Editor's note: A commentary published on Friday by People's Daily, the flagship newspaper of the Communist Party of China, stresses the importance of observing laws and Party disciplines, after China's leadership announced a decision on Tuesday to investigate former Party chief of Chongqing municipality Bo Xilai for serious violations of discipline. Excerpts below:

People across the country, including all CPC members, have reached a consensus that everyone should willingly observe the laws and Party disciplines, the article says.

On April 10, the CPC Central Committee decided to investigate Bo Xilai's serious violations of discipline, and police announced the initial results of the reinvestigation into the death of British citizen Neil Heywood, and transferred suspects to the judicial authorities.

These moves have won extensive support from the people.

They are the implementation of the essential principle of being strict with Party disciplines and necessary moves to safeguard the socialist legal system.

Moreover, they show that the CPC, which represents the basic interests of all Chinese people, will not have any privileged Party members who can sidestep laws and Party disciplines.

"Everyone is equal in front of the law. There is no privilege in the system and no exceptions in terms of regulations. Anyone who infringes the laws shall be convicted and punished," the article says.

As a basic rule of a modern society ruled in accordance with the law, all organizations and citizens must strictly abide by the country's laws. The rule of law is the foundation of the governance of the CPC and a critical condition for realizing long-term stability.

In a populous, developing country like China, it is of great significance to promote the rule of law and improve people's awareness of law, so as to maintain social order and protect State interests and civil rights.

In an important period of social transformation and economic restructuring, the country is facing a new situation amid the changes in the administrative system and social structure as well as diversified interests and ideologies.

Only when all citizens observe and honor the law, can the country maintain law and order, create a favorable environment, better settle disputes and realize justice and social harmony.

In addition, it is always the outstanding character, and to the CPC's advantage, that Party organs and members strictly comply with the Party's disciplines, the commentary says.

Observing discipline is a basic requirement for a CPC member. And the top discipline is to follow the Party's political rules, to stand on the same side of the CPC Central Committee, with Hu Jintao as the general secretary, and fully implement their decisions.

The Wang Lijun incident, Heywood's death and Bo's serious discipline violations again warn that a Party official will never be dignified and moral unless he firmly abides by Party disciplines and laws, never forgets who he is, always serves the people and never crosses the line of laws, disciplines and conscience, the article says.

In the face of a complicated situation at home and abroad, bearing a tough task of reform, development and stability, the country will need favorable social order and unity among all people if it wants to take full advantage of this important period of strategic opportunities and fulfill the economic and social development targets set forth in the 12th Five-Year Plan (2011-15), says the commentary.

Only when the awareness of laws is improved and the laws and Party disciplines are observed, can the country and Party improve creativity, unity and strength, create a favorable environment for promoting reform and opening-up and maintaining stability, and lay a solid foundation for new achievements in building a moderately prosperous society in all aspects and advancing the socialist modernization, it says.

Xinhua-China Daily

(China Daily 04/14/2012 page5)