Top legislature schedules Oct 27-Nov 1 session

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the 32nd meeting attended by the NPC Standing Committee's vice chairpersons at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Oct. 17, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

China's top legislature decided on Friday to consider a series of draft laws and amendments later this month, including a draft revision to the Administrative Procedure Law and a draft Counterespionage Law.

The National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will convene a bimonthly session from Oct. 27 to Nov. 1, according to a decision made at Friday's meeting presided over by top legislator Zhang Dejiang and attended by the NPC Standing Committee's vice chairpersons.

Formerly known as the National Security Law, the draft Counterespionage Law is expected to include new counterespionage rules that have been proven effective in practice but not been written into the current law.

Taking effect in 1993, the National Security Law mainly regulates the work of the country's national security agencies, whose major duty is counterespionage. It hasn't been revised since then.

Under the recommended agenda for the upcoming session, lawmakers will also review bills submitted at Friday's meeting to begin deliberating on a draft amendment to the Criminal Law and a draft anti-terrorism law.

Friday's meeting did not provide details on these drafts.

Also to be deliberated are various reports covering issues such as regulating judicial acts in the court and procuratorate systems, enforcement of Law on the Prevention and Control of Atmospheric Pollution, the qualifications of some NPC deputies as well as some appointments and dismissals, according to the agenda.