China's top legislature adopts law on rural land disputes

• Source: Xinhua
• [13:35 June 28 2009]
• Comments

Wu Bangguo (C), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), addresses the closing session of the ninth session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress, in Beijing, capital of China, on June 27, 2009. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

China's top legislature concluded its six-day, bimonthly session Saturday, after approving several laws, including one on rural land disputes aiming to ensure rural stability.

President Hu Jintao signed decrees to publish the law on the mediation and arbitration of rural land contract disputes, the revised Law on Statistics and a decision to abolish eight outdated or redundant laws.

The concluding meeting was presided over by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), or top legislature.

The ninth session of the 11th NPC Standing Committee also adopted a revision to the government's 2008 final accounts, an audit report and a decision to lease land in Guangdong to Macao as a new site for the University of Macao.

Wu said the law on the mediation and arbitration of rural land contract disputes is based on the actual condition of rural areas, giving consideration to the convenience of the broad masses of people, bring into full play the role of mediation and arbitration and specifying measures and procedures that provide a legal basis for settling rural land disputes and ensuring farmers' rights.

"It's also significant in strengthening rural land operation systems, improving land contract relations and promoting rural development and social stability," Wu said.

The revision to the Law on Statistics mainly focused on falsification in statistical work, Wu said, adding the revision improved the law by preventing official interference in statistical work, reinforcing responsibility and enhancing punishment so as to ensure the authenticity and credibility of data.

"During the deliberation, members of the NPC Standing Committee agreed with the judgement that this year has been the toughest for the country's economic development since the new century," he said.

The government's fiscal revenue dropped in the first five months year on year, according to a report submitted to the session.

Wu called on the State Council (cabinet) and relevant departments to take measures such as enhancing taxation while implementing structural tax reduction policies, improving the efficiency of fund use, practicing frugality, opposing extravagance and actively deepening fiscal system reform.

He asked the departments concerned to rectify problems in implementing the budget, as found by audit authorities, and report to the top legislature the progress before the year-end.

Officials involved in such problems would be punished according to law.

Wu said lawmakers had been deeply concerned about the reconstruction of quake-hit areas in Sichuan Province after the region was struck by the May 12, 2008 quake, and heard a report about reconstruction at this legislative meeting.

Lawmakers said the reconstruction work was "an important project concerning people's life and development" and efforts should be made to resolve housing problems for the poor as well rebuild public facilities such as schools, hospitals, transportation and water-conservation projects.