A new law designed to help Beijing legislators secure their supervision over the administrative and judicial organs of the municipal government is expected to go into effect in 2008.

The Beijing Municipal People's Congress (BMPC) released a draft law yesterday called Regulations on the Standing Committee of the Beijing People's Congress' Discussion and Decision of Major Issues.

The law came after the nation's Supervision Law of Standing Committees of People's Congresses at Various Levels was released in late August. It will have effect from January 1.

"The contents of the law proceed from the national ones, with many regulations and explanations at length, and it is so far one of the most detailed among the 28 issued for municipalities and provinces," said Liu Weilin, deputy secretary-general of the Standing Committee of the BMPC.

According to the draft, the Beijing municipal government and other judicial bodies must report to the standing committee for discussion in 11 subject areas.

They are industry; finance; environment; resources; education; health; social security; historical site and cultural relics protection; residential housing projects; major public emergencies; and establishing sister-city relationships with foreign cities.
"The law will enhance lawmakers' powers to prevent abuse in administrative and judicial bodies and keep them working properly," Liu said.

Municipal government and other judicial organizations must complete their reports to the congress at the beginning of each year.

Besides clarifying the specific issues and projects, the regulation also stipulates procedures for discussion and measures for effective implementation.

If reports fail to reach the BMPC in time for discussion, the BMPC may demand modifications or simply override the provisions of the original law. Enforcement officials will be called to account if the laws are not properly executed.

(China Daily September 15, 2006)