The legal system of the People's Republic of China has seen significant changes since legal reforms began in 1978. At the end of the second decade of legal reform, law-making and institution-building have reached impressive levels. Understanding the operation and possible futures of law in the People's Republic of China requires an appreciation of the normative influences on the system, as well as an examination of how these norms have worked in practice.;This text analyzes the major features of the Chinese legal system, on the eve of its accession to the World Trade Organisation and should be of interest to students and academics in the field of Chinese law.