BEIJING - A draft amendment to China's consumer rights law was published by the top legislature on Sunday in order to solicit public opinion.

The draft provides clarification regarding the protection of personal information and suggests ?heavier punishments for commercial fraud.

The draft also includes regulations pertaining to online shopping, as China's booming e-commerce market is not sufficiently covered by the current version of the consumer rights law.

The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, discussed the draft amendment during a bimonthly session held last week, marking the first time changes have been considered since the law was implemented in 1994.

The public may submit opinions on the draft via the NPC's website (www.npc.gov.cn), as well as send letters to the NPC Standing Committee's Commission for Legislative Affairs.