Chinese legislators are discussing a draft law on the protection of oil and gas pipelines, which, they say, are facing growing problems due to rapid urbanization and the expansion of pipeline networks.

The country's top legislature began to deliberate a draft law concerning the issue on Tuesday. State Council (cabinet) official Cao Kangtai told lawmakers the safety of oil and natural gas pipelines in China "urgently needs protection" through legislation.

Rapid urbanization had resulted in the reckless construction of buildings and roads within buffer areas for the pipelines in recent years, making their protection increasingly difficult, said Cao, director of the State Council's Legislative Affairs Office.

The network, which carries 70 percent of the country's crude oil and 99 percent of its natural gas, was also threatened by rampant theft of oil and gas through illegal siphoning on the pipelines, as well as possible terrorist attacks, Cao said.

"We need a special law to regulate and better coordinate pipeline construction with urban planning, to enhance protective measures, and to clarify responsibilities of different departments," he told the 11th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC), which is convening from Oct. 27 to 31.

The draft law requires governments at different levels, particularly state and provincial-level energy departments, to enhance supervision of protection work.

The draft also detailed the responsibility of enterprises that own and operate the pipelines, as well as the planning, the construction and protective measures.

Those who steal from pipelines could face heavy fines of up to 10 times the value of the stolen oil or gas, according to the draft law.