China is working on a law on the promotion of development in western China and strives to produce the draft law within this year, Vice-Minister Li Zishan of the State Development and Reform Commission said in Beijing Monday.

The drafting of the law has been incorporated into the legislative agenda of the 10th National People's Congress, Li told a press conference on the sideline of the annual session of China's top Legislature.

The State Council has formed a group to draft the law, with the participation of prominent law experts, he said.

Also in the works are separate rules and regulations, including the regulations on the protection and monitoring of the environment in the western part of the country, which will be submitted to the State Council for approval in the fourth quarter this year, Li disclosed.

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2004)