The draft of law against secession was submitted Saturday for the first deliberation to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), the country's top legislature.

The 13th session of the 10th NPC Standing Committee, scheduled on December 25-29 in Beijing, also deliberated the draft resolution on the convention of the third full session of the 10th NPC, which usually opens in the next spring.

The draft laws on civil servants, notary and renewable energy were also deliberated for the first time, together with the law explanation on bank cards.
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Chinese civil servants will get more rights to protect their individual interests while they must take more responsibilities for their behaviors, according to the draft law on civil servants.

According to the draft law on notary, the notarial departments will be independent units with full civil responsibility, instead of public departments at present.

The draft law on renewable energy stipulates detailed supporting policies for the country's renewable energy industry, which is believed vital for China suffering energy shortage and heavy pollution.

The lawmakers reviewed the draft amendment to the law on solid waste pollution prevention, which expects to be approved in this session. It also deliberated the draft resolution on management of expert testimony, which stipulates that judicial departments cannot run expert testimony units to avoid possible judicial unfairness.

The State Council will also submit to the five-day session a report on rectifying and standardizing the order of market economy, and a report on conservation, protection and rational use of water resources.

(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2004)