China's top legislature has begun reviewing a United Nations protocol to combat human trafficking.
The State Council submitted the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons, Especially Women and Children, supplementing the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime to the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC) for ratification.
The protocol was adopted by the United Nations in 2000, and had been acceded to or ratified by 132 countries and the European Community by October this year.
According to the bill submitted to the NPC Standing Committee, ratification of the protocol would improve cooperation between China and other countries and international organizations in combating human trafficking.
China unveiled its first five-year (2008-2012) action plan for curbing human trafficking, particularly women and children in 2007. The Ministry of Public Security has set up an anti-trafficking office.