Zhang Dejiang (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over a bimonthly session of the 12th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 22, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Tao)
China's top legislature Wednesday started its bimonthly session, with lawmakers deliberating revisions to several laws and preparing for the annual session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in March.
Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the opening meeting.
Legislators considered a report on the work of the NPC Standing Committee, which will be submitted to the March session.
They reviewed a draft agenda of the annual session, a draft list of candidates for the session presidium and secretary-general, as well as a list of observers.
They reviewed a report on the qualifications of some NPC deputies and discussed appointments and dismissals.
Lawmakers also deliberated revisions to the law on the Red Cross Society, the law on corporate income tax and the Unfair Competition Law.
LAW ON RED CROSS SOCIETY
The draft revisions to the Law on the Red Cross Society aimed to further boost transparency and credibility of the country's Red Cross societies.
According to the new draft, which was brought for a third reading, Red Cross societies in China and their staff are required to give feedback to donors on the use of their donations in line with the law.
Those in charge and staff members directly responsible who fail to do so could face civil and criminal charges, it said.
Meanwhile, a previous clause giving Red Cross societies the power to "rectify" illegal activities carried out by their subordinate societies and staff members was deleted from the new draft.
China's Red Cross has in recent years grappled with trust issues.
Revision work for the Law on the Red Cross Society began in 2015.
The first reading of the draft revision suggested independent third-party agencies should audit donations, while the second draft expanded the Red Cross societies' duties in the donation of stem cells and organs.
The third reading, however, specified that Red Cross societies could "participate in and promote" blood, body and organ donations, and could participate in and carry out "work related to" stem cell donations.
It also said leading supervisors at all Red Cross societies must be chosen through a "democratic process."
