China's lawmakers file 514 bills at annual legislative session

Staff members of the secretariat of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) work in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2017. According to the secretariat, this year's NPC session received 514 motions and 8,360 suggestions. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

BEIJING -- National lawmakers have filed 514 bills with the secretariat of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC), an official said Monday.

According to Kong Ping, an official with the secretariat, 492 of the bills deal with legislation, 16 with NPC supervision and six with other issues.

Major topics include deepening the national supervisory system reform, improving the legal system, developing socialist democracy, boosting cultural sectors, enhancing people's well-being and promoting ecological protection.

Around 68 percent of the bills are based on investigations, inspections or interviews, Kong said.

Bills from NPC deputies can be legally binding if they are adopted. Last year, 462 bills were filed.

The secretariat has also received 8,360 suggestions from NPC deputies, which are less formal and will not be legally binding.

Staff members of the secretariat of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) work in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2017. According to the secretariat, this year's NPC session received 514 motions and 8,360 suggestions. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)

A staff member of the secretariat of the fifth session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) introduces the documents of suggestions in Beijing, capital of China, March 13, 2017. According to the secretariat, this year's NPC session received 514 motions and 8,360 suggestions. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)