BEIJING, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator has commended the work of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee over the past five years, appreciating the committee's respect for the NPC deputies' significant role.

Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, made the remarks on Wednesday at a symposium, where he heard NPC deputies' opinions and suggestions on the draft work report of the 12th NPC Standing Committee.

According to Zhang, the committee has kept deepening and expanding the deputies' work, and supported and assured the deputies in their duties.

During the course of drafting the work report over the five years, the committee held symposiums for a group of NPC deputies every year to hear their opinions, which is an important approach to strengthen the bond between the NPC Standing Committee and deputies, and to give full play to the deputies' role, Zhang said.

Deputies to the 12th NPC have loyally represented the interests and will of the people, devoted to their duties and worked diligently, making positive contributions to the development of socialist democracy and the building of a country of socialist rule of law, Zhang said.

He also asked for the long-term adherence to and continuous improvements in the system of people's congresses, as it is a political system fundamental to adhering to the Party's leadership, the people being the masters of the country and law-based governance.

Wang Chen, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, also attended the symposium.