The second plenary meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 7, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

BEIJING – China's top legislator on Tuesday urged the National People's Congress (NPC) to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests.

Li Zhanshu, chairman of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC, made the remarks while delivering a work report at the second plenary meeting of the first session of the 14th NPC.

The session is hearing work reports of the Standing Committee of the 13th NPC, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate, as well as a plan on the reform of the State Council institutions.

Xi Jinping and other Chinese leaders attended the plenary meeting.

ALSO READ: 2nd plenum of 14th CPPCC National Committee's 1st session

The NPC must carry out its political responsibilities as the national legislature, Li said in his report, urging it to step up to the front lines of any legal struggle without the slightest hesitation whenever the country requires.

Work plan set

The Standing Committee of the NPC has set a plan for the legislative work this year, according to the report.

It will further improve institutions and procedures for constitutional review, improve the legal system for the socialist market economy, and work faster to make laws that improve the people's wellbeing, promote scientific and technological, social, and cultural progress, and protect the environment.

The legislative bodies must adhere to the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics, and remain committed to the major concept of whole-process people's democracy and the people's congress system, Li Zhanshu said

The report also reviewed the legislative work over the past five years, saying that the national legislature formulated 47 laws and conducted 111 rounds of revision to existing laws.  

Requirements of people's congress system

In his report, Li noted that the people's congresses must uphold the leadership of the Communist Party of China and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.

READ MORE: Unification of Taiwan Straits gets popular amongst the people

The legislative bodies must adhere to the path of socialist political advancement with Chinese characteristics, and remain committed to the major concept of whole-process people's democracy and the people's congress system, Li said.

They are also obliged to adhere to the nation's fundamental tasks, development path, and goals as written in the Constitution, Li added.

Authority, sanctity of Constitution upheld in NPC work

According to the report, the 13th NPC has ensured the full implementation of the Constitution and upheld its authority and sanctity during its five-year term.

Over the past five years, improvements have been made to the Constitution and other relevant laws.

The second plenary meeting of the first session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) is held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, March 7, 2023. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

In particular, the NPC adopted the Constitutional amendment, which made it clear that the leadership of the Communist Party of China is the defining feature of socialism with Chinese characteristics. 

The constitutional amendment also established the guiding role of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in China's political and social activities.

The NPC revised the Electoral Law and submitted the draft revisions of the NPC Organic Law to the NPC for deliberation.

READ MORE: HK and Macao figures: Work report lays out path for cities

An amendment to the Legislation Law is under review at the ongoing NPC session.

The top legislature has maintained the constitutional order in the special administrative regions (SAR), read the report.

It has enacted laws and adopted decisions related to the SARs, including the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR and a decision on improving the electoral system of Hong Kong SAR, which have fully demonstrated the central government exercises overall jurisdiction over the SARs and provided a strong legal foundation for Hong Kong's entry into a new stage.

The ongoing annual session of the NPC, which started on March 5, will run through March 13.