BEIJING - Chinese lawmakers are considering removing the death penalty for nine crimes including smuggling weapons and nuclear materials.

The draft amendment to the Criminal Law was submitted on Monday to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for the first reading during the legislature's bi-monthly session which runs from Monday to Saturday.

The nine crimes include smuggling weapons, ammunition, nuclear materials or counterfeit currencies; counterfeiting currencies; raising funds by means of fraud; arranging for or forcing another person to engage in prostitution; obstructing a commander or a person on duty from performing his duties; fabricating rumors to mislead others during wartime, according to the draft amendment.