Abstract: The Central Conference on the Work of Comprehensive Law-based State Governance, while putting forward the concept of “Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law” for the first time, also made a penetrating summary of the basic theoretical characteristics of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law, which revealed the organic unity among the historical logic, theoretical logic and practical logic of the Thought. From the perspective of internal historical logic, Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law is the latest achievement in adapting Marxist theory on the rule of law to the Chinese context, which is the basic theoretical characteristics and the undeniable internal objective historical logic of the Thought. The theoretical sources of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law are very rich, which can be traced to the same origins as those of the socialist theories on the rule of law with Chinese characteristics gradually formed after the Third Plenary Session of the 11th CPC Central Committee. It has not only inherited and developed the traditional Marxist view of law put forward by classic Marxist writers, but also drawn on the systematically elaborated thoughts, concepts and theories on the socialist rule of law that have been brought forward by the several generations of the CPC leading collectives during the process of summing up the experiences and lessons of developing socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. Moreover, it also comprehensively and systematically summarizes and generalizes the theoretical achievements formed in exploring in and perfecting the socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics since the reform and opening-up. The theoretical framework of Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law comprehensively covers the rule of law principles and guidelines for all fields of developing socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics. It is a valuable ideological resource and powerful spiritual force for the healthy and orderly progress of socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics in the new era.

Keywords:Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law; Marxist theories on the rule of law; theories on socialist rule of law with Chinese characteristics; Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in a New Era

The author of this article is a research fellow and the director of CASS Institute of International Law. This article is published in 3 (2021) Journal of China Executive Leadership Academy Jinggangshan.