March 10, 2004
“A proposed amendment to the Constitution replaces the wording “state of siege” with “state of emergency”. If passed, the amendment will provide a constitutional basis for legislation on the state of emergency.
A growing number of industrial accidents and public health crises, especially the outbreak of SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome) last year, have highlighted China’s poor mechanism to deal with emergencies.
If approved by the State Council, the draft bill will go to the Standing Committee of the 10th NPC for a preliminary review in December, according to the committee’s legislative agenda for this year.”
Click here to continue reading.
