China introduces oath-taking for officials

China's State Council on Wednesday published detailed rules on pledges of allegiance by government officials to the country's Constitution in a bid to advance the rule of law, a government statement said.

The rules, which specified formalities and procedures for the pledges and oath takers, was approved at Wednesday's executive meeting of the State Council chaired by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.

The aim, the statement said, is to "inspire and educate" government officials to stay loyal to the Constitution, abide by and safeguard the Constitution and fulfill their duties in accordance with the law, as well as to promote the building of a law-based government.

Chinese lawmakers adopted a resolution last July stipulating that all officials elected or appointed by people's congresses at all levels and their standing committees above the county level, as well as state functionaries appointed by people's governments, courts and procuratorates at all levels, should take a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution while assuming office.

A system of pledging allegiance to the Constitution is important to advancing the rule of law, Han Xiaowu, deputy secretary-general of the NPC Standing Committee, said at the time.

It will raise the public's awareness of the Constitution, he said.

The top legislature already began oath-taking ceremonies for new officials in January this year.

Six senior officials from special committees of the National People's Congress (NPC) and commissions of the NPC Standing Committee pledged allegiance to the Constitution at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Feb. 26. Endi