China stresses absolute Party leadership over courts

A senior Chinese official has called on courts at various levels to uphold the absolute leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Guo Shengkun, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and head of the Commission for Political and Legal Affairs of the CPC Central Committee, made the remarks at a national meeting on courts Monday.

The defining feature and strength of socialistic rule of law with Chinese characteristics is the leadership of the CPC, said Guo.

He asked those working in courts to strengthen their consciousness of the need to maintain political integrity, think in big-picture terms, follow the leadership core, and remain in alignment.

They were also called on to fully understand the Party's decision in pushing forward a partial revision of the Constitution and to consciously safeguard the authority of the Constitution.

In addition, judges were asked to exercise their adjudicative power independently and impartially in accordance with the law.

Guo also called for further reform of the courts to boost their credibility.

Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court, attended the meeting.