Government officials with large assets from unidentified sources will face tougher penalties under the draft amendment of the Criminal Law that began making its way through China's top legislature on Monday.

The draft stipulates that government officials who can't explain the source of their assets will face a maximum jail term of 10 years, double the current penalty.

Retired officials, relatives and close friends of officials will also face criminal penalties if they take advantage of the officials' positions to get bribes or make improper profits, under the draft.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, started a five-day session on Monday to review draft laws and amendments on criminal law and food safety, among other issues.

It is necessary to give heavier penalties to officials abusing their power for personal gain, as they are betraying the public interest, said Li Shishi, director of the NPC Standing Committee's Legal Affairs Commission, at Monday's meeting.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2008)