In a substantial step toward better protecting farmers' rights and interests, the State Council on Wednesday passed a draft law amendment revising the rules on compensation for land expropriation.

Although no more details have so far been disclosed, the draft, which is yet to be submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for review, is expected to raise sharply compensation to targeted farmers.

If approved by the national legislature, the draft will remove obstacles for an earlier promulgation of a more concrete and pro-farmers State Council regulation on the requisition of collectively owned rural land.