China's Top Legislator Li Peng said Saturday the democratic legal system at the county and township levels is an important basis in promoting the process of rule by law.
Li, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the remarks during a recent inspection tour of east China's Fujian Province, where he visited factories and rural units and talked with local residents about the implementation of the Marriage Law, which was approved by the Standing Committee of the NPC last month.
Implementation of the Marriage Law is a big issue which bears great importance to family happiness and social stability. Some new contents have been added to the revised Marriage Law on the basis of maintaining the three principles: namely one husband and one wife, equality of men and women and freedom in marriage, Li said.
He made inquiries to rural representatives about whether mercenary marriage exists in rural areas and whether rural women can retain their contracted fields after they get married.
He urged governments at all levels to implement all articles in the Marriage Law and protect the lawful rights and interests of women in accordance with the law.
Referring to legal building at grassroots units, Li said the people's congress at the city, county and township levels have the right of supervision and the right to make decisions on major issues. People's deputies at grassroots units should make good use of their rights.
People's congress at grassroots units should work in a pioneering spirit, constantly sum up their experience and explore new methods of performing their duties, he added.
(Xinhua 05/06/2001)
