国内英语新闻:People's Daily hails amendment to Electoral Law

BEIJING, March 14 (Xinhua) -- The amendment to the Electoral Law adopted by the National People's Congress (NPC), China's parliament, marked an important step to improve the people's congress system and advance socialist democracy, the People's Daily said in an editorial to be published Monday.

The NPC concluded its annual session here Sunday after adopting an amendment to the Electoral Law, which grants equal representation in legislative bodies to rural and urban people.

The amendment could better demonstrate equality among people, regions and ethnic groups, and promote social harmony, the editorial said.

The editorial also spoke highly of the NPC session as an important meeting in the crucial era for China to deal with the global financial crisis, maintain steady and relatively fast economic development, and accelerate transformation of the economic growth mode.

The NPC endorsed the government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao, which highlights scientific development, transformation of the economic growth mode, innovation and improvement of people's livelihood, the editorial said.

The editorial hailed the achievements of the NPC Standing Committee in 2009 and called for the NPC to make intensified efforts in legislation and supervision work and keep in closer contact with the people in 2010, the last year for the implementation of the country's 11th five-year plan (2006-2010).