国内英语资讯:China Focus: China moves on phase II of drafting civil code_时事

国内英语资讯:China Focus: China moves on phase II of drafting civil code

Many of them were copied from existing laws in respective areas, but changes were also proposed.

-- cooling-off period before divorce

The draft stipulates that a divorce application may be revoked by either side of the couple within the cooling-off period of one month after it is received by the authority.

According to Shen, the provision is meant to reduce hasty decisions.

Official statistics revealed that over 4.3 million Chinese couples split up last year, registering a 5.2 percent increase from the previous year. China's divorce rate also rose from two per thousand in 2010 to 3.2 per thousand last year.

Also, considering the changes in the country's demographic situation, provisions related to family planning in current laws are not included in the draft.

-- punitive damages for environmental violations

According to the draft, punitive compensations will be imposed on those who had intentionally violate laws and regulations and damaged the environment.

It also stipulates restoration obligations in cases of such violations.

The report to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) pledged to intensify ecosystem protection and take tough steps to stop and punish all activities that damage the environment.

The draft also requires parties of a contract to follow conventional practices to save resources and reduce pollution with good faith while performing the contract.