Xi stresses adherence to Constitution

HANGZHOU - Chinese President Xi Jinping asked to enhance public awareness of the Constitution and its implementation as the country observed the third Constitution Day on Sunday.

The Constitution contains the fundamental rules of the nation, and it must be adhered to while implementing rule of law, Xi said in an instruction sent to the opening of an exhibition hall in Hangzhou.

The hall features documents on the first Constitution of the People's Republic of China, which was drafted in Hangzhou and enacted in 1954.

China's top legislature adopted the current Constitution on Dec. 4, 1982 based on the 1954 version.

The exhibition hall is important for the promotion of the Constitution, so that more people are aware of and abide by the nation's laws, according to Xi.

He asked the management of the exhibition hall to uphold the Party's leadership and rule of law, and play their part in promoting and implementing the Constitution.

Constitution Day has been celebrated in China since Dec. 4, 2014, and since last year all elected or appointed officials have had to swear a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution.