BEIJING -- Chinese Minister of Justice Fu Zhenghua told lawyers to safeguard the authority of the Constitution and follow the Party's leadership, according to the People's Daily published Friday.

Fu told lawyers at a meeting held Thursday to "be firm guardians, loyal followers and active advocates of the socialist rule of law," said the newspaper.

The All China Lawyers Association has asked its local branches to organize lawyers who also serve as deputies to the National People's Congress (NPC) or political advisors to promote and raise awareness of the Constitution.

The Constitution was revised at the annual NPC session earlier this month.