The draft law on anti-terrorism will be put to a third reading and a vote "in due time" based on the top legislature's plan for 2015, an NPC official said on Monday.

The bill underwent two readings in October last year and in February, respectively, said Wang Aili, head of the criminal law division of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, at a press conference on the sidelines of the ongoing legislative session.

"Normally, according to China's Legislation Law, a bill will be put to a vote after three readings," Wang said.

The bill was drafted to meet the needs of China's anti-terrorism efforts and global developments, he said.

It defines terrorism as "any speech or activity that, by means of violence, sabotage or threat, generates social panic, undermines public security, and menaces government organs and international organizations."

It provides for anti-terror measures on Internet security, transport, dangerous substance control, terrorism financing prevention and border control.

It also seeks to strike a balance between combating extremism and protecting people's rights. In particular, security authorities' access to citizens' information via telecom and Internet technology now must undergo "strict approval procedures," the draft stressed.