The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, started its 25th session Wednesday in Beijing.
Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the session's first plenary meeting.
Lawmakers reviewed draft revisions to the Law on Animal Epidemic Prevention and the Administrative Penalty Law, and a draft coast guard law.
In reports submitted to the session, the NPC Constitution and Law Committee said the three drafts, all under the third reading, are mature enough and suggested them be passed at the session.
A draft legal aid law was submitted to the session for the first reading. The draft proposes expanding the coverage of the legal aid system.
Lawmakers deliberated a draft revision to the Practicing Physicians Law. The draft, under its first reading, stipulates better protection for the legal rights and interests of physicians and clearer definition of their duties.
A draft wetlands protection law was presented to lawmakers for the first reading. The draft makes new stipulations on the management system, protection and restoration of wetlands, among other provisions.
Lawmakers reviewed a draft family education law, which includes provisions on the implementation, facilitation and intervention of family education.
A draft amendment to the Law on Workplace Safety was submitted to the session for the first reading. The draft has proposed heavier penalties for workplace safety violations.
Lawmakers deliberated a draft amendment to the education law, which proposes specific penalties for those who steal the identities of others to enroll in a school or college.
The Supreme People's Court (SPC) submitted a draft decision on establishing the Beijing Financial Court. The establishment is expected to improve China's judicial system for finance-related cases and ensure a sound law environment for relevant sectors, according to the SPC report to the session.
Lawmakers were briefed on a treaty on the transfer of convicted criminals between China and Belgium and an extradition treaty with Morocco.
They also heard multiple reports on the handling of the proposals, suggestions and comments submitted by lawmakers during the third annual session of the 13th NPC in May 2020, and a report on the recording and review work of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee in 2020.
A report on deputy qualifications was also heard at the meeting.
