Standing Committee reviews recommendations on wide range of subjects

Draft defines overall national security outlook

A draft law on the overall national security strategy, which highlighted political and public security, was heard by the top legislature on Monday.

The law was put forward for its second reading during the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, from Monday to Friday.

Compared with its first reading, the draft for the second reading clearly defined the overall national security outlook put forward by President Xi Jinping at the first meeting of the National Security Commission in April last year.

Xi, who heads the commission, in April said that a "national security path with Chinese characteristics" should be explored. He said a system should be built that covers: politics, territory, military, economy, culture, society, science and technology, information, ecology, nuclear and natural resources.

Changes to jury system are examined

The top legislature reviewed a bill on Monday that would expand representation for the jury system.

The bill suggested piloting a reform that would increase the minimum age for jurors from 23 to 28 and lower the educational requirement from junior college to senior high school.

It proposed the requirement for education be lowered further in rural and poor areas, where highly respected individuals could become jurors no matter what educational backgrounds they have obtained.

The bill also improved the system to protect jurors' personal safety, and outlined punishment for jurors who do not fulfill their roles. It does not allow employers to fire jurors or cut their wages based on their court commitments.

Bill protects establishment of overseas NGOs

A new clause was added to a draft law on the regulation of overseas NGOs that protects the establishment of some branches in China, and was reviewed for the second time by the top legislature on Monday.

The new draft adds that activities of overseas NGOs that conform with the law are protected by Chinese law.

The first draft had said overseas NGOs were not allowed to establish branches in China. However, as some overseas NGOs, especially in the fields of science and technology, already have branches in China and their presence is supported by a number of government policies, the draft was amended. It now reads that overseas NGOs are not allowed to establish branches unless the State Council has other regulations.

Xinhua

(China Daily 04/21/2015 page7)