NPC to discuss Constitution amendments ( 2003-12-17 00:48) (China Daily)
Chinese lawmakers will start next Monday to
discuss Constitutional amendments proposed by the Central Committee of the
Chinese Communist Party (CPC).
According to an agenda released yesterday, the upcoming week-long session of
the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will review proposals
made by the CPC Central Committee on the amendments to the Constitution and
deliberate draft amendments based on the proposals.
According to the agenda, the NPC Standing Committee will discuss amendments
to the country's 10-year-old foreign trade law in light of the new situation and
demands made on China after it joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) two
years ago.
The amendments proposed by the State Council will include "major changes'' to
the existing foreign trade codes.The session will also continue to examine three
financial laws key to the reform of China's banking businesses, namely, the
draft law on supervision and management of the banking industry, the draft
amendments to the central bank law and draft amendments to the commercial bank
law.
A treaty with Russia on the transfer of convicts and a treaty with Thailand
on criminal justice assistance are also pending ratification by the legislature.
Other items on the agenda are:
Reports on the progress of the massive project to divert water resources from
the south to the north of China and future plans. Reports will also touch on new
developments relating to China's entrance to the World Trade Organization two
years ago.
Draft decision on convening the 2nd Plenum of the 10th NPC in March next
year.
Reports by a law inspection group of the NPC Standing Committee on the
implementation of the Rural Land Contract Law across the country.
Several appointments and removals of official posts.
The existing Chinese Constitution, consisting of 138 articles in four
chapters, was formulated in 1982. It has been amended three times, in 1988, 1993
and 1999.