Zhang Dejiang, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, presides over a symposium, to hear NPC deputies' opinions and suggestions on the draft work report of the 12th NPC Standing Committee, in Beijing, capital of China, Jan. 31, 2018. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

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.

At the symposium, 10 deputies talked about their experience of fulfilling their duties over the past five years, and gave their general approval of the draft work report of the NPC Standing Committee, which was released for review.

They also spoke highly of the work of the 12th NPC and its standing committee, and agreed that the committee has carried out its duties according to the overall work situation of the Party and the country, significantly raising the efficiency and quality of lawmaking.

Moreover, the committee has focused on solving problems and responded to the concerns of the people, further improved its supervision, and actively pushed forward the development of local people's congresses, making new advances and achievements in the NPC's work, they said.

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.

The 12th NPC Standing Committee finished a two-day session Tuesday. According to a decision made at the session, the 13th NPC will hold its first annual session in Beijing on March 5.