China lawmakers commend last 5 yrs of legislation

BEIJING - Members of China's top legislature, which will end its current term next month, on Tuesday expressed satisfaction regarding legislative efforts over the last five years and voiced high expectations for their successors.

The Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) has made several breakthroughs and gained positive feedback, said Chen Sixi, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, at a panel discussion concerning a work report for the NPC Standing Committee.

"I think we have served our duties as granted by the Constitution and laws and have not let the people down," Chen said.

The 12th NPC will launch its first annual session on March 5, signaling the end of the 11th NPC's five-year term.

The Standing Committee of the 11th NPC started its last bi-monthly session on Monday to prepare for the upcoming annual session of the new legislature.

Over the past five years, legislation has focused on building and improving a legal system of socialism with Chinese characteristics and ?people's livelihoods, said Yang Zhengwu, another NPC Standing Committee member.

The top legislature has been busy, as a large number of new laws and amendments were adopted over the past five years, said Chen Weilan, another NPC Standing Committee member.

Lawmakers have also stepped up supervision over the implementation of laws and the work of the government, she added.

However, Chen said she expects the new national legislature to supervise the government more strictly and pay more attention to the development of local-level democracy.

NPC Standing Committee member Liu Xirong said the top legislature should bear more responsibility in curbing corruption and restraining administrative power.