China's top legislature, the National People's Congress (NPC), will carry out a nationwide inspection on the enforcement of the compulsory education law, NPC Standing Committee chairman Li Peng said Thursday.

International competition in the 21st century will largely depend on human resources, the foundation of which is laid by compulsory education, Li said at a group discussion of Anhui deputies to the NPC, in session here since Monday.

He urged governments at all levels to follow the changing situation and take new measures to further advance compulsory education.

At a group discussion with Tianjin deputies on the same day, Li urged the water-thirsty city to increase the awareness of the need to save water among the public and develop water-efficient industries.

(People's Daily 03/09/2001)