In the past 60 years, China has promulgated two criminal codes; the first in 1979 and the second, replacing the first, in 1997. The Criminal Law of 1979 was the first legislation of its kind to be implemented since the founding of the People’s Republic of China. It set out the framework for penal legislation and laid the foundations for its further development. The Criminal Law of 1997 established a complete and systematic criminal code, in line with modern practice. It is regarded as a milestone in the legislative history of New China and has greatly promoted the rule of criminal law and the rule of law in general.

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