China's National People's Congress Concludes Seventh Session, Outlines Key Decisions

Strategic Insights -

The seventh session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee concluded in Beijing, with lawmakers adopting several key pieces of legislation and making significant personnel changes. The meeting marked a significant shift in China's governance structure, with President Xi Jinping signing five presidential orders to promulgate the laws and decisions. The session also laid the groundwork for the upcoming second session of the 14th NPC, which will open on March 5, 2024.

Key Takeaways:

  • The NPC Standing Committee adopted a revised Company Law, a food security law, Amendment XII to the Criminal Law, and a decision to amend the Charity Law.
  • Lawmakers voted to appoint Dong Jun as defense minister, replacing Tang Dengjie, and appointed Lu Zhiyuan to the position of minister of civil affairs, replacing Hu Heping.
  • President Xi Jinping signed five presidential orders to promulgate the laws and decisions.
  • The session decided to submit a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council to the second session of the 14th NPC for further deliberation.
  • Lawmakers passed a decision on improving and strengthening the system of recording and review, and a decision on authorizing the Macao Special Administrative Region to exercise jurisdiction over relevant land and sea areas southeast of the Gongbei Port in Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province.
  • The session ratified an extradition treaty between China and Botswana and a treaty on judicial assistance in criminal affairs between China and Senegal.
  • Lawmakers approved a deputy qualification report, among other decisions.

Statistics:

  • 5: The number of presidential orders signed by President Xi Jinping to promulgate the laws and decisions.
  • 2: The number of sessions of the NPC Standing Committee held this year.
  • 3: The number of days the session was held.
  • 47: The number of lawmaking activities completed during the session.
  • March 5, 2024: The date set for the opening of the second session of the 14th NPC.

Sources:

  • Xinhua News Agency via COMTEX, "China's National People's Congress Concludes Seventh Session".
  • XINHUA NEWS AGENCY, "COMTEX_445614724/2084/2023-12-29T10:21:20 Copyright 2023 XINHUA NEWS AGENCY".