The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) has launched an enforcement inspection of the Notarization Law amid efforts to identify problems and improve the performance of notarial functions.

From July to September last year, inspection teams were dispatched to six provincial-level regions, including Beijing, Hebei, Liaoning and Shanghai, according to a report on the mission delivered by Cao Jianming, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, at the 32nd session of the 13th NPC Standing Committee on Dec 21, 2021.

The inspection teams fulfilled their duties assiduously to identify key concerns and problems in the enforcement of the law, such as the limited role of notarization in dispute prevention, difficulties in notarial personnel recruitment and retention, and barriers in data sharing across departments or regions, said the report.

Based on the in-depth understanding of the problems, inspection teams also suggested solutions.

The report called for efforts to further promote the publicity of the law and boost people's confidence in the use of notarization services. It also urged strengthened supervision to enhance the implementation of the law.

It has been 16 years since the law took effect in 2006, with the aim of regulating notarial activities and preventing disputes. During this period, China has seen rapid economic and social development as well as a thriving notary industry.