Chinese lawmakers consider tougher legislation against trafficking

Chinese lawmakers would consider a draft law that would mete tougher sanctions against trafficking in women, following a surge in crimes, which triggered calls for a crackdown and legislation.

The upcoming session of the National People's Congress (NPC), Standing Committee, to be held between April 18 and 20, would deliberate on a draft revised Law on the Protection of Rights and Interests of Women.

Zang Tiewei, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the NPC Standing Committee, said on Thursday.

Zang said, the draft law, to be submitted for a second reading, would propose a mandatory reporting and screening mechanism to swiftly identify and handle crimes against women.

Household registration and marriage registration organs, local governments, women's associations, and hotels, would have to report to the police if they suspected women were being trafficked or abducted.

Zang said when the legislators solicited public comments on the law, after the first reading, the legislature received over 420,000 online comments and nearly 300 letters from the public.