthen the CPC's self-governance and ensure it can always lead by example. BR