After 12-year wait, law knocks down forced demolitions

BEIJING - Coercive measures taken by the authorities will be restricted and citizens' rights better protected under a newly passed law that curbs governments' power following the end of its 12-year journey through the drafting and debate stage.

Some of the authorities' most unpopular coercive measures - such as the forced demolitions that have driven some victims to such extreme acts of resistance as self-immolation - have been outlawed under the new law approved by legislators on Thursday.

The law, which was reviewed by top lawmakers on five occasions during the past six years, aims to "protect people's rights while still entrusting administrations with the necessary power to perform their duties", said Xin Chunying, deputy director of the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee.