China's top legislature opens bimonthly session

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the 12th meeting of the 12th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 22, 2014. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

China's top legislature started its bimonthly session Monday, with lawmakers considering draft laws and draft amendments on national security, regulation of overseas nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and air pollution control.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), presided over the opening meeting of the session, which runs from Monday to Sunday.

A draft law on navigation channels was put up for a second reading and is likely to be put to a vote at the end of this week's session.

The draft of a law on national security was tabled on Monday for a first reading.

Also tabled for the first reading was a bill to regulate overseas NGOs' activities on China's mainland. There are provisions on the operation and fundraising of overseas NGOs on China's mainland as well as their management and supervision.

The bill states that governments at all levels are obligated to provide policy consultation, assistance and guidance for overseas NGOs so that they can effectively and legally operate in the mainland.

It also includes punishments for NGOs if they violate the law.

Another put forward for deliberation was the draft amendment on the air pollution control law, submitted to the top legislature for a first reading.

The draft amendment adds a new chapter on dealing with smoggy days, stipulating that the country should establish a monitoring and early-warning system for heavily-polluted days. [Related: Chinese legislature to tackle smog]

Tackling heavily-polluted weather will be included in local government emergency response plans, according to the draft, adding that governments at county level or above should stipulate a contingency plan for heavily-polluted days. And the contingency plan should be made public.

When an early warning is issued, governments at county level or above shall implement their contingency plans according to the severity level of the early warning.

According to the needs for tackling air pollution, certain enterprises should be ordered to suspend or limit production, use of some automobiles could be prohibited or limited, igniting fireworks forbidden, demolition of buildings suspended and outdoor barbecues eliminated.

Artificial weather modification might be used and outdoor sports activities for kindergartens and schools could be canceled, according to the draft.

The legislature also started a second reading of the draft revision to China's Food Safety Law, which toughens penalties on offenders by imposing detention.

Offenders who add inedible substances to foods will be detained for five to 15 days, according to the bill. For more serious offences, the suspects will be subject to Criminal Law.

The new version requires producers to label their products if they contain genetically modified ingredients listed by the Ministry of Agriculture.

A draft amendment to the Advertisement Law submitted for a second reading introduces stricter bans on tobacco ads. It also includes better protection of minors from advertisements.

The legislature is also giving a second read to the draft amendment on Legislation Law.

Lawmakers heard a report on the enforcement of the tourism law, which was the first law adopted by the Standing Committee of the 12th NPC.

They also heard explanations for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Counter-Terrorism Convention, and the extradition treaties between China and Afghanistan and between China and Iran, which were submitted to the session for ratification.

Lawmakers also heard a report on the qualifications of certain NPC deputies and discussed appointments and dismissals.