Aristotle once stated, "The rule of law is better than that of any individual." The essential characteristics of the rule of law are: the supremacy of the law, in the sense that both the government and individuals are subject to the law; a concept of justice that emphasizes interpersonal judgment, based on the importance of standards and procedures; restrictions on the discretion and exercise of legislative power by the executive; independent judiciary, judicial precedents and common law methodology; prospective and not retrospective legislation; and the moral basis underlying the law. (Cooray) In China, the judicial system has been based on the rule “of” law, also known as “rule by men” instead of the rule “by” law. In other words, the law has been an instrument of the government, which places itself above the law instead of the law being supreme. The goal of the laws here is to protect the interests of the state, not the individual, and to maintain strict social control. China's leaders are beginning to realize that establishing the “rule of law” is critical to the country's ability to sustain its rapid economic growth. Lack of legal knowledge and transparency, complex judicial and legislative system, and deep-rooted cultural barriers in society are just some of the main reasons responsible for inadequate rule of law in China. Due to the lack of a rule of law tradition and the Chinese Communist Party's rejection of the type of liberal-democratic government associated with it, its establishment faces multiple challenges. Understanding the importance of modernizing Chinese culture had a political and economic leverage effect, substantially increasing reform progress toward the use of the rule of law. As the world's oldest and greatest civilization continues... middle of paper... ...responsibility of the Chinese police." Policing -Bradford- 20, no. 1: 113-135. British Library DocumentSupply Center Inside Serials & Conference Proceedings , EBSCOhost (accessed March 25, 2012). Wong, Kam C. 2009. Chinese Policing: History and Reform New York: Peter Lang. Wong, Kam C. 2011. “Police Accountability Reform.” Police legitimacy and police law reform in China: Part I." International Journal Of Police Science & Management 6, No. 4: 199-218, EBSCOhost (accessed 25 March 2012). Wong, Kam. C. 2005 "The Police Legitimacy Crisis and Police Law Reform in China: Part II International Journal of Police Science & Management 7, no. 1:1-14. Academic SearchComplete, EBSCOhost (accessed March 25, 2012).