In September 20, 1954, the first session of the first National People's Congress of the people's Republic of China by the first constitution, is the Chinese history the first socialist constitution. It was born, with the constitution to the establishment of our constitutional system, reflects the will and interests of the people. Some of the basic content and the important principle of the Constitution in 1954, laid a solid foundation for the later development of constitution and constitutionalism.

    The "Cultural Revolution" 10 years of chaos, make our country constitutional government was severely damaged. Set in this background of the 1975 constitution, is deeply marked by the "Cultural Revolution" of the brand, "left" tendency is very serious. 1978 years, the large scale revised by the Fifth National People's Congress passed the first meeting, it make a change to the 1975 text of the constitution. Due to the historical conditions at that time constraints, the constitution failed to thoroughly clean the during the "Cultural Revolution" the influence of "left" thought, there are some incorrect political theory concept and does not meet the provisions of the actual situation.

    In order to adapt to the new situation, the reform and opening up in December 4, 1982, the five session of the five National People's Congress adopted a new Chinese fourth constitution, the constitution of 1982, and so far has been in the implementation of the constitution. The basic principles of the constitution of 1982 the inheritance and development of the 1954 Constitution, summarizes the China socialist development experience, and absorb international experience, is a China characteristics, adapt to the needs Chinese fundamental law of socialist modernization construction. It will be the main contents of the four cardinal principles has been written into the Constitution clearly stipulates the fundamental task in the future, the state is to concentrate its efforts on socialist modernization. It stipulates that all citizens are equal before the law. 1982 the constitution has been amended 3 times, every modification on the social and economic development plays an important role in promoting.

    In 1988, a meeting of the seven National People's Congress adopted amendments to the constitution, this is the first time for China to adopt the form of constitutional amendment to amend the constitution. Major revisions to increase provisions, "the state permits the private economy to exist and develop" within the limits prescribed by law, and the relevant provisions be changed to "the right to the use of land may be transferred according to law".

    In 1993, a meeting of the eight National People's Congress adopted amendments to the constitution, will be "the primary stage of socialism" and "socialism with Chinese characteristic theory" and the "reform and opening" formally written into the constitution; to " household contract based responsibility system" instead of "people's communes in socialist market economy", "" instead of "planned economy"; provisions "multi-party cooperation and political consultation system under the leadership of the Communist Party of China will exist and develop for a long time".

    In 1999, the two session of the nine national people's Congress once again passed a constitutional amendment. This is the 15th National Congress of the party as the basis, make appropriate changes to the constitution part: "Deng Xiaoping Theory" written into the preamble to the constitution, principle, and the Marx Lenin Mao Zedong thoughts together, be the guide to China's socialist modernization construction the flag of the people's Republic of China; the rule of law, building a socialist country ruled by law; clear China will in the primary stage of socialism, the basic economic system and distribution system in the primary stage of socialism in China; to modify the rural production and management system; established the position of non-public ownership economy in the socialist market economy; the article twenty-eighth of the constitution "counter revolutionary activities" is amended as "the crime of endangering national security activities". (Li Zhongjie) (PLA Daily in 2004 03 months 08, Ninth Edition)