国内英语新闻:China's top legislature concludes standing committee session

BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, closed its legislative session Tuesday after completing its legislative agenda, including adopting a decision for the sixth Legislative Council (LegCo) of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) to continue performing duties.

The NPC Standing Committee also adopted the law on urban maintenance and construction tax and the deed tax law. President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders to promulgate the laws.

Xi signed another presidential order awarding four persons the national medal and honorary title for their outstanding contribution to fighting the COVID-19 epidemic.

At the closing meeting, lawmakers passed a decision to appoint Xiao Yaqing as the new minister of industry and information technology, and Hu Heping the minister of culture and tourism. Xi signed a presidential order to remove and appoint the ministers based on the decision.