China's legislature concludes bimonthly session

BEIJING, April 27 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Friday concluded its bimonthly session and passed the law on servicepeople's insurance.

President Hu Jintao signed a presidential decree to promulgate the decision.

The law, the country's first act concerning the welfare of servicepeople and their spouses, defines insurance policies covering death, injury and illness during enlistment, as well as medical insurance and pensions for veterans.

The law exempts service members from paying premiums for their death and injury insurance and provides that premiums will be covered by the state.

Moreover, unemployed spouses of servicepeople who follow their husbands or wives to where they are stationed should join medical insurance and pension programs. The premiums will be paid jointly by themselves and the government, according to the law.

"The law further improves the insurance system for servicepeople, and is of significant importance in encouraging them to fulfil their duties and protecting their legal interests," Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC, said while presiding over the closing meeting.

The session also adopted plans on the quota distribution for the 12th NPC deputy election, allowing around 360 deputies from minority groups.