Changes to Constitution in line with people’s will, leaders agree

The draft amendment to China’s Constitution effectively promotes democracy, gathers wisdom from all walks of life and shows the common will of the Communist Party of China and the people, said Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

Xi said he fully agrees with the draft amendment as he joined a panel discussion with the deputies to the 13th National People’s Congress from Guangdong province on Wednesday in Beijing.

Amending parts of the Constitution is a major policy decision made by the CPC Central Committee with an eye on the big picture and the strategic height of upholding and developing socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era, Xi said.

The move to amend also is a major step taken in pressing ahead with the comprehensive rule of law as well as the modernization of the country’s governing system and capability, Xi added.

Premier Li Keqiang said in a panel discussion with the deputies from Zhejiang province that amending the Constitution is a major measure taken for upholding governance by the Constitution, and he fully agrees with the draft amendment.

Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, said in a panel discussion with the deputies from the Beijing municipality that he fully endorses the draft amendment.

He mentioned the draft amendment’s role in affirming the great achievements and experience brought by the Party and the people in the form of the Constitution.

Li Zhanshu also noted the inclusion in the draft of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and the major innovation outcomes of the 19th CPC National Congress in terms of theory, practice and system.

These offer a constitutional guarantee for upholding and championing the authoritativeness and the centralized and unified leading role of the CPC Central Committee with Xi Jinping as its core, and for realizing the Chinese dream of seeking the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, Li Zhanshu said.

Wang Huning, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, said in a panel discussion with the deputies from Guizhou province that he fully endorses the draft amendment.

The draft fully honors the spirit of the 19th CPC National Congress and those of the First, Second and Third Plenary

Sessions of the 19th CPC Central Committee, and it fully displays the will of the people, Wang said.

Zhao Leji, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and secretary of the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, said in a panel discussion with deputies from Jiangsu province that the amendment will define the guiding status of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in the Constitution and will further clarify the supreme political principle, that the Party has a leading role in all kinds of works.

The amendment will define the constitutional status of the supervisory commissions, Zhao said, adding that the discipline inspection and supervisory bodies must exercise their powers in stringent accordance with the Constitution and the laws.

Han Zheng, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, noted in a panel discussion with the deputies from the Tianjin municipality that the Party has led the people in building socialism with Chinese characteristics and innovation outcomes in terms of theories, practice and system have been created in the process.

Promoting the outcomes to be part of the Constitution is a major institutional arrangement for ensuring lasting development and long-lasting order and stability in the course of the Party and the country, Han said, adding that he fully agrees with the draft amendment.