Wang Jiaqiu, vice-chairman of the Education, Science, Culture and Health Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), made the remark while responding to bills for a media law put forward by 95 deputies to the 9th NPC earlier this year.

One of the advocates is Nan Zhenzhong, editor-in-chief of Xinhua News Agency.

"The Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the NPC have paid great attention to the Media Law formulation," Wang said.

The 7th and 8th NPCs both listed it in their legislative agenda and organized special draft teams to do research and study work, and the incumbent 9th NPC Standing Committee has also put the legislation on its five-year work agenda, she said.

"Great achievements have been made in the development of China's news media in the course of the country's reform and opening-up drive initiated in 1978, which has created a favorable condition for citizens to enjoy their freedom of expression, and the press is playing an ever-increasing role in supervision," Wang said.