Since the founding of the new China 1949, four Constitutions have been issued - in 1954, 1975, 1978 and 1982.

The current Constitution from 1982 is made up of 138 articles that include a preamble, general principles, fundamental rights and duties of citizens and the structure of the state along with the national flag, national anthem, national emblem and capital.

The 1982 Constitution was amended in 1988, 1993, 1999 and 2004 to better fit the rapid development of China.