Wang Chen, vice-chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, walks to a podium at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on March 7, 2017. (XU JINGXING)

BEIJING - Chinese lawmakers started deliberating a draft civil code Friday at the annual session of the country's national legislature.

Wang Chen, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), read an explanatory document on the draft civil code to deputies attending the third session of the 13th NPC.

READ MORE: Draft decision on HK national security legislation tabled in NPC