BEIJING, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Chinese top legislator Li Zhanshu has called for a new law to define the boundaries of biotechnological development in the country.

Li, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, made the call at a symposium held on Wednesday to hear advice on drafting a biosecurity law.

Li expects such a law to establish fundamental institutions and principles of biosecurity, highlight risk prevention, and help safeguard the country's biosecurity and people's lives and health.

Biotech research and applications should be guided and regulated through legislation to promote fast and proper development of biotechnology, as well as prevent and reduce possible hazards and losses, Li said.

He also called for building efficient system and mechanism of management to mobilize forces and clarify responsibilities of different sides and help establish a rigorous system of national biosecurity.

Li stressed that industry, science and technology policies that encourage independent innovations should be inscribed in law to guarantee that biosecurity infrastructure is advanced, and therefore improve the country's biosecurity capability.