China to reform legal profession qualification system

BEIJING - Chinese authorities have pledged reforms to the country's qualification system for those who want to enter the legal profession.

An opinion jointly issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the State Council and published on Sunday said the system will be improved to ensure those engaged in law professions are "faithful to the Party, the country, the people and the law."

The current system requires specific exams for four professions, namely judges, prosecutors, lawyers and notaries. The new system combines them into one single exam and extends it to more professions such as those that involve the imposition of restrictions on the rights of citizens and corporate bodies, or auxiliary positions in the justice system.

Those who enter the legal professions shall also receive a unified preservice training, according to the document.

The document also defines the suspension and revoking of licenses for law professionals.