China includes civil law codification in legislation plan

China has added the formulation of a civil law code to its five-year legislation plan.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's national legislature, on Wednesday published an adjusted legislative plan which includes 34 additional items for lawmakers' consideration.

The NPC Standing Committee in 2013 announced an original plan to discuss 68 bills in the following five years and Wednesday's adjustment has taken the total number to 102.

Among the 102 items, 76 are scheduled for discussion within the term of the 12th NPC Standing Committee. Another 26 are set to be drafted and submitted for discussion "when conditions are ready".

A total of 14 out of the 102 items have been passed since the announcement of the plan with an additional nine submitted for review.

The new items added also include formulation or amendment of laws on elections, corruption, national security, counter-espionage, terrorism and overseas NGOs as well as a law requiring officials to pledge their allegiance to the Constitution when assuming office.

Research will be conducted into possible legislation on matters such as economic security, social credit and aerospace.