Zhang Dejiang (C, rear), chairman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress (NPC), presides over the closing meeting of the 27th session of the 12th NPC Standing Committee in Beijing, capital of China, April 27, 2017. (Xinhua/Ma Zhancheng)
INTERNATIONAL TREATIES
The legislature ratified an agreement on border defense cooperation among member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
The agreement, signed at the 15th SCO summit in the southwestern Russian city of Ufa in July 2015, aims to combat terrorism, separatism and extremism in border regions.
A treaty on exchange of convicted criminals between China and Tajikistan was also ratified Thursday.
The treaty allows convicted persons to serve prison sentences in their home countries to facilitate their rehabilitation.
APPOINTMENTS AND DISMISSALS
During the closing meeting, Hu Zejun was appointed auditor general of the National Audit Office to replace Liu Jiayi.
Shen Chunyao was appointed vice chairman of the NPC's Law Committee. He was also appointed chairman of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, replacing Li Shishi.
Zhang Xueqiao was appointed deputy procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.
The NPC Standing Committee also confirmed the resignations of several NPC deputies, including Yang Chongyong, Shi Guoxiang, Chen Xu, Yang Jingnong and Zhang Xiaolin.
The total number of NPC deputies now stands at 2,918.
After the session was concluded, an oath-taking ceremony was held for newly-appointed officials to pledge their allegiance to the Constitution.
