4 December 1982

China's "82 Constitution" passed by National People's Congress

On December 4, 1982, China's current constitution, the "82 Constitution," was adopted by a vote at the National People's Congress.

China has had a total of four constitutions to date. Before the "82 Constitution", the constitution formulated in 1954 was the first constitution established after the founding of New China.

As for the constitutions formulated in 1975 and 1978, the former being a product of the Cultural Revolution and full of erroneous viewpoints, while the latter was greatly influenced by the shadow of the Cultural Revolution.

The revision and discussion of the "82 Constitution" were personally guided by Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平) and lasted for a total of two years.

It can be broadly divided into three stages: the proposal of the constitutional amendment draft, nationwide discussion, and deliberation and adoption by the National People's Congress.

The "82 Constitution" is closely related to China's Reform and Opening-up process, featuring clear characteristics of a "reform constitution".

These include placing the "basic rights and obligations of citizens" before "state institutions," indicating that state power originates from the people's mandate and authorisation; restoring the post of state president; for the first time, including the nature, status, and role of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) in the constitution; reinstating the principle of "equality before the law"; recognising the essential nature of state-owned, collective, and individual economies, among others.

Additionally, the "82 Constitution" changed the system of integration of government and commune in rural areas by establishing township governments as grassroots administrations and universally forming villagers' committees as mass self-governing organisations, which is conducive to strengthening rural grassroots government construction and developing the collective economy.

Mao Dun Literature Prize

6 December 1982

China's first Mao Dun Literature Prize announced

2024-12-05
Lushan

5 December 1996

China's Mount Lu listed as World Heritage Site

2024-12-04
The China-Laos Railway was fully opened.

3 December 2021

China–Laos Railway fully opened

2024-12-02
Peking Man

2 December 1929

Peking Man's complete hominid skull unearthed

2024-12-01
Contemporary China - Today in History - Central Government Approves the Establishment of Kashgar Economic Development Zone in Xinjiang

19 May 2010

Xinjiang's Kashgar Economic Development Zone approved for establishment

2025-05-18
Kunqu Opera

18 May 2001

China's Kunqu Opera selected as "Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity"

2025-05-17
Contemporary China - Today in History - Jidihao

17 May 1987

China's first polar research vessel successfully completed its mission

2025-05-16
Contemporary China - On This Day - Dongfeng Sedan

12 May 1958

The first "Dongfeng" brand domestically produced sedan rolled off the production line

2025-05-11
Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth

11 May 1978

The article "Practice is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth" was published

2025-05-10
Contemporary China - On This Day in History - High-Tech Industry

10 May 1988

China's first high-tech industry development experimental zone officially established

2025-05-09
Qinshan Nuclear Power Plant

3 May 2004

China's first large-scale commercial nuclear power plant put into operation

2025-05-02
WeChat
We use cookies to deliver our services and to provide you with a personalised experience. By using our services, you need to agree to our Privacy Policy.
Agree and close