 In March 2012 , China 's Ministry of Justice issued a new directive requiring lawyers first obtaining their license or renewing an existing license to swear an oath of loyalty to the Communist Party . According to the Ministry 's website , a section of oath includes the following : “ I swear to faithfully fulfill the sacred mission of legal workers in socialism with Chinese characteristics . I swear my loyalty to the motherland , to the people , to uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China and the socialist system , and to protect the dignity of the Constitution and laws . " 
