Chinese lawmakers will start next Monday to discuss
Constitutional amendments proposed by the Central Committee of the
Chinese Communist Party (CPC).
According to an agenda released yesterday, the upcoming
week-long session of the National People's Congress (NPC)
Standing Committee will review proposals made by the CPC Central
Committee on the amendments to the Constitution and deliberate
draft amendments based on the proposals.
According to the agenda, the NPC Standing Committee will discuss
amendments to the country's 10-year-old foreign trade law in light
of the new situation and demands made on China after it joined the
World Trade Organization (WTO) two years ago.
The amendments proposed by the State Council will include "major
changes" to the existing foreign trade codes. The session will also
continue to examine three financial laws key to the reform of
China's banking businesses, namely, the draft law on supervision
and management of the banking industry, the draft amendments to the
central bank law and draft amendments to the commercial bank
law.
A treaty with Russia on the transfer of convicts and a treaty
with Thailand on criminal justice assistance are also pending
ratification by the legislature.
Other items on the agenda:
Reports on the progress of the massive project to divert water
resources from the south to the north of China and future plans.
Reports will also touch on new developments relating to China's
entrance to the World Trade Organization two years ago.
Draft decisions on convening the 2nd Plenum of the 10th NPC in
March next year.
Reports by a law inspection group of the NPC Standing Committee
on the implementation of the Rural Land Contract Law across the
country.
Several appointments and removals of official posts.
The existing Chinese Constitution, consisting of 138 articles in
four chapters, was formulated in 1982. It has been amended three
times, in 1988, 1993 and 1999.
(Xinhua News Agency December 17, 2003)