国内英语新闻:China's top legislature concludes bimonthly session

BEIJING, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislature on Sunday concluded its bimonthly session, passing laws on traditional Chinese medicine and environmental tax and approving pilot reform of the supervisory system, among others.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presided over the closing meeting.

The top legislature decided that the Fifth Session of the 12th NPC will be convened on March 5 next year.

Lawmakers decided to submit the draft General Provisions of Civil Law to the Fifth Session of 12th NPC. The general provisions are the first step in establishing a civil code.

They adopted a new law to tax polluters, particularly heavy industry, and new legislation on improving cultural services and promoting traditional Chinese medicine.

Lawmakers decided on piloting supervisory system reform in Beijing and the provinces of Shanxi and Zhejiang. New supervision committees will be established in the three areas to produce an integrated supervision system that will be more authoritative and efficient.

A criminal judicial assistance treaty between China and Malaysia was also ratified.

After the session was concluded, the NPC Standing Committee held an oath-taking ceremony for newly-appointed officials to pledge their allegiance to the Constitution.