China marks Constitution Day amid legal push

BEIJING - China on Thursday marked its first Constitution Day as part of President Xi Jinping's drive to show that the country embraces rule of law.

The new holiday was being commemorated with nationwide activities in schools, government offices and state-owned companies.

It is part of Xi's campaign to institutionalize the Party's powers while strengthening the country's legal system to reduce corruption and improve government efficiency. Scores of serving and retired top officials have been detained on corruption charges.

China has enacted four constitutions since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, with the current version adopted in 1982.