China's top prosecutor says the number of people investigated for corruption last year, including bribery, rose more than 9 percent from the year before, signifying progress in President Xi Jinping's campaign against corruption.

Procurator-general Ying Yong spoke on Friday at the second plenary session of the National People's Congress, which began on Tuesday to decide the country's key policies.

Ying said that out of 20,000 cases, 18,000 people were charged for corruption in 2023. This figure includes 25 senior officials of local governments.

Xi has been calling for measures against corruption since he took office. In January, he said the situation was "grave and complex."

Also at Friday's plenary session, the National People's Congress chair Zhao Leji reported on plans to enact new laws to modernize China's system and capacity for national security, including revising its cybersecurity law. This is in line with Xi's increasing focus on national security.