Lawmakers weigh China's draft national security law

Lawmakers on Thursday debated the draft national security law, which seeks to include China's assets and activities in space, as well as in deep sea and polar regions in a fine-tuned legal framework protecting national interests.

The draft law -- tabled for a third reading by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee -- said China would peacefully explore and exploit outer space, the international sea bed areas and polar regions.

The country will develop entry and exit security, scientific capacity, as well as enhance international cooperation, and safeguard activity and asset security on "new strategic frontiers", it read, adding that response and defense capacities against nuclear threats and attacks would also be made stronger.

If adopted, it will replace the Counterespionage Law, which took effect in 1993.

An NPC statement issued on Thursday, following a panel discussion on the draft law, said legislation on national security is an imperative and pressing undertaking "in the face of new circumstances and missions in the sphere of national security."

Lawmakers said the draft law had laid solid ground for the establishment of a national security system and the legalization of national security undertakings.

The draft law is ready to be put to a vote, lawmakers said while suggesting that it be adopted at the end of the NPC Standing Committee's bimonthly session after further revisions. Enditem