Commentary: China committed to independent court decisions

China has always supported judges and prosecutors exercising their duties independently in accordance with the Constitution.

Although China rejects the Western notion of a separation of powers, the country does, nevertheless, support its judicial organs making independent verdicts in the cause of justice.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), law enforcement agencies and the judiciary should strive to improve and safeguard people's rights through impartiality.

China's judicial and procuratorial agencies are selected and supervised by the National People's Congress, the country's top legislator.

These agencies have made great contributions to national security and social stability, and played a key role in social and economic development.

They perform the duty of protecting national political security, especially maintaining the security of China's political system.

Officials in such agencies must be loyal to the Party, strictly follow CPC discipline, and prevent the abuse of public power for personal interest.

China has made great progress in protecting human rights in past years, and there have been significant advances in judicial reform.

In September 2016, the State Council Information Office issued a white paper on China's improvement and protection of the judicial rights of Chinese citizens.

The document highlighted that the judiciary was the last line of defense in safeguarding social fairness and justice -- it showed the country's commitment to social justice.

Since the CPC's 18th National Congress, China has improved the allocation of judicial power and responsibility, and worked to ensure an independent and impartial judiciary.

Since 2014, judicial accountability has improved and judicial transparency enhanced, ensuring concerned parties have access to an open and transparent system that is subject to public supervision.

From 2012 to 2015, courts at all levels concluded 94,900 cases of corruption and bribery, sentencing 100,200 criminals.

Meanwhile, a total of 10,300 cases for offering bribes were concluded with 9,219 criminals sentenced. Courts at all levels concluded 21,300 cases of dereliction of duty, sentencing 23,500 criminals, according to the white paper.

Among the defendants, 381 were formerly at or above ministerial level, and 2,269 were at or above county level.

China will continue its efforts to safeguard social fairness and justice as there is no end to the pursuit of progress on human rights.

Ensuring the independence of courts and prosecutors in accordance with the law is an important way to guarantee justice, and the strengthening of judicial protection and human rights continues to be a major task in the long-term. Endit