The 8th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress concluded in Beijing today with a significant decision to pass the newly revised Law on Keeping State Secrets. President Xi Jinping signed the presidential order and announced it, marking a milestone in national security legislation. The meeting was presided over by Chairman Zhao Leji.
A total of 165 members of the Standing Committee attended the meeting, meeting the quorum requirement. The meeting also approved the draft work report of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee and recommended Chairman Zhao Leji to report on the work to the Second Session of the 14th National People’s Congress.
In addition to passing the Law on Keeping State Secrets, the meeting also approved the report of the Representative Qualification Review Committee and voted on various appointments and dismissals. The draft agenda and list of attendees for the upcoming session of the National People’s Congress were also approved.
Notable attendees at the meeting included Vice Chairman Li Hongzhong and other members of the Standing Committee, as well as representatives from the State Council, Supreme People’s Court, and Supreme People’s Procuratorate. After the closing meeting, a special lecture on “Chinese-Style Modernization and the Rule of Law” was held, chaired by Chairman Zhao Leji.
The decisions made at the 8th meeting of the Standing Committee of the 14th National People’s Congress will have far-reaching implications for national security and governance.