Criminal Procedure Law

Criminal Procedure Law of the People’s Republic of China
中华人民共和国刑事诉讼法

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

(adopted July 1, 1979, effective Jan. 1, 1980; amended Mar. 17, 1996, effective Jan. 1, 1997; amended Mar. 14, 2012, effective Jan. 1, 2013; amended and effective Oct. 26, 2018)

  • Status: Modification planned
  • Legislative Body (Vote): NPCSC (TBD)
  • Principal Drafter: NPCSC Legislative Affairs Commission
  • Designated Submitter: Council of Chairpersons
  • Legislative Plans
    • Five-year: 14th NPCSC Category I
    • Annual: N/A
  • Legislative History & Text
    • NPCSC deliberation – round #1: TBD
  • Legislative Records
    • Explanation (pending)
    • Report on Status of Revision (pending)
    • Report on Results of Deliberation (pending)
    • Report on Suggestions for Revision (pending)
    • Presidential Order (pending)

Prior Bill: 2025 Interpretation

Editor’s Note: This Interpretation clarifies that, for purposes of trial in absentia, “other methods [of service] permitted by the law of the defendant’s location” means “all methods of service prescribed, recognized, approved, or accepted by the statutes, caselaw, custom, or judicial practice of the defendant’s location, including but not limited to service by mail, publication, public posting, or electronic means.” For all legislative interpretations of this Law, pleas see this page.

  • Status: Interpretation passed
  • Interpretive Body (Vote): NPCSC (N/A)
  • Requester: Council of Chairpersons
  • Drafter: NPCSC Legislative Affairs Commission
  • Provisions Interpreted: Article 292
  • Legislative History & Text
    • NPCSC deliberation – only round: Dec. 22–27, 2022 (Chinese only)
  • Legislative Records
    • Explanation (pending)
    • Report on Results of Deliberation (pending)

PRIOR BILL: 2018 Amendment

NPC Observer Coverage

Last updated: December 30, 2025, 17:22 EST