BEIJING -- Lawmakers on Wednesday reviewed two draft sections on marriage and family and inheritance of the civil code in panel discussions at the ongoing bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, attended the panel discussions.

Hailing the codification as an important legislative task, lawmakers said the work had integrated, revised and improved existing civil laws and regulations to cope with modern changes.

The draft sections are conducive to better protecting family members' lawful rights and interests, maintaining harmonious and stable marriage relationships and establishing a better inheritance system, according to the lawmakers.

They also called for prompt codification to make sure the draft civil code could be completed by the end of the year, ready to be submitted to the NPC for deliberation.