Chinese Legislature Adopts Two Revised LawsThe Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) adopted here Wednesday two revised laws -- on pharmaceuticals administration and regional autonomy of ethnic minorities, respectively.Li Peng, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided at Wednesday's concluding meeting of the 20th session of the 9th NPC Standing Committee. The revised Pharmaceuticals Administration Law stipulate that officials and professionals who seek illegal profits or "kickbacks " from the selling of medicines should be punished, or even charged with criminal conviction. The revised Law on Regional Autonomy of Ethnic Minorities have added some provisions concerning preferential treatment for ethnic minorities in such fields as investment, finance policy and employment. The meeting ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which China signed in October 1997. The meeting also approved certain appointments: Li Rongrong and Xu Guanhua were appointed minister in charge of the State Economic and Trade Commission and minister of science and technology, respectively. In his concluding speech, Li Peng said that governments at various levels should exert more efforts for the enforcement of laws, calling upon the lawmakers to make more contributions during the upcoming 4th annual session of the 9th NPC. The lawmakers also held a panel discussion on the draft work report of the NPC Standing Committee, which was also attended by Li Peng. |
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