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 sixth session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2023. The 14th NPC Standing Committee concluded its sixth session on Tuesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its sixth session on Tuesday in Beijing.

At the closing meeting, lawmakers voted to adopt a revised Marine Environment Protection Law, the Patriotic Education Law, and a decision on official appointments and removals.

Li Shangfu was removed from the posts of state councilor and defense minister, Qin Gang from the post of state councilor, Wang Zhigang from the post of minister of science and technology, and Liu Kun from the post of finance minister, according to the decision.

Yin Hejun was appointed as minister of science and technology and Lan Fo'an was appointed finance minister, according to the decision.

President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders to promulgate the laws and effectuate the decision.

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

Lawmakers adopted a decision for the State Council to increase the issuance of government bonds and adjust the central budgets for 2023, and a decision to authorize the State Council to approve in advance the ceilings on some newly-incurred local government debts.

Lawmakers ratified a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons between China and Colombia and an extradition treaty with Mauritius.

They ratified the Protocol against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Their Parts and Components and Ammunition, supplementing the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

The lawmakers ratified the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Secretariat, its Personnel and Representatives of Members of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia.

They also approved the country's signing of the Convention on the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation.

The meeting approved reports on the deliberation of the proposals brought forward by NPC deputies at the first session of the 14th NPC.

The meeting voted to remove Li Shangfu from the post of member of the Central Military Commission and appoint Liu Shaoyun as head of the military court of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

The lawmakers also adopted other personnel-related bills.

Zhao presided over a lecture for lawmakers after the meeting.

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the closing meeting of the sixth session of the 14th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 24, 2023. The 14th NPC Standing Committee concluded its sixth session on Tuesday in Beijing. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)