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Draft Law Stresses Environmental Protection
The draft amendment to China's 14-year-old Fishery Law, which was deliberated by top Chinese legislators Tuesday, emphasizes the protection of the ecological environment in China's waters and bans the pollution of fishery resources.
Legislators attending the 18th Session of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress also discussed amendments to the Extradition Law.
The draft amendment to the Fishery Law, which was proposed by the State Council to the session for the third reading, seeks to have China's fishery resources managed to international standards.
Compared with the second draft of the law, the new draft states the management of fisheries should emphasize the protection of the marine environment and scientifically define breeding densities.
On the use of bait, feed and pesticides in breeding, the draft states "no poisonous or harmful bait or feed should be used in breeding or production.''
Based on the second draft which introduces a quota system to ensure that the nation has an adequate supply of fish, legislator Zhang Haoruo said in Tuesday's panel discussion that the scientific assessment of fishery resources is required.
"We should add specific measures to ensure the implementation of the fishing quota in state jurisdictional waters,'' said Zhang, noting that supervision by the masses will increase the effectiveness of the system.
To maintain the order of fishing harbors, the draft amendment stipulates that the People's Government above county level should strengthen its management of fishing harbors.
"Besides just management, the government should participate in the establishment of fishing harbors,'' said legislator Liang Guangda who comes from Guangdong Province.
A draft on the Extradition Law was also submitted to the Ninth NPC Standing Committee for a second reading Tuesday.
The new legislation seeks to legalize the country's extradition actions and enhance its international judicial co-operation in fighting crime.
Compared to the original draft, the new draft law introduces a "no extradition for political crimes,'' clause, an internationally accepted practice, to replace the original "no extradition for political misconduct'' clause.
The revision aims at conforming to the commitments China has made in extradition treaties with various foreign countries.
Since 1993, China has signed extradition treaties with 11 countries and international treaties, that include extradition clauses such as the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft (the Hague Convention), NPC sources said.
According to the draft law, extradition actions between China and foreign countries should be conducted in accordance with the new extradition law, or the extradition treaties signed between the two countries involved except the articles China claims to reserve.
(www.chinadaily.com.cn)
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