China's legislation is shifting the focus from regulating economic matters to resolving social issues.

According to Li Lin, director of the Law Institute of CASS and chief editor of the report, only 4.7 percent of new legislation passed by the four National People's Congresses (NPC) prior 2003 were on social issues, but commercial matters accounted for 36.5 percent.

But social legislation has been increasing in recent years since the 10th NPC. It has increased to 20 percent at the NPC level, and 40 percent at the provincial and lower levels, in the past five years.

The blue book on the rule of law, published annually since 2003, also said that people's opinions are being heard more.

"Most of the laws that involve people's livelihood have solicited public opinion before being passed," Li said.

(China Daily March 14, 2008)