Other means to enhance legislation democracy include inviting experts and NPC deputies to attend legislative meetings. For example, when preparing for the Property Law, specialists in related fields were consulted several times to address complicated issues like the priority of real rights and debt.

To make the country's legislation work more transparent, Li Fei said, many more work meetings are opened to the press now. The Standing Committee of the NPC has also decided on the timely convention of press conferences when a new law is enacted. Regarding laws already taking effect, an archive is available on the NPC's official website for public reference.

"China has made much headway in legislation works during the past five years," Li Fei said. "After the reform and opening-up in late 1978, a sound legislative system has been established. In addition to the formulation of new laws, in the years ahead we will work hard to improve the existing laws, thus making them more suited to the rapid progress of our country."

(China.org.cn by staff reporter Chen Xia, March 12, 2008)