Top legislature Sunday began deliberation on a treaty instituting judicial cooperation with Portugal on criminal cases, which will help the two curb cross-border crimes.

 

According to the treaty, signed in Lisbon last December, the two countries should provide each other with broad assistance possible in criminal investigations, prosecution and litigation.

 

But the required country can refuse or postpone the assistance in such cases as political crimes or martial crimes, and should inform the requiring country of the reasons.

 

China has signed mutual legal assistance treaties with 49 countries, and bilateral extradition treaties with more than 20 countries.

 

Lawmakers will also discuss and ratify a protocol amending the charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the 25thsession of the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

 

The protocol, once adopted, will help the SCO play a more active role in maintaining regional security and stability, and promoting common development among the SCO member countries.

 

This regular session of the NPC Standing Committee is held from December 24 to 29.

 

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2006)