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

BEIJING, Jan. 22 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its 25th session Friday in Beijing.

Lawmakers adopted the revised Law on Animal Epidemic Prevention, the revised Administrative Penalty Law and a law on the coast guard at the closing meeting.

President Xi Jinping signed presidential orders to promulgate the above laws.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the meeting, which was attended by 160 NPC Standing Committee members.

Commenting on the three laws, Li said the coast guard law provides legal guarantees for effectively safeguarding national sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests.

The revised Law on Animal Epidemic Prevention highlights protecting people's lives and health and improving the legal system for animal-health management, while the revised Administrative Penalty Law advances the building of a law-based government, Li said.

Lawmakers ratified a decision on establishing the Beijing Financial Court, a treaty on the transfer of sentenced persons between China and Belgium, and an extradition treaty with Morocco.

Li said the decision on establishing the Beijing Financial Court serves the implementation of the country's financial strategy.

They also adopted reports on the deliberation of NPC deputies' proposals, and bills related to deputies' qualifications and personnel matters.

Calling for solid efforts to fulfill this year's tasks, Li stressed upholding the Party's overall leadership of the work of the people's congresses and asked the NPC Standing Committee to effectively play its important role in comprehensively advancing law-based governance.

Efforts should be made to effectively uphold the people's status as masters of the country and improve the NPC Standing Committee in all respects, Li said.

Li also called for good preparations for the fourth annual session of the 13th NPC, together with outstanding achievements, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China.

Li also presided over a meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee before the closing meeting.