Ministry of justice makes legislative strides in 2023

In 2023, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) made remarkable progress in advancing administrative legislation in the new era, providing a robust legal guarantee for promoting high-quality development, comprehensively deepening reforms and maintaining the overall stability of society.

Last year, the MOJ finished the review of 51 legislative projects, marking a 96.2 percent increase compared to 2022. As of January 2024, a total of 37 legislative projects have been submitted for deliberation and approval by the State Council.

It also conducted a thorough cleanup of a total of 604 existing administrative regulations in accordance with the plans of the State Council, marking the largest ever such effort since the founding of the People’s Republic of China.

Meanwhile, three rounds of comprehensive revision and abolition of administrative regulations were carried out last year. Fifteen regulations were revised or abolished and announced to the public in the first round. At the end of 2023, 33 penalty items, involving seven administrative regulations and six department rules, were canceled or amended. The third round of 21 administrative regulations, with eight revised and 13 abolished, has been submitted for deliberation by the executive meeting of the State Council, with the results expected to be announced shortly.

The MOJ redoubled efforts to accelerate legislation in key areas, emerging sectors and foreign-related affairs in 2023. Draft amendments to laws on food security, the prevention and treatment of infectious diseases and the preservation of cultural relics have been submitted for deliberation by the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee. A total of 12 administrative regulations have been drafted or revised, encompassing the supervision and administration of private investment funds and non-bank payment institutions as well as the online protection of minors.

The ministry has also been dedicated to enhancing the quality and efficiency of the legislative work and fully implementing the legislative planning of the NPC Standing Committee and the annual legislative work plan of the State Council. In terms of legislative projects with tight deadlines and heavy tasks, the MOJ focused on handling key and tough issues with a targeted legislative approach characterized by precision, efficiency and flexibility, so as to help solve practical problems and expedite the legislation process.