China's senior legislators to meet for various draft laws

The standing committee of China's top legislature will discuss a series of draft amendments of laws concerning military service, mental health, civil lawsuits, and clean-production promotion in its 23rd session scheduled from Oct. 24 to 29. The decision was announced in a statement issued by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee on Friday, which was presided over by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee. The statement said legislators will review for the first time draft amendments of the Civil Procedure Law, the Resident Identity Card Law, Law on Promotion of Clean Production, and the draft law on Mental Health. The draft amendments on Military Service Law and Law of Occupational Diseases Prevention and Control will be reviewed again, according to the statement. Legislators will also review the draft resolution on strengthening anti-terrorism efforts, as well as the reports on affordable housing and environmental protection, which were all submitted by the State Council. The reports from the Supreme People's Court and from the Supreme People's Procuratorate on promoting justice in judicial systems by building the grassroots institutions will also be reviewed in the session, the statement said. Legislators will also review a variety of issues, including the report on the implementation of the Labor Contract Law and some appointments and removals.