China is considering drafting a law to curb sexual harassment, Gu Xiulian, vice president of the All-China Women's Federation, said at a press conference Thursday.

As the number of cases of sexual harassment against women rises, there has been an increasing outcry for legislation.

China would further improve its legal system to better protect women's rights on the basis of the Criminal Law and other relevant codes, which have covered behavior against women, said Gu, who is also vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

"Sexual harassment is a kind of base act that insults women's personalities and infringes on their body rights," said Gu, "Things are on the right track."

Authorities were researching legislation on sexual harassment, Gu said.

China's existing Criminal Law stipulates that those who act indecently towards or insult a woman by force, threat or other means shall be sentenced to up to five years in jail or criminal detention.

The relevant departments are also considering adding sexual harassment clauses to the country's women's rights and interests protection law.

A Chinese court recently tried the country's first case of sexual harassment against a woman.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2003)