Zhang Dejiang (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the closing meeting of the 18th bimonthly meeting of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, on Dec. 27, 2015. (Photo: Xinhua/Ding Lin)
Chinese lawmakers on Sunday adopted a basket of laws and law amendments, including one on fighting terrorism and another to allow all couples to have two children.
The much anticipated counter-terrorism law proposed a national leading organ for counter-terrorism work while envisioning a national intelligence center to coordinate inter-departmental efforts on counter-terrorism intelligence and information.
It also requires tech firms to assist security authorities to prevent and investigate terrorism.
Li Shouwei, with the legislative affairs commission under with the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said the law will not affect companies' normal business nor install backdoors to infringe intellectual property rights and freedom of speech.
The rule accorded with the actual work needed to fight terrorism and was basically the same as other major countries, he said.
Meanwhile, lawmakers passed a historic decision to amend the Law on Population and Family Planning to allow all Chinese couples to have two children.
Both legislations will enter into force in January 2016.
The top legislature also decided to convene next year's NPC annual session in March.
Also approved Sunday was a landmark counter domestic violence law which aims to bring traditionally silent abuse victims under legal protection.
Domestic violence is defined in the new law as physical, psychological and other harm inflicted by family members with beatings, restraint or forcible limits on physical liberty, recurring invectives and verbal threats listed as examples.
Abuse victims can file for a personal protection order to prohibit their abuser from harassing, stalking or contacting the applicant and his or her close relatives, order the abuser to move out of the home.
In addition, lawmakers approved a State Council proposal for stock listing reform, a move analysts say could help clear the backlog of companies on the waiting list and help ease their funding difficulties.
An amendment to the nation's Higher Education Law on punishing academic misconduct, and a legislation to introduce national medals and honorary titles for both citizens and foreigners, were also passed.
Legislators also approved a treaty between China and Iran on the transfer of convicts, and a treaty on friendly cooperation between China and Belarus.
