Beijing clarifies PAP role with new law

The Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress has passed a law clarifying the role of the People’s Armed Police (PAP), the country’s paramilitary police force, Reuters reported. The law gives the State Council and the Central Military Commission the power to mobilize the PAP, but says governments above the county level can also request its deployment; earlier drafts that gave county-level governments more power were changed to address fears improper deployment could worsen unrest. According to the law, the PAP would "participate in handling riots, disruptions, serious violent crimes, terror attacks and other emergencies," state media reports said.