Zhang Dejiang (back C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the closing meeting of the 29th session of the 12th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 1, 2017. (Xinhua/Yao Dawei)
The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) closed its bimonthly session Friday.
Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.
NUCLEAR SAFETY LAW
At the closing meeting, lawmakers passed a Nuclear Safety Law, which will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018.
The new law reflects China's coordinated and balanced nuclear safety outlook, and commitment to fulfilling obligations under international treaties.
The government will carry out international exchanges and cooperation to prevent and deal with the threat of nuclear terrorism, says the law.
The law also details protocols for nuclear facility operators, who should provide adequate occupational protection and regular medical examinations for employees.
"We have to put nuclear safety at the top of our agenda, and expect the highest standards," said Zhang.
NATIONAL ANTHEM LAW
Lawmakers also passed a National Anthem Law to ensure appropriate use of the song, which will enter effect on Oct. 1, 2017.
The national anthem "March of the Volunteers," with lyrics by poet Tian Han and music by Nie Er, will only be allowed at formal political gatherings, important diplomatic occasions, major sport events and other suitable occasions.
It will be illegal to use the national anthem during funerals, "inappropriate" private occasions, commercials or as background music in public places.
The song is to be included in textbooks for primary and secondary school students, and people are encouraged to sing the national anthem on appropriate occasions to express patriotism.
AMENDMENTS
A revised law of promotion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) was adopted after a third reading to better protect the interests of SMEs.
The revised law, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2018, has strengthened protection of the property and other rights of SMEs and increased support in areas such as financing, taxation and employment.
The committee also passed amendments to eight laws, including the Judges Law, which will take effect on Jan. 1, 2018.
More legal professionals, including administrative review and administrative adjudication workers, legal advisors at government agencies, will be required to sit a new national exam, in addition to judges, prosecutors, lawyers and notaries, according to the amendments.
REVIEWING DRAFTS, REPORTS
At the session, lawmakers also reviewed a draft law on tobacco leaf tax, which stipulates a tax of 20 percent to be levied on tobacco leaf buyers, unchanged from the previous regulation.
They also deliberated draft amendments to the Unfair Competition Law, the Standardization Law, the Law on the Organization of People's Courts, and the Law on the Organization of People's Procuratorates.
Reports on economic and social development, implementation of the budget, poverty relief, the work of Intellectual Property Right (IPR) courts, and implementation of the Copyright Law were also reviewed by the committee during the week-long session.
MEMBERS OF HK, MACAO ELECTORAL COUNCILS
The legislature approved the member lists of the electoral councils that will elect deputies from the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao to the 13th NPC.
A total of 1,989 people in Hong Kong and 481 in Macao were approved.
Thirty-six deputies from Hong Kong and 12 deputies from Macao will be elected according to a plan released by the NPC Standing Committee this April.
Current deputies will end their term in March 2018. The election of deputies to the 13th NPC shall be completed in January 2018.
The legislature also approved a report on dismissal of lawmakers from their posts as deputies for the NPC.
The total number of NPC deputies currently stands at 2,904.
