Efforts to explain, popularize Civil Code to be stepped up

Chinese law professionals and judicial departments will intensify efforts in explaining and popularizing the country's first Civil Code through various means in following months of this year to ensure a better enforcement of the fundamental law, according to members of the China Law Society.

Given that there is about a seven-month preparation period from the promulgation to implementing the code, which was adopted at the end of May and will take effect in January 2021, "the legislature will clear up laws, regulations and relevant state provisions that are inconsistent with the code and make necessary explanations to timely clarify the code's application," said Zhang Wenxian, chairman of the society's Academic Committee.

He released the information at a briefing meeting held by the State Council Information Office on Friday, noting judicial organs and government agencies will also promptly improve relevant interpretations and review administrative rules to make them consistent with the code during the period.

He highlighted the significance of popularizing the code to the public, adding they will join hands with other authorities to enhance people's legal awareness as well as to guide them to use the code to solve disputes and protect their rights.

As a major law-related academic organization, the society will not only provide suggestions for and participate in making and improving judicial interpretations relating to the code, but also further study civil hot issues by holding seminars or lectures to answer the public concerns, he said.

"Meanwhile, we'll organize volunteers to introduce and explain the code in schools, factories and villages to help more residents understand the law," he said, adding they will also publish some code-related articles with cases via its official magazine and online platforms.

The code, a fundamental and comprehensive civil law that refines rules for protecting civil rights and remedying their infringement, is the first law called a "code" since the People's Republic of China was founded, and it is regarded as a milestone legislation in advancing the rule of law and improving the socialist system of law with Chinese characteristics.

The code consists of general provisions, which clarify basic civil rights, duties and principles, and six individual sections on property, contracts, personality rights, marriage and family, inheritance and torts.

When the code, as an encyclopedia for social activities and a key instrument to safeguard people's rights, takes effect next year, some existing civil laws, including those on marriage, inheritance, contract and property, will be abolished.

Under this circumstance, judicial interpretations relating to the laws ready to be abolished will also face a cleanup or improvement, according to Sun Xianzhong, another member of the society's Academic Committee.

He said the Supreme People's Court, the country's top court, has begun revising or cleaning up the interpretations, such as those on property and marriage.

"The life of the law is in its implementation, and so is its authority," Zhang said, adding more efforts will be paid in guaranteeing the enforcement of the code within this year.