China's legislative body advanced sweeping legal reforms over the past year, enacting six new laws and revising 14 others to support economic modernization and social governance, according to a National People's Congress (NPC) report released this week.
Economic Modernization Drive
The NPC Standing Committee prioritized market-oriented reforms through landmark legislation including the Private Sector Promotion Law, which establishes equal protection principles for businesses. Revisions to the Unfair Competition Law aim to foster a credit-based economy, while updates to maritime, arbitration, and foreign trade laws align Chinese regulations with international standards.
Public Welfare Priorities
New public health legislation includes the Law on Public Health Emergency Response and updated infectious disease controls, reflecting lessons from recent global health challenges. Cybersecurity Law revisions strengthen data protection frameworks as digital transformation accelerates across industries.
Security and Innovation Synergy
The newly enacted Atomic Energy Law supports peaceful nuclear applications, complementing oversight measures for technological innovation integration. NPC leaders emphasized these changes during deliberations at the ongoing fourth session of the 14th NPC, which began review of the report on March 7.
Oversight and Implementation
Legislators conducted rigorous fiscal monitoring and law enforcement inspections while reviewing State Council reports on developing advanced productive forces. These efforts aim to ensure legal frameworks effectively support China's 2025 development targets and high-standard opening-up policies.
