More publicity will be carried out to make sure all Chinese women and children - no matter where they live - are aware of the revisions, according to Peng Peiyun, vice-chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

The amendments were adopted by the country's top legislative body -the NPC Standing Committee - in late April during its 21st session.

Most of the 33 major changes to the law helped support the rights of women and children, who are the most common victims of domestic violence.

More women should know about the improvements in legal support, said Peng, who is also president of the All-China Women's Federation.

More than 40 percent of complaints to the federation last year were to do with domestic problems. Domestic violence occurs in three out of every 10 families and is the cause of 60 percent of all divorces in the country, according to the federation.

The federation will organize activities, such as lectures, across the country to promote the new amendments.

Li Baoku, vice-minister of the Ministry of Civil Affairs, disclosed that the revised Managerial Regulation on Marriage Registration was expected to come out this month, and "the qualifications of the marrying couple will be examined more strictly to avoid bigamy, fake marriages, and other related problems."

A nationwide examination will be held later this year on the status of the country's marriage registrations.

In addition, officials from the Supreme People's Court, the Ministry of Justice, All-China Federation of Trade Unions and the Communist Youth League of China said they are reviewing and ratifying their old practices to better cope with the amended law, and will be dispatching special teams to improve legal education.

(China Daily 07/17/2001)