Chinese lawmakers on Monday started deliberating a draft civil code as part of the priorities of a session rounding out the country's legislative work in 2019. 

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The draft civil code, consisting of general provisions and six sections on property, contracts, personality rights, marriage and family, inheritance, and torts, was submitted to the ongoing bimonthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, which will run from Monday to Saturday. 

According to work arrangements, the draft is expected to be submitted to the annual session of the NPC next year for deliberation. 

Yue Zhongming, spokesperson of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, summarized on Friday that the changes in the general provisions and six other sections of the draft included improving the system of the right of habitation, the provisions on sexual harassment, the definition of privacy and new rules on handling cyberspace torts.