NPC passes social aid law to protect the vulnerable

China's top legislature voted on Thursday to adopt a law on social assistance, aimed at strengthening basic living support and providing a stronger safety net for vulnerable groups. The law was passed after its third reading at a legislative session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which runs from Monday to Thursday. The law will take effect on July 1. With 78 articles in seven chapters, the law sets out general provisions, beneficiaries and types of assistance, assistance procedures, participation of social forces, supervision and safeguards, legal liabilities, and others. The social assistance law, a foundational piece of social security legislation, provides solid legal guarantees to promote the development of high-quality social assistance and ensure that all Chinese people benefit from the country's reform and development. The NPC also voted to adopt revisions to the Prison Law. The revised law will take effect on November 1. Increasing the number of articles to 121 from 78, the revised law stipulates enhanced supervision by procuratorial agencies over the execution of prison sentences and standardises prison management in greater detail. It also includes provisions on the protection of the inmates' legitimate rights and interests as well as requirements for prisons, courts and procuratorates to handle commutation and release on parole cases in accordance with the law and in a timely and fair manner. (Xinhua) Edited by Thomas McAlinden