NPC chairman on tasks ahead

Source:

03-10-2006 17:09

China's top legislator, Wu Bangguo, has delivered the work report on the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, to the annual session of the NPC.

Wu Bangguo noted 2005 was an important year marking the successful completion of the tenth Five-Year Plan. He said there was great progress in building up the system the National People's Congress operates in, as well as carrying out the work of the NPC. Wu said the Standing Committee has played a critical role in this work.

Wu said: "The Standing Committee focused on the central tasks, adopted a people-first approach, and emphasized priorities and efficiency. The Standing Committee has done a great deal of promoting the role of the deputies, strengthening system building, improving legislation quality, and supervision effect, thus playing an important role in adhering to and perfecting the NPC system, pushing forward the construction of the socialist democracy and rule of law, boosting the overall coordinated and sustainable economic and social development in building a harmonious society."

Wu Bangguo went on to say the quality of legislation has been constantly raised and new steps taken towards its democratization. Over the past year, the NPC and its Standing Committee have reviewed 25 laws, legal explanations and drafts on law-related issues. Those issues included abolishing the agricultural tax, revising the personal income tax, amending the Corporate law and the Securities Law, adopting the Law of Civil Servants, the Anti-Secession Law, and interpreting the Basic Law of the Hong Kong SAR. 18 of the laws have been adopted.

Wu said the NPC's role of supervision has been strengthened and is more efficient, especially regarding agriculture, farmers and the countryside. This, in addition to resource conservation and environmental protection, and production safety.

And, Wu noted the NPC's international exchanges are more and more active. It has built a regular exchange mechanism between the NPC and foreign parliaments, constituting an important part of the national diplomacy.

Beside extending thanks to the NPC deputies, Wu pointed out several items that need to be improved.

Wu said: "We need to improve the quality in handling deputies' motions and proposals, and the organizational work for deputies' activities. We still have lots of work to do in raising the quality of legislation and the efficiency of supervision. Some important laws to be urgently enacted and some current laws need to be revised, and many other judicial interpretations on laws and regulations need to be put on file for examinations."

Reviewing the new year, Wu said 2006 is the beginning of the 11th Five-Year Development Program, and the work and responsibilities of the Standing Committee of the NPC are heavier.

Wu said: "We will unswervingly take the road of socialist political development with Chinese characteristics, have an organic combination of adherence to the Party's leadership, decision-making role of the people, and ruling the country by law... center on the overall work and major tasks of the Party and State and duly perform the responsibilities bestowed by the Constitution and laws, work hard to blaze new trails in the work of the NPC, and make greater contributions to the implementation of the 11th Five-Year Program, and the socialist economic construction, political developments, cultural and society building."

Wu emphasized adherence to and improving the system of the National People's Congress, continuing to make major legislation that affects the overall economic and social developments and provides support for the establishment of a legal framework... as well as bringing legislation work to a new higher level. He also pushed for to continuing to give priority to major issues of reform, development and stability, as well as issues that arouse public concern, and ensuring effective supervision.

In his report, Wu Bangguo says the draft Law on Property Rights will be included in this year's legislative plan. The draft Property Rights Law is now under revision, taking into account opinions and suggestions from all sectors of society.

Editor:Wang