Legislation Law

FEATURED COVERAGE

NPC 2023: Amendments to China’s “Statutory Constitution” of Lawmaking

China’s top legislature, the National People’s Congress, has passed a bill requiring constitutional review of draft laws and authorizing emergency lawmaking.

Legislation Law of the People’s Republic of China
中华人民共和国立法法

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

(adopted Mar. 15, 2000, effective July 1, 2000; amended and effective Mar. 15, 2015; amended Mar. 13, 2023, effective Mar. 15, 2023)

• Status: Amendment passed
• Legislative Body (Vote): NPC (2924–12–11)
• Principal Drafter: NPCSC Legislative Affairs Commission
• Initial Submitter: Council of Chairpersons
• Legislative Plans
  • Five-year: 14^th NPCSC Category I
  • Annual: 2022, 2023
• Legislative History & Text
  • NPC deliberation – final round: Mar. 5 – 13, 2023 (Chinese · Δ | English · Δ)
  • NPCSC deliberation – round #2: Dec. 27 – 30, 2022 (Chinese · Δ | English Δ) 💬
    • Public consultation: Dec. 30, 2022 – Jan. 28, 2023
  • NPCSC deliberation – round #1: Oct. 26 – 30, 2022 (Chinese · Δ | English Δ) 💬
    • Public consultation: Oct. 31 – Nov. 29, 2022
• Legislative Records
  • NPCSC Stage
    • Explanation (Oct. 27, 2022)
    • Report on Status of Revision (Dec. 27, 2022)
  • NPC Stage
    • Explanation (Mar. 5, 2023)
    • Report on Results of Deliberation (Mar. 8, 2023)
    • Report on Suggestions for Revision (Mar. 9, 2023)
    • Presidential Order (Mar. 13, 2023)

NPC Observer Coverage

• NPC 2023: Amendments to China’s “Statutory Constitution” of Lawmaking (Feb. 28, 2023)
• Constitutional Review in Lawmaking and Emergency Legislation: A First Look at Draft Amendments to China’s Legislation Law (Nov. 8, 2022)
• NPCSC Session Watch: Women’s Rights, Accessibility, Administrative & Lawmaking Reforms, Military Reservists & More (Oct. 13, 2022)

Last updated: August 12, 2025, 20:11 EDT