HAIKOU -- Zhao Leji, the top legislator, has called for efforts to implement the guiding principles of the second session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) and promote the high-quality development of the work of people's congresses.

Zhao, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the NPC Standing Committee, made the remarks during a research tour in South China's Hainan province that began on Friday and ended on Saturday.

During discussions with grassroots lawmakers and locals in Dingan county, Zhao called on lawmakers to maintain close contact with the people and help address practical problems.

He also said that full play should be given to the expertise of lawmakers, and that more support should be provided for lawmakers to fulfill their duties in accordance with the law.

In the provincial capital of Haikou, Zhao urged Hainan to make better use of its unique advantage — its power to formulate regular local regulations, regulations for special economic zones, and regulations for its free trade port.

He urged the province to step up legislation in key areas such as its trade and investment, industrial development, business environment, people's livelihoods and ecological civilization.

He also called for the timely introduction of urgently needed supporting regulations for the construction of the Hainan free trade port.