A draft law that allows the Chinese government to mobilize most of its adult population for defense duties, has been submitted to the ongoing session of China's top legislature for a second reading.
All men aged from 18 to 60 and women aged from 18 to 55 should assist in combat and rescue missions and help maintain public order if national defense mobilization is declared, according to the draft law.
The draft law was submitted to ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress that began Tuesday.
Only people working in elementary schools, kindergartens, orphanages and other social welfare organizations as well as the United Nations will be exempted.
The draft law gives the authority to declare national mobilization to the State Council and the Central Military Commission when "the country's sovereignty, unification, territorial integrity and national security are directly threatened".
Senior legislators stressed that national defense mobilization should be cautiously considered before being declared since it may limit the rights and freedom of citizens and organizations.