China's top legislature vows strengthened anti-graft efforts

BEIJING -- China's top legislature on Friday vowed to accelerate the legislation of a national anti-corruption law to bolster the nation's fight against graft.

The National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee convened a meeting to discuss reinforced anti-corruption efforts in the new year, vowing to be disciplined and clean.

The meeting, which followed a high-profile session by anti-graft authorities that closed on Thursday, was presided over by Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee and attended by key members of the committee.

Senior legislators were asked to study the spirit of President Xi Jinping's speech at the session and advance the anti-graft drive in the legislature, according to a statement released after the meeting.

They must take the lead in respecting the constitution of the Communist Party of China and adhering to Party discipline, ensuring the Party's unity and the implementation of orders from the central leadership. They should be loyal to the Party and the people.

Lawmakers should accelerate legislation for a national anti-corruption law and improve amending of the administrative supervision law, said the statement.

The top legislature should support and supervise the central government's work according to the law and promote the supreme court and procuratorate's independence and justice.

It must strengthen supervision over the lawmaker election process during term transitions and ensure all deputies to the NPC represent the people's interests and will, according to the statement.