NPC urged to uphold Constitution

Nation's top legislator encourages lawmakers to rally around president

China's top legislator called on lawmakers on Tuesday to firmly uphold the Constitution and fulfill their duties to be representatives of the people.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress, said the rapid development of the Communist Party of China and the country has raised higher requirement for the work of the NPC. He asked legislators to clearly realize their obligations and exercise the power of legislation and supervision according to law.

He made the remarks while addressing the closing meeting of the first plenary session of the 13th NPC on Tuesday.

Li said it has been the collective will of nearly 3,000 NPC deputies and the common wish of all Chinese people to unanimously elect Xi Jinping as president of China and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

"Comrade Xi is the core of the Party, commander of the Army and leader of the people, who is supported by the whole Party and loved and respected by the people," he said. "He is the helmsman of the socialist nation with Chinese characteristics in a new era and the guide of the people."

Li said he was honored to be elected NPC Standing Committee chairman and pledged to work hard to fulfill his duty.

He also asked lawmakers to uphold the leadership of the CPC and keep in close touch with the people.

The Constitution is the fundamental law of the country and enjoys the supreme legal status. The NPC and its Standing Committee must firmly stick to the guiding principle of the Constitution, the leading status of the CPC, as well as the country's fundamental task, the development path set in the Constitution, Li said.

On Monday, Li also met with reporters of Chinese media organizations and thanked them for their outstanding coverage of the NPC session.

The first session of the 13th NPC was held from March 5 to Tuesday.

China Daily-Xinhua