New judges take oath to support Constitution
Newly-appointed judges took a solemn oath to uphold the Constitution and rule of law at a ceremony held at the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) on January 13.
SPC President Zhou Qiang, China’s top judge, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech.
He called on all new judges to bear in mind their oaths, missions and responsibilities and treasure the power the Party and the people have given them.
Judges should always adhere to the Constitution and hold a firm belief in the rule of law thereby contributing to China’s legal development, Zhou said.
The oath-taking ceremony was held according to rules issued by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, with the aim of upholding the dignity of the Constitution and carrying on its spirit, as well as encouraging and educating new judges to be loyal to the Constitution, obey it and safeguard it so as to enhance their sense of mission, responsibility and honor.
Zhou urged the judges to practice professional ethics to help maintain a clean and fair judicial system, serve the people and uphold justice. All judges should pursue life-long studies and try to become expert in their own field, he said.
He also encouraged them to take advantage of up-to-date technology and new media to improve efficiency and promote judicial openness to help China realize a “sunshine” judicature.
