China's draft law calls for fair, equitable global anti-corruption governance system

BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature began deliberating a draft law on combating cross-border corruption, which includes a provision on promoting the building of a fair and equitable global anti-corruption governance system.

This photo taken on Oct 16, 2022 shows the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (File photo: Xinhua)

The draft was submitted for its second reading at a session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which runs through Friday.

The draft further elaborates on the legislative purpose and enriches the principles guiding efforts to combat cross-border corruption.

It also stipulates that such efforts must be conducted in strict accordance with the Constitution and laws, follow statutory procedures, and respect and protect human rights.

The draft law was first submitted for deliberation in late August. The formulation of the law is an important step by China to put in place a systematic and comprehensive foreign-related legal framework for anti-corruption, according to the top legislature.

Structured into six chapters and 47 articles, the draft sets out the principles, scope and key positions underpinning China's efforts to combat cross-border corruption.

The revised draft also sets out provisions on the use of information technology by authorities in combating cross-border corruption.

It requires relevant authorities and their staff to keep confidential any state secrets, work-related confidential information, trade secrets, personal privacy and personal information obtained during supervision and investigations.

It also requires Chinese companies operating across borders to set up integrity and compliance departments or appoint dedicated staff, based on their size, business scope and risk prevention and control.