China is considering amendments to its Criminal Law that will provide tougher punishment for illegal logging.
The Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislative body, met in Beijing Wednesday to debate on the proposed amendments to Articles 342 and 410 of the criminal law.
Legislators at the meeting agreed that the proposed amendments are necessary and will have a positive effect on promoting the cause of environmental protection and sustainable development.
Li Peng, president of the Standing Committee of the Ninth NPC, attended Wednesday's meeting.