China's draft law on barrier-free environment up for debate

A draft law on the building of a barrier-free environment, the first of its kind in China, was tabled before lawmakers for the first deliberation on Thursday.

The draft law, which is being deliberated at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, specifies the beneficiaries as "members of society in need of barrier-free environments."

It aims to deliver more benefits to all members of society on the basis of protecting the rights of people with disabilities and the elderly to an accessible environment.

The draft stipulates higher requirements for the construction and renovation of accessible facilities, and calls on local governments to roll out and ensure the implementation of plans to renovate existing facilities that fail to meet the mandatory accessibility standards.

While providing public information or releasing information on emergencies, government departments must ensure accessibility for people with disabilities, according to the draft law.

In the proposed legislation, it is also stipulated that state organs, as well as public service places run by organizations tasked with managing public affairs in accordance with the law, must remove barriers for those with disabilities.