Legislature should be allowed to hold more sessions, draft law says

chinadaily.com.cn Updated: 2021-12-21

Legislature should be allowed to hold more sessions, draft law says.jpeg

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over the first plenary meeting of the 32nd session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, Dec 20, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the top legislature, should be allowed to increase the frequency of sessions if necessary, a draft amendment said.

In general, the committee holds a session once every two months, but considering practical needs, additional sessions should be permitted, according to the draft amendment to the committee's Rules of Procedure.

The draft is being reviewed by lawmakers after it was submitted to the committee on Monday.

Given that a few sessions were successfully held via video link during the pandemic, the draft also stipulates that committee members should be able to participate in sessions online after its Council of Chairpersons approves.

Additionally, the draft calls for committee members to improve the efficiency of their deliberations on bills during sessions, with reviews on some special reports such as those on environmental protection and State asset management.

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