NPC Chairman Wu Bangguo yesterday urged newly elected legislators to be honest and incorruptible while performing their duties over the next five years.

"We're elected and trusted by the people. To serve them and protect their rights and interests is the departure point and goal of all our work," Wu told nearly 400 members of the NPC Standing Committee and NPC specific committees at the first session of the 11th NPC Standing Committee.

"We must subject ourselves, our families and staff members to strict discipline," he said.

"We must also place ourselves under the supervision of the NPC deputies and the people."

Wu asked members to take as few companions as possible when they make field inspections. Members are also urged not to disturb local governments or the public during inspections.

In addition, members should avoid attending commercial activities, such as ribbon cuttings or celebrations irrelevant to the NPC, Wu said.

"In this regard, we chairman and vice-chairpersons will take the lead," he said.

Wu also said the NPC's work is not easy and asked the members to learn more about laws.

"Having a good command of the Constitution and other laws is a basic requirement," he said. "More knowledge in political, economic and social sectors is also necessary, as the NPC workload demands comprehensive and extensive knowledge."

Wu said that during the coming five-year tenure, he would work hard with members to continue enhancing and improving legislation. The NPC should lose no time in making major laws to support the country's legal system while amending laws and regulations that are no longer suitable for the country's economic and social development.

Members at the meeting, of whom 70 percent were newly elected at the just concluded first full session of the 11th NPC, said they were moved and encouraged by Wu's words.

"I didn't expect the chairman would raise such detailed requirements, especially about discipline," Bao Ruiling, a new member of the NPC Environment and Resources Protection Committee, said.

"And I'm impressed that the chairman said he and other vice-chairpersons will take the lead."

Bao said she will strictly follow instructions and try to learn more to be a responsible member.

At yesterday's meeting, nine deputy secretaries-general of the NPC Standing Committee were also appointed. They are Wang Wanbin, Qiao Xiaoyang, Zhang Shaoqin, Cao Weizhou, Wang Qingxi, Li Lianning, He Yehui, Sun Wei and Liu Zhenwei.

(China Daily March 20, 2008)