SHENZHEN is atop the list of a rule-of-law review of the municipal governments of 100 cities in China at the prefecture level or above with a total score of 790.13, according to a report released by the School of Law-Based Government of China University of Political Science and Law.

A sound legal system is essential for building a fair, transparent and predictable business environment, said the report. Shenzhen has been firmly promoting the construction of a law-based government, especially in terms of legislation, law enforcement and public legal services.

Shenzhen has explored and created many firsts in policymaking, such as land use rights, stock trading, foreign-related economic contract management, mortgage loans for financial institutions and residential property management. These practices were later promoted across the country.

Shenzhen was granted legislative power as a special economic zone 26 years ago. As of 2017, Shenzhen has enacted a total of 220 laws and regulations, of which 105 were piloted by the city itself.

Additionally, of the 105 piloted laws and regulations, 41 were promulgated earlier than national laws and administrative regulations, and 64 filled gaps in national legislation.

In 2017, the Shenzhen Municipal Government submitted 23 draft laws and regulations in key areas, such as culture, education, medicine and health care, environmental protection and public utilities, to the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Congress to review and solicit public opinion.

The city government enacted eight new regulations, revised six and abolished one last year. Meanwhile, it also set up a government legislative liaison office to broaden the channels for public participation in legislation and improve the quality of draft laws and regulations.

In terms of specific laws and regulations, Shenzhen has also laid out rules on government-subsidized housing, joint stock partnership and intellectual property protection and rolled out the country’s first local regulations on police aides.

Also of note, Shenzhen has initiated the country’s first administrative trial center, in a bid to promote the construction of a law-based government through centralized jurisdiction of administrative litigation.

With regards to public legal services, the city is also committed to providing a one-stop service platform for residents that covers legal aid, mediation, lawyer and notarization services, judicial appraisal and more.

(Zhang Yu)