CRI听力:Draft constitutional amendments endorsed by Chinese leadership, lawmakers

Reviewing and discussing amendments to the Chinese Constitution have been a major task for national legislators and political advisors gathered in Beijing for their annual sessions.

The draft revisions have won support from Chinese leaders, lawmakers and political advisors. 

While meeting with deputies to the National People's Congress, Chinese President Xi Jinping said that he fully endorsed the draft constitutional amendments.

The Chinese leader, who is also the general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said the move to amend the Constitution is major decision made by the Central Committee from an overall and strategic vantage point to uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics in a new era.

Xi Jinping has also hailed it as a major move to advance law-based governance and modernize China's system and capacity for governance.

Those sentiments have been echoed by lawmakers and political advisors now meeting in Beijing.

Xu Xianming is an NPC deputy and deputy-chief prosecutor.

"I think the constitutional amendments this time will decide the future of our nation, even concerning our national development trajectory. When it comes to thoughts guiding the country, to include Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the Constitution, and to turn the CPC's thought into national guiding thought, it is something equivalent to embracing the essence of our country and nation. "

Yang Zhen, an NPC deputy and professor with Heilongjiang University, said the amendment process is a major move in China's efforts to practice the rule of law.

"I've carefully deliberated on the draft amendments to the Constitution. I believe the draft reflects the common will of both the CPC and the people, has distinctive characteristics of the era, follows the rule of constitutional development, and conforms to requirement of scientific, democratic and law-abiding legislation."

Gao Jie is a political advisor from the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee and a member of the All-China Women's Federation.

She said the draft revisions reflect the collective wisdom of Chinese lawmakers.

"The amendments were drafted based on the opinions of people from various sectors. And there are more than 2,600 pieces of revision suggestions from various regions and sectors, and that, I believe, has widely reflected the will of the people."

The draft revisions include giving constitutional authority to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

The leadership of the Communist Party of China will also be designated as the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics.

A revision to a clause concerning the Chinese President and Vice President's term of office is in the draft.

A new section about supervisory commissions is suggested to be added to lay down a constitutional basis for an upgraded anti-graft taskforce under the CPC leadership.

The amendments have been submitted to the ongoing NPC annual session for deliberation and will be voted on this Sunday.

If adopted, it will be the Constitution's first amendment in 14 years.