The standard for rule of law in context of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area is being set by Zhuhai while the city strives to make governance more transparent.

The Bluebook of Rule of Law: Annual Report on Rule of Law in Zhuhai (2020) was released on June 8. In addition to fundamental philosophy, the book summarizes how Zhuhai is adhering to overall leadership of the Communist Party of China, advancing institutional innovation under the rule of law, integrating Hong Kong and Macao elements into social governance, and exploring "Zhuhai practices" in the new era of judicial governance.

Of note, the report makes no attempt to conceal problems existing in the construction of a "sunshine government" that is subject to citizen supervision.

Zhuhai sub-venue of the June 8 release conference as a seminar on the development and prospect of the rule of law in China takes place in Beijing [Photo courtesy Wu Changfu & Wang Yuxin / Zhuhai Media Group]

Furthermore, the 2020 bluebook outlines overall legal work in Zhuhai during the past year and analyses it from the aspects of legislation, judicial safeguards, and construction of the Greater Bay Area. It also addresses the business environment under the rule of law, security, and legalization of grassroots governance.

In 2020, further progress is expected in popularizing forms of law, pioneering reform and innovation against the backdrop of the Greater Bay Area, highlighting boutique strategies in foreign-related civil and commercial trials in alliance with Macao, promoting Hengqin's Property City model, advancing public welfare litigation, and improving supervision of the business environment.

The report was compiled by the Institute of Law of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS). It is unprecedented for a national juristic research institution such as CASS participate in a regional report for a special economic zone. The first edition was published by Social Sciences Academic Press (China) in March 2019.

Lv Yanbin, director of the Investigation Office of National Conditions Under Rule of Law at the Institute of Law of CASS, and Fu Zitang, president of Southwest University of Political Science & Law, both said that Zhuhai's experience is worthy of reference by other domestic cities.

According to Fu, the bluebook presents a regional perspective to observe the development of the rule of law in China, especially the experience produced in the forefront of Reform & Opening Up.