BEIJING, Oct. 24 -- China's top legislator has called for closer ties between lawmakers and the people, and further efforts to improve the mechanism regarding deputies to people's congresses in the new era.

Li Zhanshu, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remarks Wednesday at a symposium where he listened to advice from 55 NPC deputies in communities and on the frontlines who were invited to observe the ongoing bimonthly session of the NPC Standing Committee.

The NPC and its standing committee should stay people-oriented, further promote the role of deputies as a bridge connecting the Party and the state with the broad masses of the people, and protect people's rights and interests and enhance their wellbeing through the rule of law, Li noted.

He said the NPC Standing Committee should continue to improve its work mechanism and respect the principal status of deputies, and strengthen political building through theory among deputies.

Li urged the specially-invited NPC deputies to connect with the people based on both the mechanisms and platforms of the NPC and what they hear and see.

The symposium was presided over by Wang Chen, a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee.