The China Disabled Person's Federation (CDPF) announced Tuesday that the Law on the Protection of Disabled People will be revised to better safeguard the interests of the country's more than 60 million disabled citizens.

The amended draft law is expected to be submitted to the State Council in 2006 and to the Standing Committee of National People Congress (NPC) in 2007, according to the source from the CDPF.

The Law on the Protection of Disabled People, which took effect on May 15, 1991, has played a vital role in safeguarding the fundamental interests of China's disabled. But China's many and rapid changes have made much of the law obsolete, said the CDPF source.

Over recent years, the living status of disabled citizens has been far below average. Bias against the disabled, and the obstacles for the disabled to participate in social activities still exist.

The law revision will draw from useful practical experience in government services and adopt international standards and norms.

In recent years, some deputies of the NPC and members of the national committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) have repeatedly called for the revision of the law.

The Ministry of Civil Affairs and the CDPF, with several other Ministries and government departments, have jointly formed a leading group to direct the revision. Some 20 experts on law and other spheres are joining the group as advisors.

(Xinhua News Agency October 12, 2005)