BEIJING - Senior Chinese legislator Lu Yongxiang on Saturday called for constant efforts to govern the nation in accordance with the constitution.

Abiding by the constitution and governing the nation in compliance with the constitution are vital to the early materialization of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, said Lu, vice-chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body.

Efforts should be made to study the constitution and further uphold its authoritativeness, Lu said while speaking at a forum on the exercise of the constitution.

China enacted its first constitution in 1954, paving the basis for the country's endeavor to build a country ruled by law.

In 1982, the fifth session of the fifth NPC adopted the present constitution, which was amended four times in 1988, 1993, 1999 and 2004, respectively.

The amendments added the phrases "exercises the rule of law, building a socialist country governed according to law" and "respects and protects human rights" to the constitution.

Saturday's forum was held by the China Law Society to mark the 30th anniversary of the promulgation of the present constitution.