On February 28, the 20th Session of the Standing Committee of the 9th National People's Congress (NPC) of the People's Republic of China adopted by vote the decision of the NPC Standing Committee on ratifying the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. The instrument of ratification was later signed by Jiang Zemin, President of the People's Republic of China. On March 27, Ambassador Wang Yingfan, Permanent Representative of the People's Republic of China submitted to the Secretary-General the instrument of ratification for deposit.