China's first-ever law on the People's Armed Police (PAP) will be deliberated by China's top legislative body, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress at its bimonthly session from April 20 to 24.

The PAP was set up in 1982 by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and is under the direct command of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the CPC Central Military Commission. The main purpose of the PAP is to maintain social order.

The rules and regulations of the CPC Central Committee, the State Council and the Central Military Commission form the legal basis for PAP missions, but since the rules are usually not made public, the legal basis of PAP operations remains unclear.

The new law is intended to regularize the legal standing of the PAP and its operations. The draft law was passed at a meeting of the Central Military Commission on February 10, 2009, and approved by the State Council on March 18, 2009.

Lawmakers will also consider a draft law on national defense mobilization at the April session. It has taken 25 years for this law to make its way from initial draft to formal legislative review due to disagreements on whether legislation on preparation for war was necessary. The draft law will define how a state of war may be declared, according to Caijing magazine.

The session will also deliberate amendments to the postal law and a law on arbitration of farmland disputes, as well as treaties with the Republic of Korea and Australia on the transfer of convicted criminals, and a treaty with Venezuela on judicial assistance in criminal affairs.

Also at the session, lawmakers will consider draft reports submitted by the State Council on the establishment of rural social security system, the development of professional education and progress in the control of air pollution.

(Chin.org.cn by Star Cheung, April 14, 2009)