BEIJING -- Lawmakers are considering a draft revision to the State Council Organic Law, which is crucial for building a law-based government.

The draft revision was tabled Friday before lawmakers for deliberation at the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress. This is the first draft revision in over 40 years since the passing of the current law in December 1982.

The 18-article draft law revision mainly refines stipulations concerning regulations on the members of the State Council, the system of conference of the State Council, and regulations on State Council organs and their functions and powers, among others.

Revising the law is important to comprehensively building a law-based government, deepening reform of the Party and state institutions, and modernizing China's system and capacity for governance.