BEIJING -- Chinese lawmakers Monday started deliberating a draft food security law to enhance China's capacity for forestalling and fending off food security risks.

The proposed legislation was submitted to the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress for the first reading during the legislature's ongoing session, which runs from Monday to Wednesday.

The draft, consisting of 11 chapters and 69 articles, focuses on issues vital to China's foundation for food security, such as cultivated land protection, grain production, and grain reserves.