All government employees will have to pledge allegiance to the Constitution when taking up their posts, according to a decree by China's top legislature on Wednesday.

All officials elected or appointed by people's congresses at all levels and standing committees above the county level, as well as State functionaries at any level appointed by the governments and judicial organs will have to take a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution before assuming office. State functionaries are required to have constitutional awareness, observe constitutional principles, uphold the constitutional spirit and perform their constitutional obligations.

When State functionaries read the oath, the right hand should be raised and formed into a fist, and the national flag or emblem should be hung in the hall where the ceremony is held. The oath reads: "I pledge allegiance to the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, to safeguard the Constitution's authority, perform the obligations bestowed on me by law, be loyal to the country and the people, be committed and honest when performing my duties, accept the people's supervision and work hard to build a socialist country that is prosperous, strong, democratic, culturally advanced, and harmonious."