BEIJING, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese lawmakers on Monday began reviewing a draft law on procuratorial public-interest litigation, which seeks to refine the scope of cases covered and improve relevant procedural rules.
The draft is now under its third reading at the ongoing session of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, which runs through Friday.
The draft also clarifies jurisdictional provisions and aligns them with other relevant laws.
Following its second reading in June, which added protections for older people, people with disabilities and other groups, the latest draft authorizes procuratorates to bring public-interest litigation in cases involving the building of accessible environments.
The system of procuratorial public interest litigation was launched on a trial basis in 2015 and formally introduced nationwide in 2017.
Its remit has gradually expanded from environmental protection and food and drug safety to areas such as child protection, workplace safety, data privacy and combating telecom fraud. ■
