Interventions spark decline in youth crime

The number of prosecutions for crimes against minors and reviews of juvenile crime cases by prosecuting agencies nationwide last year decreased by 2.2 percent and 9.8 percent year-on-year, respectively, marking the first "double decline" in the past five years.

Ying Yong, prosecutor-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, announced the figures at a symposium marking the 40th anniversary of the country's juvenile prosecution work, held in Shanghai recently.

Ying said he believes the improvements are closely related to a concept proposed by the SPP two years ago that "prevention is protection, and punishment is also a form of salvation".

The concept is based on a balanced approach to punishment and protection in handling juvenile crime cases. It emphasizes protecting minors in accordance with the law and implementing the principles of education, rehabilitation and salvation for juveniles involved in crimes, while also stressing the importance of lawful punishment as a deterrent.

In 2025, more than 16,000 minors nationwide were granted conditional non-prosecution, with 96.5 percent successfully reintegrating into society after completing their probation periods.

Prosecutors said the figure demonstrates prosecuting agencies' commitment to maximizing education and rehabilitation opportunities for juveniles involved in minor, first-time or occasional offenses.

During the same year, the SPP approved the prosecution of 24 juveniles aged 12 to 14 for serious violent crimes, continuing to send a clear message that being young is not a free pass from legal accountability.

Among the cases was one in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, in which a 14-year-old surnamed Zhong was sentenced to life imprisonment for intentionally killing a classmate. Motivated by unfounded suspicions, Zhong fatally stabbed the victim multiple times.

In recent years, prosecuting agencies in some regions have established graded intervention mechanisms in a bid to better prevent juvenile crime. Prosecutors noted that juvenile delinquency often follows a progressive path from minor misconduct to serious misbehavior and eventually to criminal activity.

Under a three-tier prevention mechanism explored in recent years, truancy and internet addiction are addressed by schools and families; serious misconduct, such as theft and provocation, is subject to specialized education; and criminal acts committed by individuals below the age of criminal responsibility may result in specialized corrective education when necessary.

Shanghai is the birthplace of juvenile prosecution work across China. The country's first juvenile prosecution group was established in the city's Changning district four decades ago.

Several mechanisms pioneered by Shanghai's prosecuting agencies — including social investigations into the status of minors' families and guardianship and the presence of appropriate adults during interrogations — have been adopted nationwide.

At the symposium, Li Jianjun, chief prosecutor of the Changning District People's Procuratorate in Shanghai, said that in response to a growing number of juvenile crimes committed by non-residents of Shanghai, local prosecuting authorities, together with public security, courts and judicial administrative agencies, have established a collaborative mechanism to build a corrective education network.

The annual number of juvenile crimes in Shanghai has fallen by more than 80 percent from its peak in 2007. The proportion of juvenile crimes among all criminal offenses has dropped from 9.8 percent to 1.4 percent.