Top legislature to study draft laws on environment, ethnic unity, national development planning

Three draft laws — a proposed environmental code, a draft law on promoting ethnic unity and progress, and a draft law on national development planning — were suggested to be further reviewed at next year's annual full session of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, the NPC Standing Committee released on Monday.

The drafts were submitted for consideration on Monday during the ongoing session of the NPC Standing Committee. Following deliberation, they have been suggested by the NPC Constitution and Law Committee for submission to the fourth plenary session of the 14th NPC for further review by all NPC deputies next year.

It is common practice in China for draft legislation to become law after three readings by the NPC Standing Committee. However, if a piece of legislation touches on issues affecting major public interests or fundamental national concerns, it must be reviewed and approved by the full session of NPC deputies rather than solely by the standing committee.