China Voice: Rule of law drive enters fast track

Measures rolled out by China's top reform planning committee on Friday to blacklist and punish officials who interfere in judicial cases are another sign of rapid advancement of the rule of law.

A regulation adopted at a meeting of the Central Leading Group for Comprehensively Continuing Reform said officials who interfere in court cases will be held to account and their names will be made public.

As part of a broader legal reform package adopted by a key session of the CPC Central Committee in October, the rules are a critical step to ensure the independence of the judiciary as officials around the country have been criticized for meddling in cases and infringing on citizens' rights.

Also seen as a concrete move to make its judiciary more professional and fair is the Supreme People's Court's (SPC) reform plan which includes 65 legal reform measures, including setting up committees at central and provincial levels to punish judges who violate rules and making trials more transparent via live broadcasts or updates on social networks.

Under the plan, which was announced on Thursday, the top court also forbids courts from bringing defendants on trial in prison garb to avoid prejudiced legal proceedings. In China, defendants are often seen shackled and wearing orange prison vests in courtrooms.

These detailed measures followed the inauguration of two circuit courts by the SPC in late January to bring justice to the doorsteps of ordinary people.

They all showcase that China's determination to build a law-abiding society and government is not empty words, dashing Western media reports alleging that China's efforts to pursue the rule of law are futile.

The fact that advancing of the rule of law is a part of the "Four Comprehensives", a strategic layout unveiled by President Xi Jinping for nation renewal, also highlights that the drive will be facilitated.

The "Four Comprehensives" refer to "comprehensively building a moderately prosperous society", "comprehensively deepening reform", "comprehensively advancing the rule of law", and "comprehensively strictly governing the Party".

Advancing the rule of law and deepening reform are considered two wheels that propel the nation to finish building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, a blueprint mapped out in November 2012, when the Chinese government vowed to double its 2010 GDP and per capita income for both urban and rural residents by 2020.

Catapulting a nation long entrenched in a tradition of rule by men into a law-abiding society is -- not to put too fine a point on it -- a revolution that will have a far-reaching impact.

As China's lawmakers meet in Beijing next week for the annual meetings of the National People's Congress, the country's top legislature, the rule of law drive will surely be given another boost. Endi