China's top legislature is considering a draft amendment to the Law on Administrative Reconsideration that would make it more convenient for people to apply for reconsideration of administrative acts they believe to be wrong.
The draft amendment, which was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for a third review on Monday, would allow people to submit an application for reconsideration in writing or orally, if they have difficulty writing. It would also require administrations to provide online channels for people to submit reconsideration applications if they make and send administrative decisions via the internet.
In addition, the draft amendment would expand the scope of administrative reconsideration, stating that people can apply for a review if their identifications of industrial injuries are not accepted by relevant administrations.
The draft amendment has already been reviewed twice by the NPC Standing Committee in June and October last year. In general, a draft or a draft amendment will become a law after it is read by the NPC Standing Committee three times.
The amendment is seen as a way to improve the efficiency and fairness of the administrative reconsideration system and to better protect the rights of citizens.
Yuan Shuhong, an official from the NPC's Constitution and Law Committee, said that the amendment is "to play the role of administration reconsideration in helping solve conflicts between residents and administrations".