China to revise oath of allegiance to Constitution

China plans to revise the oath of allegiance to the Constitution taken by people in public office to include adjectives of "great" and "modern" before "a socialist country."

While most parts of the oath remain unchanged, the last phrase is suggested to be changed into "to work for a great modern socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, harmonious, and beautiful," according to a draft submitted to a bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) – China's top legislature – for review on Friday.

The NPC Standing Committee convenes its bimonthly session in Beijing, Feb. 23, 2018.

China introduced oath-taking for officials in January 2016, based on a legislative decision passed in 2015. The NPC Standing Committee decided in July 2015 that officials at all levels of governments, courts and procuratorates should take a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution when they assume office.

The amendment will be put to vote on Saturday.

An important task at the two-day session is to prepare for the first annual session of the 13th NPC scheduled in March. Lawmakers will deliberate on the agenda and name lists of the presidium, secretary general and non-voting delegates of the first 13th NPC session.

A report on the implementation of the Seed Law will also be reviewed.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY & CGTN)