Photo taken on Feb. 26 , 2008 shows the venue of the 32nd session of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China. China's national legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC) has examined and confirmed Tuesday the qualification of 2,987 newly-elected deputies. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Thursday adopted an amended water pollution law that toughens punishment of company officials through hefty fines.

    The Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law was passed at the 32nd session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which concluded here on Thursday.

    The law, with eight chapters and 92 provisions, will take effect on June 1.

    "Enterprise heads directly responsible for causing severe water pollution incidents and others with direct responsibility will be fined up to half of their income of the previous year," said the law.

    Enterprises would be held responsible for 30 percent of the direct loss of any serious water pollution incident they cause and20 percent for incidents of medium consequences.

    Previously, corporate executives faced only administrative penalties.

    The law also stipulated that the country would set up its water protection goal as well as an assessment system, which would be applied to local officials.

    Whether they reach the goal will be directly connected with their performance evaluation, according to the law.

    Water pollution is among the top environmental concerns of the Chinese government and the public.

    A 2006 survey found that surface water generally was classified as containing intermediate levels of pollution, but one third of the 744 samples tested were graded at the worst pollution rating.

The Council of Chairmen of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, hold a meeting in Beijing, Feb. 27, 2008, to examine the qualification of newly-elected deputies to the 11th NPC. Wu Bangguo(C), chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over the meeting on Wednesday. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

China legislature confirms validity of new deputies

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the Tenth National People's Congress (NPC), China's national legislature, confirmed Thursday the validity of all the 2,987 newly-elected deputies to the First Session of the 11th NPC.

    The qualification of the new deputies was confirmed through a voting at the 32nd session of the tenth NPC Standing Committee.

NPC Standing Committee appoints new legislative, budget directors

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Li Shishi has been appointed director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.

    Zhu Zhigang has been appointed director of the Budgetary Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee.

Top legislature disqualifies delegate over bribe case

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, on Thursday disqualified Chen Shili.

    Chen was involved in an investigation in a criminal case, in which he was suspected of taking bribes.

Three rural migrant workers enter China's top legislature

    BEIJING, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- China's National People's Congress(NPC) confirmed Thursday the qualification of three rural migrant workers as its newly-elected deputies, making them the first batch of "spokespersons" for about 200 million migrant laborers in the top legislature.

    They were approved for a five-year term as the 11th NPC deputy at the 32nd session of the 10th NPC Standing Committee concluded here Thursday, and will attend the upcoming first plenary session of the 11th NPC.