BEIJING -- More Chinese cities will be given legislative powers, according to a draft amendment to the 2000 Legislation Law delivered to the country's top legislature for deliberation on Monday.

All cities with subordinate districts will be allowed to make laws in accordance with their local conditions, according to the amendment delivered for its first reading during the current bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).

At present, of 282 cities with subordinate districts, only 49 have legislation powers: 27 capitals of provincial regions, four special economic zones and 18 big cities approved by the State Council.

Li Shishi, director of the NPC Standing Committee's Legal Affairs Commission, said Monday that all other cities with subordinate districts will be allowed to make local laws and regulations on construction, sanitation, the environment, etc. in a positive and steady manner and in accordance with local conditions.

The draft makes improving legislative quality a basic requirements of the work, saying that rules should be clear, concrete, executable and operable.

"Improving the quality of legislation is the principal objective," said Li.

The draft also strengthens the leading role of people's congresses in legislation.