Anhui steps up efforts to boost public legal awareness

Anhui province in East China is fostering legal awareness to enhance public understanding of laws and access to law services.

In Baohe district, Hefei, capital city of Anhui, the Baohe People's Procuratorate has created a dedicated educational space for children and teenagers to learn about laws through interactive technology. The rainbow protection center, next to this space, provides all sorts of supportive services for underage children.

Students engage with screens, wear smart bands to learn relevant laws, and participate in simulations, such as a video game where they ride a bike through law-related scenarios.

Liu Juan, deputy chief prosecutor of Baohe People's Procuratorate, said that the goal is to make legal learning interesting for children, helping them retain important lessons.

The space addresses rising juvenile delinquency through its education-focused initiatives and a network of social support. Prosecutors collaborate with schools, the women's federations, and the civil affairs bureau to create a safer environment for children in Hefei.

Rui Wenyi, a fourth grader at Weigang Elementary School in Hefei, said that these experiences teach her self-awareness online and kindness to peers.

In Xiaogang village, the local people's court is making its services more accessible. With only eight legal staff members, the court serves 260,000 residents across 910 square kilometers.

To alleviate travel and financial burdens for people, the court holds online trials for civil cases where in-person attendance would disrupt participants' life and work.

Judge Wang Shili said that online trials, comprising about 30 percent of civil cases, save time and improve efficiency.

This approach has enabled the court to focus more on mediation and preventive measures, which are key to their work. Local mediators, including Party secretaries of towns, use video conferences and field visits to resolve disputes and promote law awareness.

Through these moves, Anhui is making significant strides in promoting law awareness, leveraging technologies to meet the diverse needs of its urban and rural communities.