Reforms to judicial system bear fruit

China has advanced political and legal reform and built a more fair, efficient and authoritative socialist judicial system over the past ten years, an official said on Friday.

Judicial institutions have followed a people-centered approach in carrying out the reforms, which have been underway since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, which was held in 2012, said Jing Hanchao, deputy secretary-general of the Central Political and Legal Commission.

The reforms have restructured power allocation and operation mechanisms and significantly increased the credibility of law enforcement and the judiciary. The classified administration of judicial personnel and a system of accountability, under which those handling a case will bear corresponding responsibility, have been implemented.

Mechanisms for checking and supervising law enforcement and judicial power have also been improved to prevent interference in law enforcement and judicial activities, and power has been placed in an institutional cage.

"We have strengthened legal oversight by procuratorial organs, expanded the scope of participation by people's assessors in trials, opened channels for public participation and supervision of law enforcement and judicial activities, and publicized the basis, process and results of law enforcement and judicial activities, so that justice can be seen by the people," he said.

The litigation system has also been improved. Basic standards of evidence for criminal investigation, prosecution and trial have been clarified to ensure that the guilty are correctly punished. Also, complicated and simple forms of civil litigation are separated before handling procedures are begun, which improves the overall quality and efficiency of handling cases and reduces litigation costs.

"We have also integrated modern scientific and technological methods with judicial activity. Case filing, payments, court hearings, investigations, and all kinds of litigation can be carried out online. Courts have explored a new judicial model for the networked era and contributed Chinese wisdom and solutions to the world. On the issue of internet justice, China has been recognized by peers in many countries around the world," Jing said.