Special report: Reconstruction After Earthquake

    BEIJING, June 16 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature is to review later this month a report, tabled by the State Council, the Cabinet, on the disaster relief and reconstruction that followed the devastating May 12 earthquake.

Wu Bangguo (C Back), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the fifth meeting of the chairman and vice-chairpersons of the 11th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, China, June 16, 2008.  (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    The third session of the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) was expected to convene from June 24 to 26, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the chairman and vice-chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, on Monday.

    Under the proposed agenda, lawmakers taking part in the session would deliberate the draft state-owned assets law, the draft law on the recycling economy, and a draft amendment to the Fire Control Law.

    During the session, lawmakers would also deliberate a draft plan for an adjustment to the central budget for 2008, tabled by the State Council.

    Four international pacts are due to be ratified during the session: the United Nations Convention of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the Treaty on Long-term Good-neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation among the member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO); a treaty with Algeria on judicial assistance on criminal cases; and an extradition treaty with Algeria.

    Monday's meeting has decided to postpone the review of a draft amendment to the "Law on Precautions Against Earthquake and Relief of Disaster", a draft amendment to the Insurance Law, and two reports tabled by the State Council which were on the original agenda due to the pressure of the quake relief and reconstruction work.