BEIJING -- Zhao Leji, China's top legislator, on Tuesday called on his fellow legislators to faithfully perform their statutory duties, and to properly exercise their democratic rights.

Zhao, who is a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with NPC deputies who are sitting in on the ongoing session of the NPC Standing Committee.

Zhao urged the NPC deputies to earnestly study and implement the guiding principles of the fourth plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the Central Economic Work Conference, with the aim of gaining an accurate understanding of the CPC Central Committee's analysis of the current situation, as well as its decisions and plans.

Noting that the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25) is approaching a successful conclusion, Zhao lauded the NPC Standing Committee's endeavors in fulfilling its duties in accordance with the law, in improving the country's legal system, and in making its oversight more targeted and effective over the past year.

NPC deputies have maintained close ties with the public, conducted in-depth research, and heard and conveyed opinions and suggestions from the public, thus contributing to the high-quality development of the work of people's congresses, Zhao noted.

He also stressed the importance of making thorough preparations for the fourth annual session of the 14th NPC.