China is celebrating the 5th anniversary of a landmark 2020 work meeting in Beijing, when General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Xi Jinping enshrined Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law as the guiding principle for legal governance.
That two-day meeting on November 16–17, 2020 set the stage for China’s drive toward a mature socialist legal system. It emphasized unity between Party leadership, people’s governance, and law-based rule, laying a philosophical foundation for ongoing reforms. 📜
Legal milestones in China’s history include:
- 1950: The Marriage Law – China’s first national law, introducing monogamy and formal registration.
- 1982: Adoption of the current Constitution, since amended five times.
- 2010: Over 236 national laws, 690+ administrative regulations, and 8,600+ local norms formed a full socialist legal framework.
- 2021: Entry into force of the Civil Code – a unified document covering marriage, property, contracts, inheritance and more, replacing earlier standalone laws like the Marriage Law.
China’s legal profession has also exploded in size. By September 2025, there were over 830,000 practicing lawyers (+37% since 2020), along with 67,000 arbitrators, 15,000 notaries, 40,000 forensic experts and 12,000 legal aid workers. Together, they handle more than 40 million cases and services each year. ⚖️
What began with a single marriage law in 1950 now spans a complex Civil Code and an ever-growing corps of legal professionals. Five years on, this evolution shows how law has become central to China’s governance, development and long-term vision.
As China charts its future under Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, its legal journey offers a fascinating look at how a nation builds rule of law step by step. 🌏
Reference(s):
From Marriage Law to Civil Code: The evolution of China's legal system
cgtn.com
