Lawmakers support empowering county, township-level legislatures

Zhang Dejiang(2nd R rear), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), attends a grouping discussion of the 16th meeting of the 12th NPC Standing Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2015. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

BEIJING, Aug. 26 -- Legislators on Wednesday expressed support for bills that would empower local legislatures, as they deliberated draft amendments to three laws on people's congresses.

The amendments were submitted to the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for their first reading on Monday.

The NPC praised the amendments -- which concerned the organization, election and staffing of legislatures -- for proposing measures that would modernize the system while adhering to the path of political development with Chinese characteristics.

The articles included the proposal that during adjournment the standing committee of township-level people's congresses should designate deputies to hear and review government reports that most concerned the public.

In addition, it was advised that there should be more members of the standing committees of county-level people's congresses, and they should be authorized to establish committees on law, finance and the economy.

Zhang Dejiang, chair of the NPC Standing Committee, was present at the group discussion.

Lawmakers also reviewed a draft amendment to the Commercial Bank Law, which proposed the removal of the 75 percent loan-to-deposit ratio stipulation, and a bill on limiting local-government debt.