China revises law on legislative process (2)

Currently, out of 282 Chinese cities with subordinate districts, only 49 have legislative powers, including 27 provincial capitals, four special economic zones and 18 large cities approved by the State Council.

In its first version, the bill expands lawmaking power over local affairs to all 282 cities.

However, at the previous reading lawmakers voiced concerns about the risk of abuse of legislative powers.

The new version further defines "local affairs" as city infrastructure development, city management and environmental protection as well as public service.

It also said provincial legislatures will decide whether a city is suited to exercising legislative power in terms of its population, geography, economic and social development, legislative capacity and need.

October's legal reform plan vowed to improve the quality and transparency of legislative work.

The bill responds with articles to streamline the legislative process. For instance, it asks the legislature to host hearings about new laws. The hearings will invite people and departments of interest, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and experts to participate.

When drafting a specialized or technical law, the legislature can invite legal experts to join the work or entrust experts, institutes and NGOs in related areas to draft it.

The new version also adds regulations on which procedures the State Council, China's cabinet, should take to issue government regulations.

The NPC Standing Committees and NPC special committees are entitled to examine the legitimacy of government rules. In current practice, the legislature only does this as requested.

The bill adds an article allowing the legislature to initiate examinations of legitimacy and publish their results.