BEIJING - China's National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee will convene its bimonthly session from February 23 to 25, as a final preparation for an annual full session likely to begin next month.

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An important task at the three-day session is to prepare for the upcoming Fourth Plenum of the 11th NPC, according to a statement issued after a meeting of the chairman and vice-chairpersons of the NPC Standing Committee, presided over by top legislator Wu Bangguo Wednesday.

At the bimonthly session, legislators will discuss a draft report on the work of the NPC Standing Committee which is to be submitted at the annual session, the statement said.

Lawmakers will also discuss the draft schedule of the annual session, the candidates of the presidium, the selection of the secretary general and nonvoting delegates, it said.

Legislators will continue reading the draft amendment of the Criminal Law and the draft laws on intangible cultural heritage and vehicle and vessel taxation at the bimonthly session.

They will also vote on the removal and appointment of the railway minister, the statement said.

China's Minister of Railways Liu Zhijun has been under investigation over alleged severe violation of discipline and removed from the post of the ministry's Party chief.