Cao Yin

While upholding the principle of the people running the country, China will also deepen reforms and promote its path to modernization by rule of law, Shen Chunyao, an official from the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, said on Friday.

Shen, head of the NPC Standing Committee's Legislative Affairs Commission, stressed that developing whole-process people's democracy is integral to Chinese modernization, saying "It's a must to firmly stay on the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics and uphold and improve our country's foundational, basic and important political systems."

He remarked at a news conference on the guiding principles from the third plenary session of the 20th Communist Party of China Central Committee, which was closed in Beijing on Thursday.

"To develop whole-process people's democracy, it is essential to put people first and diversify the forms of democracy at all levels, ensuring that the principle of the people running the country is manifested in concrete and visible ways in all aspects of China's political and social activities," he said, adding that this is a key requirement of the plenary session.

Noting that the rule of law provides an important guarantee for Chinese modernization, he also emphasized that China will ensure its reforms are aligned with the rule of law.

Under the requirements of the plenary session, China is planning to form a complete legal system, an efficient law enforcement system, a strict legal supervision system, a strong legal guarantee system and an improved intra-party regulation system at a higher level, he said.

"We'll ensure full implementation of the Constitution and uphold its authority, as well as deepen reforms in legislation and strengthen the rule of law in foreign-related affairs," he added.

He urged a people-centered approach to strengthening law-based governance, calling for advancing reforms by the rule of law and improving the rule of law in the reforms.