Draft Amendment to China’s People’s Police Law Released for Public Consultation

Beijing. China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has made public a draft amendment to the People’s Police Law and released it for public consultation.

According to a statement issued by the ministry on Sunday, the objective of the proposed amendment is to safeguard national security and social order, ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the people, and create an environment in which police officers can exercise their duties and powers in accordance with the law.

The currently enforced People’s Police Law was promulgated nearly three decades ago. While it has played an important role in the establishment and strengthening of China’s police system, the ministry noted that changes in international and domestic circumstances, along with new responsibilities and challenges faced by the Chinese police, have made comprehensive revision and refinement of the law necessary.

The draft amendment consists of eight chapters and 103 articles. It provides for essential support systems for police officers and also formally includes Chinese People’s Police Day.

The draft further clarifies and refines provisions related to the duties and powers of police officers under public security organs. In addition, it incorporates new provisions concerning the duties and powers of police personnel under state security organs, judicial bodies, people’s courts, and people’s procuratorates.

Moreover, the draft law introduces provisions for taking action against police officers who fail to perform their duties in accordance with the law or who exercise their powers beyond their legal scope.

The Chinese government has stated that, through public consultation, it will gather diverse suggestions to make the law more effective, accountable, and aligned with contemporary needs.