All officials elected or appointed by people's congresses, or legislatures, at all levels and their standing committees above the county level, as well as those appointed by people's governments, courts and prosecutors' offices at all levels, will have to take a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution when assuming office.

The measure, due to take effect on Jan 1, marks an important step toward maintaining the authority of the Constitution and ensuring functionaries abide by it.

The establishment of an oath-taking system at the national level, which will standardize various spontaneous oath-taking activities across the country, will ensure the solemnity and authority of the Constitution. The oath's 70 Chinese characters not only highlight the authority of the Constitution and the responsibility of State functionaries to abide it, but also instill the spirit of the Constitution in professional values and ethics for public servants.

Sociologists believe that oath-taking is a way of enhancing a pledge-taker's innermost belief. According to statistics, of the 193 countries in the world that have written constitutions, 177 have established an oath-taking ritual for their functionaries.

To take an oath on the Constitution is an important way to promote the rule of law.

As a new content of the country's political life, full preparations should be made before the practice is rolled out across the nation, including choosing a suitable venue, and inviting attendees, as a solemn ceremony will help purify pledge-takers' souls and elevate their spiritual realm. At the same time, the authorities should be vigilant that such kind of oath-taking should not be reduced to just a formalist routine.

The above is an abridgement of a Guangming Daily article published on Tuesday.