The Chinese mainland's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee wrapped up its 16th session in Beijing on Friday, marking a milestone in the legislature's push for legal clarity and high-quality development.
During the closing meeting, lawmakers approved two major revised laws:
- Law on Penalties for Administration of Public Security: Updates aim to streamline procedures and strengthen protections in urban and rural areas.
- Law against Unfair Competition: New measures target opaque business practices and boost market transparency.
President Xi Jinping signed two presidential orders to promulgate these laws, signaling swift implementation. The session also ratified the Convention on the Establishment of the International Organization for Mediation — a step toward deeper international legal cooperation.
On the financial front, members approved the central government's final accounts for 2024, underscoring fiscal accountability as economic priorities shift from rapid growth to sustainable stability.
In a significant personnel change, the session removed Miao Hua from the Central Military Commission. Lawmakers also passed a deputy qualification report and several other personnel bills.
NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji underscored the importance of carrying out the Party central leadership's eight-point decision to improve work conduct and foster high-quality development. He urged lawmakers to:
- Practice whole-process people's democracy and welcome public oversight.
- Maintain close ties with residents and uphold constitutional loyalty.
- Follow legal procedures strictly and perform statutory duties faithfully.
Before and after the closing meeting, Zhao chaired the Council of Chairpersons and led a lecture for lawmakers on rule-of-law awareness and public service ethos.
As the session concludes, observers note that the revised laws and renewed focus on good governance set the stage for a more predictable legal environment — a key factor for entrepreneurs, tech innovators, and global partners watching the Chinese mainland's evolving market landscape.
Reference(s):
China's top legislature concludes standing committee session
cgtn.com
