国内英语新闻:Chinese legislature to further discuss amendment to Criminal Law

BEIJING, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature said Monday in a statement that it will continue discussing a draft amendment to the Criminal Law, which proposes tougher punishments for those involved in organized crime and drink-driving.

Members of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will discuss the draft amendment at an upcoming bi-monthly session scheduled for Dec. 20-25, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the chairman and vice-chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over by chairman Wu Bangguo.

The legislature conducted the first reading of the draft amendment in August.

Wu Bangguo (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the 54th chairpersons' meeting of the 11th NPC Standing Committee at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 13, 2010.

NPC Standing Committee members will also continue to discuss a draft revision of the Law on Water and Soil Conservation, and to review a law on safeguarding China's intangible cultural heritage.

According to the statement, they will consider a bill on a draft resolution to convene the fourth annual session of the 11th NPC.

The NPC annual session will examine three reports from the State Council on boosting economic and social development in ethnic minority areas, deepening reform of health care system and stepping up the development of the service sector.