NPC Standing Committee Makes Headway in Legislation

The Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC), has improved legislative procedures and supervision over government and judicial organizations in the second term of office.

The NPC has heard 30 draft laws and adopted 19 of them after the NPC plenum in March last year fulfilling its legislative plan for 1999.

Some of the new laws are crucial for the development of the market economy, the protection of human rights and maintaining social stability.

The Law on Enterprises under Sole Individual Proprietorship was implemented last year together with laws on corporations and partnership businesses.

Laws on administrative appeals, compensation and supervision have greatly improved supervisory mechanisms in the government.

And the NPC's decision to outlaw, prevent and eliminate cults is of major significance in maintaining social stability in China.

The NPC Standing Committee made amendments to laws concerning income tax, highways tolls and corporate law.

Over the past year, the NPC Standing Committee adopted a decision on tightening its supervision over the central government budget and discussed legislation on the supervision over judicial departments.

The NPC Standing Committee conducted inspections on air pollution prevention laws, forestry, product quality and compulsory education. It also heard and examined reports from the State Council on the living conditions of laid-off workers, relief work in rural areas and the improvement of public security departments.

The NPC Standing Committee had conducted extensive surveys and studies. For example, the chairman of the NPC committee visited several provinces to solicit ideas and suggestions on drafting laws.

Various special committees of the NPC and other departments have also work hard to solicit advice from many experts, scholars and the people while drafting laws.

Standing committees of the people's congresses at provincial and other levels have made concerted efforts to improve the supervision over their departments and take concrete measures to improve morale and enthusiasm of China's three million deputies who work for people's congresses.

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