Published : 2024-09-20

On September 20, 1954, the first Constitution of People's Republic of China was declared.

This "1954 Constitution"(五四憲法) from drafting to its approval by the first meeting of the first National People's Congress took a total of 8 months and 12 days.

In terms of content and structure, it has five major features, namely, legally guaranteeing the implementation of the general line during the transition period, legally guaranteeing the democratization of the country, legally strengthening the unity of all ethnic groups, being the development of the 1949 "The Common Programme"(共同綱領), and striving for simplicity and clarity in structure and language, making it easy to understand.

The "1954 Constitution" originally originated from a draft by Chen Boda(陳伯達). After being rejected, starting from January 9, 1954, the constitution drafting group led by Mao Zedong(毛澤東) started re-drafting in Hangzhou. The group members included Hu Qiaomu(胡喬木), Chen Boda, and Tian Jiaying(田家英).

On March 23, 1954, Mao Zedong formally presented the "Draft Constitution of the People's Republic of China (Preliminary Draft)" on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party to the Constitution Drafting Committee.

On June 14, 1954, Mao Zedong presided over the 13th meeting of the Central People's Government Committee. After discussion, the meeting unanimously passed the "Draft Constitution of the People's Republic of China," and officially announced it on the same day, submitting it to the people nationwide for discussion and soliciting opinions.

After the "1954 Constitution", with the changes in the political, economic, and social environment, China has repeatedly fully revised the constitution since 1982.

The current version is mainly the "1982 Constitution"(八二憲法), which was reviewed and adopted by the Fifth Session of the Fifth National People's Congress on December 4, 1982.