The Standing Committee of the ninth National People's Congress (NPC) opened its 29th meeting to review three draft laws on the supervisory work of the people's congresses and their standing committees, securities investment funds, and administrative licensing; a draft amendment to the Grasslands Law; and a draft explanation for Article 313 of the Criminal Law, which are submitted for review for the first time.

The committee will also further examine draft laws on promotion of non-state-run educational undertakings, rural land contracting, environmental impact assessment, and road traffic safety; as well as draft amendments to the Insurance Law, Water Law, and Surveying and Mapping Law.

During the seven-day meeting, the lawmakers will review and ratify the charter of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, a treaty signed between China and Laos on extradition, and an international protocol on curbing child trafficking, prostitution and pornography.

(Xinhua News Agency August 23, 2002)