Annotation

Contemporary China has emerged as an economically advanced state with a distinctive legal system that enables it to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging challenges and threats across various spheres of social life. The legal framework of the People’s Republic of China comprises just over 300 national laws, the majority of which pertain to administrative (96) and economic (88) domains. These statutes are typically framed in broad, general terms, with detailed regulation delegated primarily to subordinate legislation and local authorities. Notably, some legislative acts are adopted on an experimental or provisional basis—yet many remain in force for decades. In recent years, Chinese lawmakers have embarked on a process of codification in civil and environmental law. The Civil Code, enacted in May 2020, marked a historic milestone as the PRC’s first comprehensive codified instrument in private law. A similar landmark is expected in public law with the adoption of an Environmental Code in 2026, potentially followed by the codification of tax law. Moreover, China has enacted several laws without direct counterparts in Russia or other Eurasian jurisdictions. Among the most notable are the Law on Food Waste, Patriotic Education Law, the Law on Publicity and Education on the Rule of Law., and Private Sector Promotion Law — each reflecting unique policy priorities and governance approaches. The content and structure of these statutes underscore the existence of a distinct “socialist rule-of-law system with Chinese characteristics.” Understanding the core features of this legal model holds significant theoretical and practical value for Russian legal scholarship and comparative legal studies.