China's top legislature is to amend a law on returned Overseas Chinese and the family members of overseas Chinese to better protect their rights and interests, said Li Peng, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The legislative body should solicit opinions and suggestions from the broadest cross section of returned Overseas Chinese and the family members of overseas China for a better law, Li told an NPC legislation meeting.

There are over 30 million overseas Chinese all over the world, and a roughly equal number of returned overseas Chinese and family members of overseas China. All of them have played an very important role in China's economic reform, open-up and modernization drive, Li noted.

"We should improve our work to better protect their legitimate rights and interests, which will greatly help the country's reform and opening drive and reunification cause," he said.

The Law on the Protection of the Rights and Interests of Returned Overseas Chinese and the Family Members of Overseas Chinese was adopted in 1990. However, necessary amendments should be made to suit the new situation today, Li said.

A draft of amendments to the law discussed at today's meeting held by the NPC's Overseas Chinese Affairs Committee has undergone two revisions based on public opinion and suggestions from related departments and special interest groups.

One of the most important changes to the law is the addition of punishment on government organizations, individuals and other social organizations for infringements of the legitimate rights and interests of returned overseas Chinese and the family members of overseas Chinese.

The draft amendments also specify procedures for the handling of disputes that may arise once the amended law is implemented.