The law on rural land contracting, together with two revised laws on water resources and on surveying and mapping, as well as an explanation for Article 313 of the Criminal Law, were approved by China's senior legislature Thursday.

The 29th meeting of the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC), China's senior legislature, closed in Beijing Thursday, with Li Peng, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presiding.

The law of rural land contracting, which is to be implemented on March 1, 2003, aims to protect the fundamental interests of Chinese farmers and promote the development of farming industry in China.

The revised Water Law, which will take effect on October 1, includes new items involving the exploration, use, saving and protection of water.

The newly-adopted revised law on surveying and mapping, to take effect on December 1, will further regulate the government administrative behavior in surveying and mapping practices.

The explanation for the Article 313 of the Criminal Law aims to punish those who refuse to pay or evade due debts.

The lawmakers also ratified a protocol on curbing child trafficking, prostitution and pornography, the charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, and a treaty signed between China and Laos on extradition.

(Xinhua News Agency August 29, 2002)