The PLA and the PAPF maintain their commitment to employing troops and taking action in accordance with the law. Units participating in emergency rescue and disaster relief operations strictly abide by such laws and regulations as the Emergency Response Law of the People's Republic of China, the Law of the People's Republic of China on Protecting Against and Mitigating Earthquake Disasters, and the Regulations on the PLA's Participation in Disaster Rescue. PAPF troops performing stability maintenance and emergency response tasks act in strict conformity with laws and regulations like the Law of the People's Republic of China on the People's Armed Police Force. Naval ships performing escort missions in the Gulf of Aden and in waters off Somalia, as well as those carrying out maritime training, strictly observe international treaties like the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and act in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations of China. Troops participating in joint military exercises with foreign countries act within relevant bilateral or multi-lateral legal frameworks and settle any legal issues arising in the course of such exercises in accordance with the law.
The newly revised common regulations on routine service, discipline and formation have been implemented and incorporated into education, training, inspection and evaluation. Military rules and regulations provide guidance and standards for combat readiness, training, working conditions and daily life. The enforcement of regulations has been strengthened, discipline inspection and supervision mechanisms improved, and breaches of discipline investigated and rectified. Safety rules and regulations have been enforced, safety and preventive mechanisms improved, and education and training on safety conducted.
For the past two years, the armed forces, working with relevant local departments, have conducted inspections of the implementation of such laws and regulations as the Civil Air Defense Law of the People's Republic of China, the Law of the People's Republic of China on Protecting Military Facilities, and the Regulations on Military Uniform Management. In accordance with laws and regulations like the Military Service Law of the People's Republic of China and the Regulations on the Recruitment of Soldiers, military service organs and recruitment staff of the people's governments at all levels have undertaken efforts to supervise and inspect recruitment work. Within the proper bounds of their authority, military departments have conducted special reviews on law-enforcement in their respective fields of military training, equipment procurement, discipline inspection and supervision, and auditing.
Military Judicial System
The PLA continues to uphold the CPC's leadership in its political and legal work, and to improve military judicial work systems. In 2007, the CMC issued the Opinions on Further Strengthening the Political and Legal Work of the Armed Forces, requiring the establishment of political and legal commissions in units at and above regiment level. In 2008, the General Political Department enacted the Regulations on the Work of Political and Legal Commissions at All Levels of the Armed Forces.