Administrative Punishments Law

RECOMMENDED ANALYSIS

China’s Revised Administrative Punishments Law: Strengthening Due Process and Implications for Social Credit Enforcement
This memorandum by Jamie P. Horsley, senior fellow at the Paul Tsai China Center, Yale Law School, introduces the Law and highlights its 2021 revision, while also discussing the Law’s relevance to disciplinary measures imposed under China’s social credit system.

Administrative Punishments Law of the People’s Republic of China
中华人民共和国行政处罚法

[Current Text: Chinese | English › NPC; China Law Translate]

(adopted Mar. 17, 1996, effective Oct. 1, 1996; amended and effective Aug. 27, 2009; amended Sept. 1, 2017, effective Jan. 1, 2018; revised Jan. 22, 2021, effective July 15, 2021)

  • Status: Revision passed
  • Legislative Body (Vote): NPCSC (159–0–1)
  • Principal Drafter: NPCSC Legislative Affairs Commission
  • Submitter: Council of Chairpersons
  • Legislative Plans
    • Five-year: 13th NPCSC Category I
    • Annual: 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Legislative History & Text
    • NPCSC deliberation – round #3 (final): Jan. 20–22, 2021 (Current Text ⇧)
    • NPCSC deliberation – round #2: Oct. 13–17, 2020 (Chinese only) 💬
    • NPCSC deliberation – round #1: June 28–30, 2020 (Chinese only) 💬
  • Legislative Records [Gazette 2021(2): 261–279]
    • Explanation (June 28, 2020)
    • Report on Status of Revision (Oct. 13, 2020)
    • Report on Results of Deliberation (Jan. 20, 2021)
    • Report on Suggestions for Revision (Jan. 22, 2021)
    • Presidential Order (Jan. 22, 2021)
  • Press Conference: NPCSC General Office (Jan. 22, 2021)

NPC Observer Coverage

Last updated: August 5, 2025, 21:16 EDT