China Set for Multiple Legal Reforms in September Session

On 26-8-2025, the 48th Chairman’s Meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress (‘NPC’) convened at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Presided over by Chairman Zhao Leji, the meeting concluded with the decision to hold the 17th session of the Standing Committee from September 8th to 12th, featuring a comprehensive legislative agenda.

Key highlights:

1. The Chairman’s Meeting recommended a robust slate of draft laws and amendments for deliberation, reflecting China’s evolving priorities in governance, public safety, environmental protection, and international cooperation.

2. The upcoming session will deliberate on a wide array of draft laws and amendments, including:

   • Atomic Energy Law

   • Public Health Emergency Response Law

   • National Park Law

   • Arbitration Law

   • Rule of Law Publicity and Education Law

   • Cybersecurity Law (Amendment)

   • Prison Law (Amendment)

   • Food Safety Law (Amendment)

   • Hazardous Chemical Safety Law

   • Environmental Protection Tax Law (Amendment)

   • Ecological and Environmental Code:

     ■ General Provisions

     ■ Ecological Protection Law

     ■ Green and Low-carbon Development Law

   • Enterprise Bankruptcy Law (Amendment)

   • National Development Planning Law

   • National Common Language and Writing Law (Amendment)

3. In addition to domestic legislation, the Standing Committee will consider ratifying two international treaties between the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia:

   • Treaty on judicial assistance in Civil and Commercial matters

   • Extradition Treaty

4. The session will review critical reports from the State Council, covering the implementation of the national economic and social development plan, budget execution, government debt management for 2024, and progress on climate change and carbon neutrality goals. Additional reports will address the integration of culture and tourism, the pilot reform of water resources taxation, and the enforcement of the Trade Union Law.

5. The Chairman will present a written report on his recent diplomatic visits to Kyrgyzstan, Hungary, and Switzerland, including his participation in the Sixth World Conference of Speakers.

6. The session is set to examine the qualifications of individual deputies, review appointments and dismissals, and hear findings from special research related to the preparation of China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

7. The meeting analysed and evaluated the following reports:

   • A report on the country’s economic performance in 2025

   • A report on petition work conducted by NPC organs since February 2025

8. Secretary-General Liu Qi unveiled the draft agenda and schedule for the upcoming session, as senior officials and committee heads delivered legislative reports before an assembly of prominent attendees including Li Hongzhong, Wang Dongming, Xiao Jie, and Zheng Jianbang.