国内英语新闻:Lawmakers deliberate draft international criminal judicial assistance law

BEIJING, Oct. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday reviewed a draft law on international criminal judicial assistance during panel discussions at the ongoing bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

According to the draft law, if a suspect is a citizen of a receiving country and if their acts constitute a crime in both countries, they can be transferred home for criminal punishment.

The Ministry of Justice will shoulder corresponding responsibilities when dealing with cases related to transferring and managing offenders, the draft reads.

Considering what China has achieved in its efforts to repatriate criminals in recent years, the law will play an important role, said Yang Zhen, a member of the NPC Standing Committee, during panel discussions, adding proviso clauses such as "under no conditions should China's sovereignty and laws be infringed" should be added.

Zhang Sujun, another lawmaker, said he recommends putting the draft law to a vote during the five-day session, on the grounds that criminal judicial assistance could not only help China in bringing home criminals, but also could help catch notorious criminals from other countries.

Zhou Guangquan, vice chairman of the NPC's Constitution and Law Committee, said on Monday that with a growing demand for the transfer and management of offenders between China and other countries, it is necessary to make special regulations for better international cooperation.

Zhou proposed clauses in the draft law which help standardize the transfer and management of offenders between China and other countries.