The modification of the Marriage Law passed in 1980 was part of a policy to regulate the country through law, to enhance morals and to protect people's rights regarding marriage and the family, thus safeguarding the common interests of society as a whole by consolidating socialist rules on marriage. In October 1995, the 16th Conference of the Standing Committee of the eighth National People's Congress resolved to modify the Marriage Law. Under the leadership of the Leading Branch, a Marriage Law was drafted. The draft was submitted to the 18th, 19th, and 21st Conference of the Standing Committee of the 9th National People's Congress for examination and approval, and adopted by the 21st Conference of the Standing Committee of the 9th National People's Congress on 28 April 2001. The amendment extensively modifies the former Marriage Law, mainly in the areas of monogamy, domestic violence, void and voidable marriage, matrimonial property, divorce and its consequences, protective measures, and liability.