The National People's Congress and its Standing Committee are expected to enhance supervision of the State Council's economic work in a bid to ensure the sustained, rapid and healthy development of China's national economy.

Chen Guangyi, chairman of the Financial and Economic Committee of the NPC Standing Committee, made this remark in his explanation of the draft decision for strengthening the work of economic supervision to the 13th session of the NPC Standing Committee, which opened here this morning.

According to Chen, the NPC and its Standing Committee are enshrined by the Constitution to supervise the work of the State Council, China's cabinet, which also demonstrates that the people are exercising their rights as masters of the state.

"Increasing supervision of economic work facilitates government departments to listen to public opinions, improve efficiency, administer state affairs in accordance with law, and fully implement the Party's lines, principles, and policies," he said.

The chairman noted that under the socialist market economy, plans for the national economy and social development are still regarded as a crucial part in the macroeconomic control of the state, although changes have taken place in the contents and methods of the plans.

Speaking of the state's key projects, Chen said that, in the first place, the State Council must submit bills to the NPC for approval, and the NPC should exercise its right of supervision very carefully and cautiously, as those projects usually involve huge investments and have a wide and profound impact.

The NPC Financial and Economic Committee began outlining the draft decision at the beginning of this year, and has taken into consideration related laws and regulations on economic supervision, and consulted with certain departments of the State Council and committees under the NPC before finally completing the draft decision, Chen said.