The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, concluded its four-day session on Saturday, after approving the food safety law, an amendment to the criminal law and the revised insurance law.
President Hu Jintao signed decrees to publish the new law and the two amended laws. That needs to happen for them to take effect.
The concluding meeting was presided over by Wu Bangguo, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.
The top legislature also ratified a treaty on extradition with Mexico, a consular agreement with Japan and a bilateral treaty on civil and commercial judicial assistance with Peru.
The Credentials Committee of the NPC Standing Committee examined the qualification of all deputies to the Eleventh NPC. The total number now stands at 2,985, said Wu.
He said NPC deputies and members of the NPC Standing Committee and its special committees have given full support to the disaster relief and reconstruction work after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake struck southwest China's Sichuan Province in May 2008.
This year is vital for realizing the goals of the government's 11th Five-year Plan (2006-2010), dealing with the international financial crisis, keeping stable and rapid economic development, and sustaining a harmonious social environment, Wu said.
He urged all the NPC Standing Committee members to listen to the opinions of NPC deputies who will attend the second annual session of the Eleventh NPC in March, and fully respect their democratic rights.