Xi expounds new judicial reform measures

The new judicial reform measures put forth in a key document of the Communist Party of China (CPC) are aimed at preventing miscarriage of justice and better protecting human rights, President Xi Jinping has said. [special report]

Judicial reform is a major part of China's overall reform, according to Xi's explanation of the decision on major issues concerning comprehensively deepening reforms, which was published Friday.

Xi, also general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, explained the decision to the Third Plenary Session of the 18th CPC Central Committee, which ran from Nov. 9 to 12.

"Judicial system is a major component of political system," Xi said, adding that the public have long complained about miscarriage of justice, and that the lack of judicial credibility is largely related to the unreasonable judicial system and working mechanism.

The plenum, which adopted the decision, put forward a series of new measures, including abolishing the "reeducation through labor" system, reforming the judicial administrative system and others, Xi said.

According to the decision, laws relating to correction and punishment will be improved. Community correction which helps convicts return to society will also be improved.

These reform measures will greatly help "ensure the lawful and independent use of judicial and procuratorial power, improve the judicial power operating mechanism with clear rights and liabilities, enhance judicial transparency and credibility, and better protect human rights," Xi said.