 The Chinese Constitution enshrines rule of law , but simultaneously emphasizes the principle of the " leadership of the Communist Party . " The legal profession itself is subordinate to the authority of the Communist Party ; the Ministry of Justice , not the bar associations , is responsible for issuing and renewing lawyers ' licenses . Weiquan lawyers have argued that this structure precludes the emergence of genuine rule of law , and in some cases have advocated for reforms to advance judicial independence and the protection of legal professionals . 
