» The NPC standing committee on April 20 has started second reading of an amendment to the postal law, which is expected to be passed after the review.

» The amendment requires postal departments to separate their ordinary letter delivery business from other services including logistics and express delivery, in order to promote fair competition.

» The amendment also seeks to improve supervision of postal services.

» But the amendment did not address the disputed issue in which state-owned postal departments are granted monopoly of letter delivery industry in China.

» Public concerns were raised about an article in the amendment that bans foreign companies from providing letter delivery services in China. But lawmakers said the rule does not breach China's WTO commitments.