Top legislature Sunday began deliberation on a treaty
instituting judicial cooperation with Portugal on criminal cases,
which will help the two curb cross-border crimes.
According to the treaty, signed in Lisbon last December, the two
countries should provide each other with broad assistance possible
in criminal investigations, prosecution and litigation.
But the required country can refuse or postpone the assistance
in such cases as political crimes or martial crimes, and should
inform the requiring country of the reasons.
China has signed mutual legal assistance treaties with 49
countries, and bilateral extradition treaties with more than 20
countries.
Lawmakers will also discuss and ratify a protocol amending the
charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at the
25thsession of the 10th Standing Committee of the National People's
Congress (NPC).
The protocol, once adopted, will help the SCO play a more active
role in maintaining regional security and stability, and promoting
common development among the SCO member countries.
This regular session of the NPC Standing Committee is held from
December 24 to 29.
(Xinhua News Agency December 25, 2006)
