党的十五大报告明确揭示了“依法治国”的内涵，强调指出：“依法治国，就是广大人民群众在党的领导下，依照宪法和法律规定，通过各种途径和形式，管理社会事务，保证国家各项工作都依法进行，逐步实现社会主义民主的制度化、法律化，使这种制度和法律不因领导人的改变而改变 The report of the 15th National Congress of the Communist Party of China clearly revealed the connotation of “governing the country according to law” and emphasized: "Ruling the country by law means that under the leadership of the party, the masses of the people, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and laws, manage social affairs through various channels and forms, Ensure that all work in the country is conducted according to law and gradually institutionalize and legalize socialist democracy so that such institutions and laws will not be changed by the change of leaders