Lawmakers stand in silent tribute for quake victims

BEIJING - Lawmakers attending a bimonthly legislative session on Thursday stood in silent tribute for the victims of Saturday's deadly quake that jolted Southwest China's Sichuan province.

At the closing meeting of the three-day parliamentary session, top legislator Zhang Dejiang proposed to mourn for the victims and the soldiers who died in the quake relief work.

The earthquake that measured 7.0 on the Richter scale hit Sichuan's Lushan county on April 20. It left 196 dead and 21 missing as of Wednesday.

After the quake, President Xi Jinping gave quake relief instructions and Premier Li Keqiang went to the disaster area to lead the rescue work, said Zhang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

The central government, Sichuan authorities and the armed forces have made all-out efforts in the quake relief work, he said, adding, "The NPC Standing Committee expresses sympathy to people affected by the quake and is grateful to all rescuers and supporters."

At the closing meeting of the bimonthly session, lawmakers approved the tourism law and a list of chairman, vice-chairmen and members of the Credentials Committee of the NPC Standing Committee.

Zhang called for strengthened legislative work and improved quality of legislation.