This photo taken on March 4, 2023 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China. (PHOTO / XINHUA)

An amendment to the Criminal Law was passed by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislature, on Friday.

The amended law, which will take effect on March 1, has intensified the fight against bribe-givers, stating that those offering bribes repeatedly, to multiple people, or parties involved in major national projects should be harshly punished.

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People who give bribes to staff members of supervisory, administrative or judicial departments, or bribe in fields such as environment, finance, safety production, drug and food, social insurance, rescue relief, education or healthcare, also need to face severe punishment, the law added.

Company law

China's lawmakers on Friday voted to adopt a revised Company Law, which will take effect on July 1, 2024.

The newly revised law, with a total of 15 chapters, including those related to foreign company branches and legal liabilities of companies, was adopted at the seventh session of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, China's top legislature.

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The law was enacted for the purposes of regulating the organization and conduct of companies and protecting the lawful rights and interests of companies, shareholders, employees, and creditors.

Charity law amended

The lawmakers also voted to adopt an amendment to the Charity Law.

The amended law will take effect on Sept 5, 2024. 

With Xinhua inputs