The Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress
(NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its 14th meeting on
Monday afternoon after approving a number of laws, amendments,
conventions and reports.
Wu
Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th NPC,
presided over the meeting.
Wu urged all deputies to honor their responsibilities in the
upcoming Third
Plenary Session of the 10th NPC, which is very significant in
state political affairs and is drawing attention around the
world.
He pointed out that an important item on the agenda would be the
consideration of the draft anti-secession law. Wu noted that it is
the common will of the Chinese people of all ethnic groups and of
NPC deputies to safeguard national unity and oppose attempts to
split the country.
"I hope the deputies will discuss the draft law carefully and
accomplish the solemn mission to legislate the anti-secession law,"
said Wu.
Wu also called attention to the issue of occupational safety,
which he said is a matter related to economic development and
social stability as well as in the public interest.
Although lawmakers believe the State Council report on this
matter is realistic and contains practical guidelines to boost
safety, they believe that more work must be done on implementation.
They suggested that large state-owned coal mines invest more in
workplace safety, that small and unlicensed mines be closed down
and that work safety departments scale up enforcement and
supervision.
Also at the meeting, the draft agenda for the 10th NPC's Third
Plenary Session was approved, as was the examination report on NPC
deputies' qualifications conducted by the Standing Committee's
Credentials Committee. The NPC currently has 2,988 deputies.
The annual draft work report of the Standing Committee was given
the green light and will be submitted to the NPC full session.
(China.org.cn by Chen Chao, March 1, 2005)