Top legislature adopts decision on promotion of law

BEIJING - China's top legislature on Thursday adopted a decision relating to educating the public on the rule of law over next five years.

Of all the principles to be promoted, the Constitution will be prioritized, according to the decision approved at a bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, which concluded the same day.

As laws and regulations relate to the whole population, the promotion campaign will target all citizens capable of receiving education, according to the decision. It also highlighted that the law-awareness campaign in rural and ethnic regions should be designed with the local people in mind.

Leading officials at all levels should take the lead in understanding China's laws, the decision said, while underscoring that it is their responsibility to abide by and strictly enforce the laws, and that their behavior will enhance the legal awareness of society.

Moreover, the assessment on leading officials will take into account their record of respecting, learning, abiding by and using the law, according to the decision.

It also stressed the promotion of law-related education among the younger generation, as well as integrating the education on law and morality.

Calling for new ideas, methods and mechanisms to promote and educate the people about law, the decision underscored the role that newspapers, broadcasters, television, new media and new technology will play in the campaign.

All concerned parties, including government agencies, armed forces, parties and people's organizations, were told that they, too, would play a pivotal role.