China's level of the rule of law has seen steady improvement over the past three decades, a parliament spokesman said on Wednesday.

"A socialistic legal system with Chinese characteristics has basically been put into place since the reform and opening up," said Li Zhaoxing, spokesman for the Second Session of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, at a press conference.

By January this year, China has 231 laws in force, more than 600 administrative regulations, and over 7,000 local laws and regulations.

"The judicial and procuratorate work has been improved according to the country's real situations," he said. "People's awareness of law has also been improved."

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2009)