China's top legislature to review draft law on Antarctic activities, environmental protection

BEIJING, Oct. 22 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature will deliberate on the draft law on Antarctic activities and environmental protection during its upcoming session, marking the third review of the draft law.

This drone photo taken on Dec. 18, 2023 shows the construction site of China's Qinling Station in Antarctica. China's Qinling Station in Antarctica, the country's fifth research station in the continent, started operation on Wednesday. (Photo: Xinhua)

The enactment of the law was listed on the legislative plan of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee for 2026. The previous two reviews took place in December 2025 and June this year, respectively.

The 14th NPC Standing Committee will hold its 25th session from Nov. 2 to 6, according to a Thursday meeting of the Council of Chairpersons of the standing committee presided over by NPC Standing Committee Chairman Zhao Leji.

Apart from the draft law on Antarctic affairs, lawmakers at the session will review draft laws on public interest litigation by procuratorates, state-owned assets and finance, a draft law against cross-border corruption, and a draft revision to the Water Law.

They will review bills for deliberation on a draft amendment to the Criminal Procedure Law, and draft revisions to the Renewable Energy Law and the Tax Collection Administration Law, among other draft amendments.

A bill for deliberation on the ratification of the agreement on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization will also be reviewed at the session.