China's top legislature convened its bi-monthly session on Wednesday. The 15th bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will see more deliberation of draft laws, draft amendments and proposals.
The bi-monthly session of this NPC Standing Committee is scheduled to be concluded on July 1.
Child traffickers face tougher penalties
Human traffickers are likely to face tougher penalties, and the list of punishable terrorist activities is set to be expanded, under proposed revisions to the Criminal Law that have been advanced to a second reading by legislators.
The ninth draft amendment to the Criminal Law was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress on Wednesday for further deliberation at the legislature's bimonthly session. >>>Read more
Gov'ts must consult on driving restrictions: draft amendment
Local governments must solicit public opinion before imposing driving restrictions to lower air pollution, a draft amendment to the Air Pollution Control Law reads.
The draft amendment -- tabled for a second reading Wednesday by the top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee -- gave provincial-level governments the authority to decide on driving restrictions but said they must take into account air pollution and vehicle emissions. >>>Read more
Chinese president, premier to swear constitutional oath before taking office
Top Chinese officials, including the president and premier, will be required to swear an oath to uphold the country's Constitution before taking office, China's top legislature said on Wednesday.
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) began reviewing the draft constitutional oath bill on Wednesday. The bill stipulates that civil servants directly appointed by the People's Congress at all levels, as well as both government and judicial officials, will be required to swear a constitutional oath before taking office.
This would include future Chinese presidents, vice presidents, premiers, vice premiers, chairmen and vice-chairmen of the NPC, State councilors and ministers. >>>Read more
China considers tougher laws on school bus driving
Drivers of overloaded school buses may face criminal detention, according to a draft amendment to China's Criminal Law which was deliberated by Chinese legislators Wednesday.
The draft amendment was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for a second reading during the legislature's bi-monthly session, which runs from Wednesday to July 1. >>>Read more
Lawmakers mull stricter air pollution control law
Chinese legislators are deliberating on regulating emissions from boats and ships as the country clamps down on air pollution.
According to a draft amendment to the Air Pollution Law, tabled to the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for a second reading Wednesday, ships on inland or river-to-sea waterways must use standard diesel as fuel to cut emissions. >>>Read more
State officials to pledge allegiance to Constitution
Officials will pledge their allegiance to the Constitution when assuming office if a draft legal document submitted to the top legislature for deliberation on Wednesday becomes law.
All officials elected or appointed by people's congresses and their standing committees at both the national and local level, as well as State officials appointed by people's governments, courts and procuratorates at all levels, must in the future take a public oath of allegiance to the Constitution when assuming office, the draft says. >>>Read more
China set to bolster space security, nuclear capacity: Draft law
Chinese lawmakers are mulling the inclusion of security of China's activities and assets in space, on the international sea bed and in polar regions in a draft law, the latest move to improve the legal framework protecting national security.
The draft national security law -- tabled for a third reading on Wednesday by the top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, -- said China would "peacefully explore and exploit outer space, international sea bed areas and polar regions". >>>Read more
China mulls laws on cyber security, national security
The top legislature opened its bimonthly session on Wednesday, with lawmakers considering draft laws on cyber and national security, and a draft amendment to the Criminal Law.
The draft law on cyber security was submitted for its first reading at the session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which runs until July 1. >>>Read more
China considers defining more conduct as 'terrorism'
Chinese legislators are deliberating a draft amendment to the Criminal Law for the second time which adds more items to the list of activities defined as terrorism.
The draft amendment to the Criminal Law was submitted Wednesday to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for more deliberation during the legislature's bi-monthly session, which runs from Wednesday to July 1. >>>Read more
China considers harsher punishment for cults
China's legislators are discussing harsher punishment for those involved in cults or superstitious activities that hamper the implementation of laws and regulations.
According to a draft amendment to the Criminal Law, deliberated on Wednesday, in serious cases the maximum punishment may be extended to life imprisonment, in addition to fines or confiscation of property. >>>Read more
