Chinese lawmakers discussed in groups the reports on the protection of workers' rights and development of rural areas on Thursday.

Members of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) also deliberated a draft resolution on the methods for selecting the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and for forming the HKSAR Legislative Council in 2012 and on issues concerning universal suffrage.

Lawmakers said the protection of workers' rights had a bearing on the personal interests of the public, the country's stability, reform and development.

The State Council had adopted a series of policies and measures to solve issues of public concern, including social security, employment, recovery of unpaid wages and protection of the lawful rights of migrant workers.

NPC Standing Committee members urged the cabinet and relevant government departments to strengthen supervision to better protect workers' rights.

When deliberating the report on development of rural areas, lawmakers said the foundation of agriculture remained weak and it had become more difficult to bring about a steady growth of agriculture and continued increase in farmers' income.

They hoped that governments at various levels would strengthen infrastructure in rural areas, improve the system of rural markets and the overall agricultural production capacity, and to increase farmers' income through various channels.

On Hong Kong, the NPC Standing Committee members said the draft resolution conformed to the Basic Law of the HKSAR and its reality. It showed the principle of advancing democracy step by step and had fully considered the wishes of Hong Kong society on pushing forward constitutional development.

The draft resolution was in keeping with the overall and long-term interests of the Hong Kong people and was conducive to the long-term prosperity and stability of the HKSAR.

(Xinhua News Agency December 28, 2007)