2. We made decisions on carrying out trials of accelerated procedures for certain criminal cases and establishing intellectual property rights courts.

In line with the CPC Central Committee's plans for deepening judicial structural reform, the NPC Standing Committee made the decision on authorizing the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate to carry out trials of accelerated procedures for certain criminal cases in some localities and the decision on establishing intellectual property rights courts in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, thus providing a legal basis and support for the efforts to improve criminal litigation procedures and the system of judicial protection for intellectual property rights. We urged relevant departments to conscientiously and properly carry out their part of this work in accordance with the law, sum up their experience in the work, and report their progress to the Standing Committee.

3. We made decisions on authorizing the State Council to make provisional adjustments to the enforcement of certain laws in pilot free trade zones and in 33 pilot counties, county-level cities, and districts.

Acting in line with the Central Committee's reform decisions, and on the basis of careful deliberation of motions put forward by the State Council, the NPC Standing Committee adopted the decision on authorizing the State Council to make provisional adjustments to items requiring government review as prescribed by certain laws for the three new pilot free trade zones in Guangdong, Tianjin, and Fujian, as well as for the extended areas of the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, and the decision on authorizing the State Council to make provisional adjustments to the enforcement of certain laws in 33 pilot counties, county-level cities, and districts including Daxing District of Beijing. These two decisions provide a legal basis and support for advancing relevant reforms, embodying the principle of pushing forward with reform on the basis of rule of law and increasing the level of rule of law through the process of reform.

4. We made decisions on instituting the National Constitution Day and Martyrs' Day.

In the spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, the NPC Standing Committee adopted the decision on instituting the National Constitution Day, establishing in law December 4th as China's National Constitution Day and further stipulating that the state should carry out various forms of publicity and educational activities pertaining to the Constitution. The establishment of the National Constitution Day is conducive to improving public awareness of the Constitution, fostering the spirit of the Constitution, and strengthening the enforcement of the Constitution.

In recent years, deputies to the NPC, members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), and people from all sectors of society have, in various ways, made proposals and suggestions on establishing a national day to commemorate revolutionary martyrs and called for improvement in work related to the commemoration of martyrs. Therefore, the Standing Committee adopted the decision on making September 30th Martyrs' Day. This is the third memorial day established by the Standing Committee in accordance with the law, following the Victory Day in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the National Memorial Day for the Nanjing Massacre Victims. The solemn commemoration of such events through memorial activities has greatly promoted patriotism and core socialist values.

The Standing Committee ratified, in accordance with the law, 13 treaties and agreements with foreign countries or international conventions that China concluded, and decided or approved appointments or removals for a number of employees of state bodies.

IV. We made our oversight work more targeted and effective by adhering to a problem-oriented approach.

In order to advance the implementation of major policies and plans of the CPC Central Committee and ensure proper and effective enforcement of the law, the Standing Committee practiced its oversight in accordance with the law, focusing on major issues concerning reform, development, and stability as well as difficult issues which had garnered broad attention from NPC deputies and the public. Over the past year, we listened to and deliberated on 13 work reports from the State Council, the Supreme People's Court, and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, investigated compliance with 4 laws, conducted 3 special inquiries, and carried out research on 4 special topics.

1. We helped promote stable and sound development of the economy.

The Standing Committee listened to and deliberated on the State Council's report on the implementation of the 2013 plan for national economic and social development and the State Council's report on strengthening financial monitoring and regulation to prevent financial risks, and investigated compliance with the Patent Law and the Tourism Law.

With the increase of domestic and international uncertainties and the coming of a new normal in China's economic development, we urged relevant departments to faithfully implement the decisions and plans of the CPC Central Committee on economic work, stick to the principle of achieving a stable performance while at the same time securing progress and the idea of promoting reform and innovation, place even greater importance on growth model transformation and structural adjustments, boost domestic demand and especially consumer demand, actively foster new economic growth areas, and enhance the quality and returns of economic growth along with its internal driving force. (More)


Full Text: Work report of NPC Standing Committee (5)