China's top legislator called for efforts on Monday to intensify supervision over governments, courts and procuratorates at all levels in a bid to guarantee lawful administration and judicial honesty. Li Peng, chairman of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (CPC), in session in Beijing since early March, made the call here today when attending group discussions of Shandong and Henan deputies to the NPC. People's congresses at all levels must exercise their right of supervision under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), but they must not actually exercise judicial and prosecuting powers, he said. NPC deputies should play an active role in collecting suggestions for and complaints about governments,courts and procuratorates at all levels, he said. Democratic election for villagers' committees is a good form for grassroots democratic building, Li said, calling for more efforts to safeguard just elections and open village affairs, and encourage villagers to run their own affairs according to law. "Communities in urban areas will play an increasingly important role with further economic and social development and reform. And the NPC Standing Committee will organize inspections on implentation of the organic law concerning neighborhood committees in urban areas, in order that these grassroots organizations can play their role to the most in reform, development and stability," he said. Li urged localities to seize opportunities available at a time when the central government initiated the strategy to develop the western areas, map out feasible development strategies and increase efforts to promote economic growth in less developed areas. |