Shang Shaohua at a group discussion of the two sessions. [Photo by Zhang Xiang/chinadaily.com.cn]

Shang Shaohua never expected one of her proposals would prove unnecessary at the start of the two sessions.

Shang, a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), planned to make some suggestions on the draft law against domestic violence.

According to her proposal, those who hurt or kill others when protecting themselves from domestic violence, should be given a mitigated punishment or exempted from punishment altogether, which the current draft doesn't cover.

She was supposed to put the proposal to the CPPCC national committee before Saturday's deadline.Unexpectedly, a guideline on handling anti-domestic violence crimes released by China's top judicial authorities on Wednesday voiced the same opinion.

"The guideline shows that our government has actually listened to public opinion," Shang said, "The related departments were doing a great job".

China's first draft law against domestic violence was published to gauge public opinion in November. The consultation period ended on Dec 25.

Working as head of a women's magazine, the 63-year-old political adviser has been making proposals on anti-domestic violence for almost a decade.

"I never suffered from domestic violence, but ever since I knew many women were vulnerable victims, I started to make proposals on the legislation of anti-domestic violence to the CPPCC National Committee," Shang said, "The draft law is of great significance".

Apart from the issue of punishment, Shang also suggests the draft law adds a multi-institutional mechanism for the handling of cases and clarifies the positive role of social organizations.

"There is still room for improvement and I believe as we make continued efforts, we will create a better society for those vulnerable groups," Shang said.

Also on Wednesday, a spokeswoman of the third session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) said at a press conference that the draft law will be submitted for reading in August. The law will take shape after two or three readings.

Domestic violence has increased in recent years. According to a report by the All-China Women's Federation last year, nearly 40 percent of Chinese women who are married or in a relationship experience physical or sexual abuse, and only 7 percent of women surveyed who had experienced domestic violence called police.