China considers new law to enhance diplomatic personnel management

BEIJING, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature Tuesday began its second reading of the first draft law on diplomatic personnel, focusing on life accident insurance and easing conditions for marriage.

The draft, submitted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the Standing Committee of the 11th National People's Congress (NPC) for a first reading in June, will be the first of its kind to regulate Chinese government agents working in the 171 countries with which China has diplomatic ties.

The draft law had integrated recommendations solicited from the public on the official website of the NPC, npc.gov.cn, with opinions by holding symposiums among diplomats and experts after the first reading.

The draft stipulates that diplomats will be provided with life accident insurance along with necessary medical care and safety which were already in the first draft.

The draft also eases terms on marriage. In the first review, the draft mandated that diplomats intending to marry must have their prospective spouses vetted. According to the second version, diplomats only have to report the information about their prospective spouses before marriage.

In particular, people whose spouses had acquired foreign nationality or long-term, permanent residence permits would not qualify for diplomatic work abroad.

The draft lifts the minimum age for a diplomat from 18 to 23. It also specifies the roles of ambassador, consul general and consul as the chief executives of embassies, consulate-generals and consulates respectively.

China has about 5,000 diplomats serving in more than 250 embassies, consulates general and other overseas posts.