BEIJING - Newly qualified lawyers in China must swear their loyalty to the country and the public, sources with the Ministry of Justice said Wednesday.

According to the ministry, a person who obtains a lawyer's practice certificate or regains the certificate should take the oath within three months after the date of getting the certificate.

The oath includes upholding social justice, promoting righteousness, maintaining Chinese constitution and laws, and striving for the cause of socialism.

Moreover, according to the sources, the ministry has named institutions which organize the ceremonies as well as the time and ways in which a lawyer must take the vows.

In September 2010, the general offices of both the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council said that oath-taking ceremonies would be an important step to further promote lawyers' integrity.

Early in 2000, the All China Lawyers Association proposed to hold oath-taking ceremonies for lawyers, but the proposal did not become reality.