NPC Standing Committee concludes session, adopts five laws

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, China's top legislative body, adopted five laws on Friday and appointed Li Changguan as the new minister of civil affairs.

Li, 57, from the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, replaces Lu Zhiyuan, according to a decision made by the NPC Standing Committee as it concluded its session.

During the closing meeting, the NPC Standing Committee passed new laws on healthcare security and farmland protection and quality improvement. It also adopted revised versions of the agriculture law, the national defense mobilization law, and the lawyers law.

The healthcare security law, set to take effect on Jan 1, 2027, aims to enhance healthcare services and strengthen the national healthcare security system. The amended agriculture law focuses on improving food security, increasing farmers' incomes, and advancing agricultural modernization.

In addition, the meeting approved the removal of Zhang Youxia from his position as vice-chairman of China's Central Military Commission and dismissed Liu Zhenli from the commission.