China's legal system: a work in progress that demands respect

The annual National People's Congress (NPC) delegation always attracts an incredible amount of attention in the PRC, and generates a multitude of headlines in local and regional media. This year's Congress was no exception, coming at a time when much attention is already focused on the country's international presence as well as its domestic development.

One comment of particular interest to legal practitioners was made by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC's Standing Committee. According to the China Daily, Wu said the top legislature would “ensure the goal of formulating a socialist legal system with Chinese characteristics be achieved by the end of this year as scheduled” – that goal being the NPC's “bounden duty” and “primary task” in 2010.