The draft amendment to China's Constitution was submitted to the on-going national legislature's annual session for deliberation Monday afternoon, which includes expressions on protection of private property and human rights.

Wang Zhaoguo, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the 10th National People's Congress (NPC), is making a report on the draft amendment to nearly 3,000 legislators attending the second session of the lawmaking body in the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.

Other major points of the draft amendment include establishment of the guiding role of the "Three Represents" important thought in national political and social life, expressions of coordinated development of material civilization and political and cultural progress, incorporation of the term "builders of the socialist cause," and improvement of the land requisition system.

Also included are expressions on further clarification of the state policy toward non-public sectors, improvement of the social security system and the NPC's composition, stipulation on the state of emergency and on presidency, revision of the terms of government at township level, and stipulation on the national anthem.

The term of private property protection, proposed by the ruling Communist Party of China, puts private assets of Chinese citizens on an equal footing with public property, and are "not to be encroached upon."

(Xinhua News Agency March 8, 2004)