China's top legislature adopts tort law

BEIJING: China's top legislature ended its five-day bimonthly session Saturday, approving tort liability and island protection laws and an amendment to the renewable energy law.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), told the closing meeting that the Tort Law was significant in "protecting civil rights and people's interests, preventing and punishing infringement acts, reducing conflicts and promoting social harmony and stability."

The top legislator said the amendment to the renewable energy law would "greatly promote a healthy and rapid development of the renewable energy sector and adjust energy structure to strengthen the building of an environment-friendly and resource-saving society."

The island protection law would play a key role in protecting islands' eco-system, rationally utilizing natural resources and safeguarding the country's marine rights, Wu said.

The session also examined two reports from the State Council on employment and boosting development of small and medium-sized enterprises.

It also voted to ratify a United Nations protocol to combat human trafficking -- the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) of China, the country's top legislature, addresses the 12th session of the 11th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 26, 2009. [Xinhua]

The session also approved a pact on criminal judicial assistance between China and Malta.

It voted to appoint Han Changfu, former governor of northeastern Jilin Province, as agricultural minister.

The meeting also decided to open the annual plenary session of the NPC on March 5 next year.