Photo by Wang Xinqing
Chinese lawmakers are discussing a legal amendment to better protect the rights and interests of the disabled.
Legislators on Tuesday discussed for the second time the draft amendment of the Law on Protection of the Disabled at the 2nd Session of the 11th Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC).
The draft will add to articles about stable financial support, better medical care and rehabilitation for the disabled, and favorable jobs and tax policies.
"No-one can force the disabled into labor using violence, threats or depriving them of their personal freedom," the latest revision says.
The draft, a revision of a 1991 law, was drawn up to "tackle new circumstances and problems" cropping up amid economic and social advances, said Civil Affairs Minister Li Xueju.
The amendment was approved by the State Council in January, and underwent its first discussion in February at the 32nd session of the 10th NPC Standing Committee.
According to statistics released at the end of last year, China has about 83 million disabled people, accounting for 6.34 percent of the population.