Legislators will take a closer look at social issues this year and strengthen supervision over governments to build a harmonious society.

"While continuing to improve economic legislation, we must also enact laws related to social programs to provide a solid legal foundation for a harmonious society," Wu Bangguo, chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), said yesterday while delivering a work report to the NPC full session.

This is the first time in a decade that the NPC, the country's top legislature, made clear that social affairs will be placed on an equal footing with economic matters in legislative priorities.