国内英语新闻:China's top legislature to review draft amendments to state secrets, state compensation laws

BEIJING, April 16 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature will convene its bimonthly session from April 26-29 and review draft amendments to the State Secrets Law and the State Compensation Law.

The decision was made Friday at a meeting of the Council of Chairmen of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, presided over by top legislator Wu Bangguo.

The draft amendment to the State Secrets Law, which will undergo its third reading during the upcoming legislative meeting, aims to boost citizens' awareness of the importance of safeguarding state secrets.

The draft amendment to the State Compensation Law, which will be submitted for its fourth reading, aims to better defend people's rights from being violated by the state. It is also hoped to cover the protection of detainees' rights following a series of deaths in the country's detention houses.

The session will also deliberate, for the second time, on a draft law on protection of oil and natural gas pipelines, according to a statement issued by the council.

The statement said a treaty on explosives left over from war and a Sino-Indonesian extradition treaty, both submitted by the State Council, or Cabinet, are expected to be ratified at the session.

Lawmakers will also discuss Cabinet reports on protection of migrant workers' rights, the development of the cultural industry, strengthening road safety management, the implementation of a law protecting Taiwan compatriots' investment, as well as a motion regarding appointments and dismissals.

At Friday's meeting, members of the Council of Chairmen expressed their condolences to victims of a deadly earthquake that hit Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Qinghai Province early Wednesday.

They also paid tribute to rescuers from the People's Liberation Army, armed police, among others at the forefront of quake relief.