In our country, we have successfully established a robust network of “legal awareness advocates” in every administrative village.
**Strengthening the Foundations of Rule of Law in China**
Recently, a captivating public interest drama titled “Land Acquisition and Demolition in Ancient Villages” was staged during a training session for “legal awareness advocates” in Fuzhou, Jiangxi Province. Over 100 advocates participated, engaging in case analysis and discussions aimed at improving their effectiveness in their communities. Since 2015, local initiatives have centered on developing these advocates, leading to increased legal awareness among residents and fostering positive transformations in rural communities.
These gradual improvements reflect significant progress toward establishing the rule of law in China. The initiative to educate “legal awareness advocates” in rural areas is integrated into the national “Eighth Five-Year Plan” for legal promotion. The successful practices of these advocates are being shared across the nation, achieving nearly complete reach in every administrative village.
President Xi Jinping has emphasized, “The most extensive and profound foundation for comprehensive rule of law is the people; we must always act for the people, rely on the people.” He insists that the construction of the rule of law must benefit and safeguard the populace.
Over the past 75 years since the founding of New China, and especially following the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party, our nation has made historic advancements in building a socialist legal system. Guided by Xi Jinping’s principles on the rule of law, the public’s confidence in legal processes has strengthened, paving the way for socialism with Chinese characteristics in the legal realm and advancing the construction of a rule of law in China.
**Addressing Legal and Emotional Concerns**
Creating an environment where legal processes are respected in disputes and negotiations is essential.
President Xi has proclaimed, “For all types of social conflicts, we must guide the public to resolve issues through legal means, fostering an environment where matters are processed legally, problems are addressed legally, and conflicts are mediated legally.”
In Zhuting Village, Xuanfeng Town, Luxi County, Pingxiang City, residents affectionately refer to “legal awareness advocate” Yang Changshao as “Old Shao.” One villager noted, “Old Shao mediates disputes with such fairness; he truly listens to all sides.”
Peering into Old Shao’s notebook reveals a collection of mediation stories and recent legal updates. He remarked, “Mediation isn’t just about conversation; it involves providing essential legal services to the parties, addressing both legal and emotional issues.”
Recently, a clear liability in a traffic accident resulted in a court dispute over compensation. Yang Changshao was involved in the pre-trial mediation, meticulously reviewing the law and calculating potential payments. “The compensation calculation we arrive at, based on law and regulations, will hold up anywhere,” he assured the parties involved. After consulting with a lawyer, they ultimately contacted him again, prepared to accept the mediation offer and withdraw their lawsuit.
In Zhuting Village, residents gather around Old Shao to learn about legal concepts and hear his legal stories. Today, legal compliance is the new norm, with every household adhering to the law. The village has even been recognized as a “National Demonstration Village for Democracy and Rule of Law.”
In Luxi County, whether dealing with a traffic incident, economic disagreement, or neighborhood dispute, residents can turn to their “legal awareness advocate” for guidance. Through discussions on laws, reasoning, and personal connections, successful mediations can often replace the need for court interventions.
To date, China has cultivated over 4.2 million “legal awareness advocates,” who are spreading the principles of the rule of law at the grassroots level. Legal awareness and compliance are steadily increasing within society, creating a consensus that legal avenues should be pursued to resolve issues and mediate disputes.
The crux of the rule of law lies with the people. In 2024-2025, the Ministry of Justice plans to implement a nationwide initiative featuring “One Village (Community) Legal Consultant + N Legal Awareness Advocates,” deepening the integration of the rule of law in rural areas and reinforcing the foundation of governance in China.
The head of the Ministry of Justice’s Publicity and Law Governance Department stated, “Developing the rule of law requires the involvement of all members of society; only when everyone believes in and practices the law can the nation and society truly operate within its framework.”
**Becoming Effective Advocates in Grassroots Governance**
Promoting the spirit of socialist rule of law and enhancing public legal awareness are crucial for solidifying the legal foundation of the nation.
Advancing comprehensive rule of law necessitates attention to grassroots efforts where the primary focus lies.
President Xi has stressed that “the rule of law is a prerequisite and guarantee for village governance” and that “social governance must be integrated into the overall strategy of comprehensive rule of law, enhancing legal awareness while also promoting virtue to better guide and regulate social life.”
Early in the morning, Liu Wei, a “legal awareness advocate” from Wuli Village, Zhuqiao Town, Huai’an District, Jiangsu Province, visited the party secretary’s office to remind about timely public disclosure of village affairs.
In Wuli Village, “legal awareness advocates” attend village committee meetings and resident conferences, offering insights on key decisions while educating villagers on legal regulations to protect their rights.
One villager shared, “Through learning the law, I’ve realized that violence won’t solve problems. It’s the law that can truly help!”
In Zhuqiao Town, these advocates utilize their legal knowledge through democratic forums such as the “Citizen Advisory Council,” “Village Resident Council,” and “Courtyard Council” to continuously improve community governance while striving for social harmony.
Legal governance is widely recognized as the most reliable and stable method. An official from the Ministry remarked, “We need to enhance public legal education, promote the spirit of socialist rule of law, and boost public awareness of legal rights to reinforce the foundation for governing the nation through law.”
In the Qianxinan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou Province, the community of Xuehuahu in Zhonghe Town has established a team of “legal awareness advocates.” They conduct legal seminars, provide consultations, and guide residents on how to engage in community management through legal means, actively fostering a shared governance model.
In Shandong Province’s Zhangqiao District, Shanjianxi Village has implemented the “Grid + Rule of Law” management approach. They organize initiatives like “Legal Awareness Alongside Rural Revitalization” and “Law into Families, Law into Villages,” integrating various legal stakeholders such as police, judges, lawyers, and mediators into community grids to ensure the rule of law takes root locally.
In Huainan City, Anhui Province, advocates interact with villagers to understand their needs, actively participate in drafting village regulations, and contribute to building a civilized rural atmosphere. They continually enhance community governance to improve residents’ sense of fulfillment, happiness, and security.
Across the nation, “legal awareness advocates” are emerging as champions of public education and diverse contributors to local governance, diligently cultivating a fertile ground for the rule of law and crafting compelling narratives of grassroots social governance—an essential element of “governance in China.”
**Cultivating Strong Leadership Dynamics**
Encouraging more legal professionals to focus on guidance and mediation transforms belief in and practice of law into a communal effort.
President Xi remarked, “To comprehensively advance the rule of law, we must build a team loyal to the Party, the state, the people, and the law.”
Zhao Jianping, Party Branch Secretary of Niudian Community in Dingzhou, Hebei Province, has been expanding his legal knowledge through self-study and training since becoming a “legal awareness advocate.” When complexities arise, residents often turn to Zhao for his legal insights. He believes that by grooming community leaders as “legal awareness advocates,” conflicts can be resolved at the grassroots level before they escalate to the courts.
“The more pronounced the ‘leading goose effect’ among our village community leaders in upholding and learning the law, the stronger the public’s awareness of their legal rights will become, fostering a positive cycle of leadership,” explained a representative from the Ministry’s Publicity and Law Governance Department. Regions are adjusting their personnel structures to train committee members as “legal awareness advocates,” with projections indicating that by 2027, the total number of advocates nationwide could reach around five million, with an increase in their representation among local committees.
In recent years, various regions have intensified efforts to direct more legal expertise toward guidance and mediation, exploring tailored strategies for nurturing “legal awareness advocates” and expanding their influence across a broader spectrum, promoting collective action toward legal belief and enforcement among the populace.
From rural areas to urban communities, there is a continued effort to expand outreach and address genuine legal needs at the grassroots level. In Tongren City, Guizhou Province, individuals from enterprises, legal educators, and community leaders are being integrated into the pool of “legal awareness advocate” training candidates.
From offline initiatives to online engagement, there’s a heightened focus on involving new workers in addressing the public’s legal education needs. In Yunnan Province, “legal awareness advocates” are being sourced from delivery workers and others in the gig economy to facilitate volunteer legal education initiatives, bringing community members together in legal practices.
With a people-centered approach and steadfast adherence to the law, we are on a path forward under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, with Xi Jinping at its core, ensuring sustained progress toward the socialist rule of law, providing robust support for the comprehensive enhancement of national strength and the rejuvenation of our nation.
