BEIJING, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, opened its bimonthly session Monday to read a series of draft laws.

In the six-day session, lawmakers are reading for the second time a draft amendment to the Criminal Law, a draft revision to the Law on Water and Soil Conservation, and a draft law on intangible cultural heritage.

The top legislature conducted the first reading of the draft laws in August.

The legislature will also examine three reports from the State Council on boosting economic and social development in ethnic minority areas, deepening reform of health care system and stepping up the development of the service sector.

Lawmakers will discuss a report from the NPC inspection team on the enforcement of the country's Energy Conservation Law.

They will also consider a bill on a draft resolution to convene the fourth annual session of the 11th NPC.