Government and Policy

NPC to discuss revision of villagers' committee law

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-12-14 20:50

BEIJING: China's top legislature will consider a draft revision of its Organic Law of Villagers' Committees at a bimonthly session scheduled from October 22 to 26, according to a statement issued by the legislative body Monday.

The draft revision will undergo its first reading, according to a meeting presided over by top legislator Wu Bangguo on Monday and attended by vice chairpersons and the secretary-general of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

China had pledged to push forward revision of the Organic Law of the Villagers' Committees in its National Human Rights Action Plan published in April, to enhance "the level of villagers' self-governance and democratic management."

According to the meeting agenda, lawmakers will continue to review draft laws on tort liability, island protection, social insurance, and military mobilization, as well as draft amendments to the law on renewable energy, and the electoral law.

They will consider a bill on a draft resolution to convene the third annual session of the 11th NPC, and a bill from the State Council on ratifying a UN supplementary protocol on prevention and cracking down on human trafficking.

A pact on criminal judicial assistance between China and Malta will also be discussed by NPC Standing Committee members.

In addition, lawmakers will examine two reports from the State Council on boosting development of small and medium-sized enterprises as well as employment and re-employment, and reports from the NPC's subordinate law, agricultural and rural, environment and resource protection, and education, science, culture and health committees.

They will also hear a report from the Credentials Committee of the NPC Standing Committee on the credentials of certain NPC members, and two reports from the General Office of the NPC Standing Committee and the Health Ministry.

During the session, lawmakers will also examine proposals for personnel changes.

The statement gave no other details on the items on the agenda.