China mulls changes to public interest litigation

China is considering allowing prosecutors to institute public interest litigation, according to a legal reform plan published in full text Tuesday.

If put into practice, the plan will optimize judicial functions, improve administrative lawsuits, and advance administration by law, said President Xi Jinping in an explanation to the plan, also released on Tuesday.

The plan was adopted last week at the fourth plenary session of the 18th Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

Citizens, corporations and other organizations cannot initiate public interest lawsuits against some administrative organs for abuse of power or nonfeasance, because they are not considered to have direct stakes.

Such cases may involve protection of state assets, state-owned land use rights transfer, and protection of the environment and resources.

The restraint of public interest litigation has "led to a lack of effective judicial supervision on illegal administrative acts and is disadvantageous to the promotion of administration by law and enhanced protection of public interests," Xi said.