By Special Correspondent

China adopted 24 laws and legal decisions in 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen governance and improve the socialist rule-of-law system with Chinese characteristics, according to a report presented at the national legislative session in Beijing.

The report on the work of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) states that lawmakers deliberated on 40 draft laws, legal interpretations and decisions during the year. Out of these, 24 were adopted, including six new laws, 14 revised laws, one legal interpretation and three decisions on legal matters and other significant issues.

The report notes that the NPC Standing Committee also made decisions on the ratification of nine treaties and important international agreements.

According to the report, legislative work in 2025 focused on strengthening legal frameworks in economic governance, social development, environmental protection, national security and public safety.

In the economic field, China enacted the Private Sector Promotion Law to support the development of the private economy and establish principles of fair competition, impartial treatment and equal protection for businesses.

Lawmakers also revised several major economic laws, including the Unfair Competition Law and the Civil Aviation Law. Draft revisions to the Enterprise Bankruptcy Law, the Banking Regulation Law, the Trademark Law and the Certified Public Accountants Law were also deliberated as part of broader efforts to strengthen the legal foundations of the socialist market economy.

The report states that legislation was also advanced in areas related to agriculture, trade and maritime governance. Lawmakers revised the Fisheries Law and the Foreign Trade Law and deliberated a draft law on the protection and quality improvement of cultivated land.

In the environmental field, China enacted the National Parks Law to establish a legal framework governing the planning, establishment, protection and management of national parks. The Environmental Protection Tax Law was also revised to extend taxation to all volatile organic compounds as part of efforts to improve air quality.

The report notes that lawmakers also strengthened legislation related to public health and social governance. China enacted the Law on Public Health Emergency Response and revised the Law on the Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases in order to improve the country’s systems and mechanisms for epidemic prevention and emergency response.

The Food Safety Law was also revised to strengthen regulatory oversight and improve safeguards for food safety.

Legislation was also introduced in the areas of national security and public safety. China enacted the Atomic Energy Law to support the peaceful use and safe development of nuclear technology and passed the Hazardous Chemicals Safety Law to improve safety management across the entire lifecycle of hazardous chemicals.

In addition, the Cybersecurity Law was revised to strengthen legal accountability in cybersecurity and enhance the protection of data security and personal information.

The report states that China also advanced a comprehensive review of existing laws and legal documents in order to maintain the unity and consistency of the legal system.

During the year, authorities conducted a systematic review of existing laws, legal interpretations and decisions on legal matters. Following this review, the NPC Standing Committee invalidated 104 outdated laws, legal interpretations and legal decisions in accordance with legal procedures.

According to the report, the legislative work carried out in 2025 aimed to improve governance through high-quality legislation and provide stronger legal support for economic and social development.

The report states that China will continue strengthening legislation in key, emerging and foreign-related areas to support the country’s development goals and modernization process.

Credit: INP-WealthPk