Chinese lawmakers deliberate draft revision to Organic Law of the State Council

Chinese lawmakers on Tuesday began deliberations on a draft revision to the Organic Law of the State Council, the first revision of the law which was adopted in December 1982 when the country's current constitution was formulated.

Revising the law is a necessary step for the State Council to strengthen the all-around improvement of the government, said Li Hongzhong, vice chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, when explaining the bill at the opening meeting of the second session of the 14th NPC.

Li said that the draft revision provides an institutional guarantee for the State Council to adhere to its people-centered principle and its fundamental purpose of wholeheartedly serving the people. It's also an important part of the efforts to fully implement and enforce the constitution and establish a law-based government as well as an effective measure to reform the Communist Party of China and state institutions and modernize the country's system and capacity for governance, according to Li.

The draft revision, which contains 20 articles, adds provisions concerning the nature and position of the State Council per the constitution, which stipulates that the State Council, namely the Central People's Government, is the executive organ of the highest state organ of power, and it is the highest state administrative organ.

The draft explicitly outlines the State Council's commitment to building a law-based, innovation-driven and service-oriented government of integrity, among others.

It also refines the expressions regarding the functions and powers of the State Council and adds a provision that the State Council exercises unified leadership over the work of local state administrative organs at all levels nationwide.

The draft revises provisions on the members of the State Council, further clarifying the duties of vice premiers and state councilors. It adds the governor of the People's Bank of China as a member of the State Council.

It also modifies provisions on the State Council's departments and their duties and powers, and improves the meeting system of the State Council.

In addition, the draft revision introduces systems and measures to see that the State Council exercises its functions in full and in accordance with the law.

(With input from Xinhua)