CHINA LEGAL BRIEFING 65 -March 8 - March 12, 2004
National
Amendments to the Constitution of the People’s Republic of China
[Adopted By] National People’s Congress (NPC)
[Adopted On]
March 14
th 2004
[Subject]
Constitutional Amendments
[Effective From]
March 14
th 2004
[Source]
www.china.org.cn
This is the fourth time that National People’s Congress, the highest organ of State power of the PRC, amends the 1982 Constitution. The previous amend-ments were made respectively in 1988,1993, and 1999.
A total of 31 amendments have been adopted by this Congress, several being innovative. It is the first time that protection of private property is recognized in the Chinese Constitution of 1949. The revised Article 13 reads: "The legitimate private property of citizens is sacred. The State protects the private property and the right of inheritance in accordance with laws. The State may launch expropriation or requisition against private property of citizens, provided that such
