The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, started a five-day session Monday to review draft laws on food safety and recycling, among other issues.

Five bills would be deliberated during the fourth session of the 11th NPC Standing Committee.

These were draft laws on food safety and recycling, and draft amendments to the Criminal Law, the Insurance Law as well as the Patent Law.

According to the agenda, the NPC would also discuss an additional protocol to the organization law of the Universal Postal Union and three international pacts on criminal judicial assistance with Namibia, Pakistan and Japan.

The session would review several reports tabled by the State Council, or the cabinet, on increasing farmers' income, the protection of minors, and the 2007 central budget.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, chaired the meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2008)