Sources at the recent seventh meeting of the Standing Committee of the 12th Beijing Municipal People's Congress have brought news of a development in the protection of minors in the capital. Draft amendments to the Regulations of the Beijing Municipality on the Protection of Minors call for the introduction of professional counseling in middle and elementary schools. The new service would include access to psychological counseling. In addition, the proposals include measures to protect the interests of minors on the Internet.

Rapid development has brought new challenges in the protection of minors. "The extant regulations have been in place since January 1, 1989. Despite having been revised twice they are now out of step with the needs of a changing society," said Wu Shenzhong, vice director of the Internal and Judicial Affairs Committee of the Beijing Municipal People's Congress.

The draft amendments would introduce the three general principles of equality among minors, respect for minors and maximum protection of the interests of minors. The revisions are intended to promote a more humane and considerate approach. Provision is made for local government to step in and take responsibility for the care of minors faced with such trauma in their young lives as the death or imprisonment of their parents. Middle and elementary schools will invite qualified professionals to provide psychological help to their students. Access to the counseling will be on a part-time basis. Provision will also be made to secure the right of access to education for minors from migrant families.

The proposed measures also address the need to protect the interests of minors and foster their safe social development where the Internet is concerned. The new draft provides for control of both Internet content and access via Internet cafes.

Organizations and their individual employees will be prohibited from broadcasting harmful content to minors via the Internet. In addition they may not collect, use or disseminate personal information about minors on the Internet without the express permission of their guardians.

Schools, libraries and indeed families will be expected to take greater care to ensure minors are not exposed to harmful information on the Internet.

Internet cafes will need to display clear signage prohibiting entry by minors and other regulatory breaches. Identification papers will be required for proof of age where this is in doubt.

Other measures will ensure the enforcement of quality standards as prescribed by law in such areas as foodstuffs, daily necessities, toys and games marketed to minors. The revised draft also extends the remit to cover organizations providing emergency aid to minors and addresses the issue of providing support to aid child beggars.

It is a sad fact of life that some parents and guardians fail to live up to their responsibilities or act in a manner detrimental to the legal rights of minors. This has led to provision aimed at ensuring that minors can have effective legal aid where this should prove necessary. The draft states that, "The law provides for legal aid to be made available where guardians cause harm to minors or refuse to fulfill their duty of care. Legal representatives with no direct interest in a dispute can apply for legal aid on behalf of minors."