On November 2, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress convened its 25th meeting’s first plenary session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, with 154 committee members in attendance to meet the statutory quorum under the direction of Chairman Zhao Leji.
Legislative Revisions on Public Interest, Antarctica, and Water Security
Lawmakers reviewed multiple draft reports delivered by committee officials during the opening session. Huang Ming, vice chairperson of the National People’s Congress Constitution and Law Committee, presented the deliberation results for the draft procuratorial public interest litigation law, which refines case scope, jurisdiction rules, and trial and execution procedures. Zhou Guangquan, also vice chairperson of the Constitution and Law Committee, delivered reports on draft revisions for the Antarctic Activity and Environmental Protection Law and the anti-transnational corruption law. The Antarctic draft incorporates China’s global governance initiatives, protects the rights of domestic citizens and entities, and strengthens scientific research coordination, while the anti-transnational corruption draft sets compliance management standards for businesses engaged in cross-border operations.
Additionally, Cong Bin reported on the third deliberation draft of the water law revision, which sets comprehensive water security assurance as a target and bolsters water network regulations. Wang Hongxiang delivered updates on the state-owned assets law draft, focusing on development and security coordination, while Xin Chunying reported on financial law revisions aimed at supporting international financial center development and enhancing investor protection.
Did You Know? Exactly 154 members of the Standing Committee attended the plenary session at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 2, meeting the required statutory quorum to conduct official legislative business.
New Legislative Proposals on Criminal Procedure, Energy, and Taxation
The Council of Chairpersons submitted a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, explained by Shen Chunyao, director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, to strengthen human rights protections and judicial power regulation. The National People’s Congress Environment and Resources Protection Committee presented a draft revision of the Renewable Energy Law, introduced by Vice Chairperson E Jingping, to advance the green economic transition. State Council proposals covering the tax collection and administration law, presented by State Taxation Administration Head Hu Jinglin, and emergency response laws across 15 areas, explained by Justice Minister He Rong, were formally submitted for review.
The agenda also included an international pact review. Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying delivered an explanation regarding the agreement to establish the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation, reflecting expanding multilateral engagement in emerging technology frameworks.
Representative Reports and Personnel Appointments
Committee leaders including Yang Xiaochao, Zhong Shan, Lu Xinshe, Du Jiahao, and Yang Zhenwu presented reports on deputy proposals delivered during the 4th session of the 14th National People’s Congress. The session further reviewed a report on individual deputy credentials delivered by Yang Xiaochao, alongside various official appointment and removal items.
Other senior leaders present at the plenary session included Vice Chairpersons Li Hongzhong, Wang Dongming, Xiao Jie, Zheng Jianbang, Ding Zhongli, Hao Mingjin, Cai Dafeng, He Wei, Wu Weihua, Tie Ning, Peng Qinghua, Zhang Qingwei, Lobsang Gyaltsen, and Shohrat Zakir, alongside Secretary-General Liu Qi. State Councillor Wu Zhenglong, Supreme People’s Court President Zhang Jun, and Supreme People’s Procuratorate Prosecutor-General Ying Yong attended the meeting among other state and local officials.
Chairman Zhao Leji presides over the plenary session
Who presided over the 25th meeting’s first plenary session?
The meeting was presided over by Chairman Zhao Leji at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on the morning of November 2.
What specific areas does the draft anti-transnational corruption law address for businesses?
The draft second-review text expands legislative purposes and adds safeguards for state secrets, work secrets, commercial secrets, privacy, and personal information. It also mandates that domestic enterprises engaging in cross-border business operations establish appropriate integrity compliance management departments or personnel based on their scale, business scope, and risk control factors.
Which official delivered the explanation regarding the World Organization for Artificial Intelligence Cooperation agreement?
Vice Foreign Minister Hua Chunying delivered the explanation regarding the proposal to approve the agreement on behalf of the State Council.