1st LD-Writethru: China Focus: China defines overall national security outlook in draft law

A draft law on the overall national security strategy, which highlighted political and public security, was heard by the top legislature on Monday.

The national security law was tabled for its second reading during the bimonthly session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), which runs from Monday to Friday.

Compared to its first reading, the draft for the second reading clearly defined the overall national security outlook put forward by President Xi Jinping at the first meeting of the National Security Commission in April last year.

Xi, who heads the commission, in April said that a "national security path with Chinese characteristics" should be explored. He said a system should be built that covers politics; territory; military; economy; culture; society; science and technology; information; ecology; nuclear; and natural resources.

The National Security Commission was established on November 2013 by the Third Plenary Session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

National security work should ensure political and public security, Li Shishi, director of the Commission for Legislative Affairs of the NPC Standing Committee, told the session.

Economic security is the basis of national security, and military, cultural as well as social security are safeguarding measures, according to the draft, which also included mention of international security, Li said.

The overall outlook will protect national security in all fields, through a system that follows "China's own way".

The draft law included more clauses pertaining to important industries and sectors deemed vital to the economy, which would prevent financial risks through the development of financial infrastructure and capabilities, and a grain security system.

The draft law called for reinforced education and dissemination of socialist core values, to prevent the infiltration of harmful moral standards.

The establishment of systems for cyber and information security, and national sovereignty in cyber space were also addressed.

The draft law stipulates mechanisms for national security work in intelligence collection and research; as well as inter-departmental coordination and evaluation. Supervision and accountability should also feature in all security work.

It also added a clause that said the people should abide by the new laws and regulations, and no individual or organization should undermine national security.

The first National Security Law took effect in 1993. It became the Counterespionage Law on Nov. 1 last year. Endi