Full coverage: 2017 NPC & CPPCC Sessions

(Source: CGTN)

China's Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC standing committee has held a press conference on the sidelines of the Two sessions.

Zhang Rongshun and Xu Anbiao, vice-chairmen of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, and Wang Aili, director-general of the Office of Criminal Laws of the Legislative Affairs Commission of NPC Standing Committee, take questions on the draft general provisions of civil law and legislation of the NPC at a press conference for the fifth session of the 12th NPC in Beijing, capital of China, March 9, 2017. (Xinhua/Li Xin)

They briefed the media on the draft of the general rules of civil law and the NPC's legislative work. The draft of the general provisions of civil law is the first step toward making a comprehensive civil code, a collection of laws that will protect civil rights.

Experts and legislators believe now is the time to create the draft because of greater social development, rule of law and experience in handling civil court cases. The NPC standing committee last year read the draft and received over 70,000 suggestions from the public.