The Top Legislature -- the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, or NPC -- has opened its bimonthly session today in Beijing. The seven-day session will focus on a number of draft laws and amendments.

Legislators will continue deliberating on drafting general provisions of civil law and draft laws on traditional Chinese medicine, cultural services, and environmental tax. Lawmakers will consider bills on revising e-commerce laws, water pollution laws, the quota and election of national deputies for the 13th NPC, and a draft decision on temporary law adjustments during the reform of the military officers' system.

They will also decide whether to ratify a criminal judicial assistance treaty between China and Malaysia. The session will review a draft decision on convening the 12th NPC's Fifth Session, as well as a report on the qualifications of certain NPC delegates.