China's top legislature concludes standing committee session

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, April 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

BEIJING, April 26 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) concluded its second session Wednesday in Beijing.

At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt a revised Counter-Espionage Law and a law on ecological conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

President Xi Jinping signed two presidential orders to promulgate the laws.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.

Lawmakers also voted to adopt a set of revised codes of conduct for the chairperson, vice chairpersons, the secretary-general, and members of the NPC Standing Committee, a list for the chairperson, vice chairpersons, and members of the credentials committee of the NPC Standing Committee, among other bills.

Addressing the meeting, Zhao said the revised Counter-Espionage Law adopted at the session is significant to strengthening the country's ability to safeguard national security and improving the legal system for national security.

He said the law on ecological conservation on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau passed at this session is a special law to conserve ecological environment of a particular region, marking a new achievement in China's construction of the legal system for ecological and environmental preservation.

The newly revised codes of conduct for the chairperson, vice chairpersons, the secretary-general, and members of the NPC Standing Committee raise new requirements for them with regard to political awareness, theoretical competence, ability, and conduct, Zhao said.

The session also heard reports from the State Council on the state of the environment and the fulfillment of environmental protection targets for 2022, and on work related to overseas Chinese in the new era, and reviewed a draft law on the construction of a barrier-free environment for its second reading, he added.

Zhao stressed that carrying out investigation and research, and seeking advice from the people, is part of people's congresses' endeavors to perform their duties in accordance with the law, which will better reflect and ensure that it is the people who run the country.

Zhao called on the NPC and its Standing Committee to place more emphasis on investigation and research, and carry out investigation and research with a focus on the guiding principles of the Party's 20th National Congress and the key tasks of the NPC Standing Committee.

Zhao called for combining investigation and research with implementing the new development philosophy, building a new development pattern, promoting high-quality development, as well as quality legislation and supervision.

He also urged efforts to make investigation and research more science-based and effective, improve conduct in work, go to the grassroots, and respond to people's expectations.

Zhao also chaired a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee before the closing meeting.