China's courts at all levels tried and concluded 767,000 criminal cases last year, down 0.2 percent from the previous year, according to a report to be delivered at the annual parliament session Thursday.

Last year, the courts convicted 997,000 criminals, down 1.1 percent, it says.

The courts strictly controlled the number of death sentences and prudently used death penalties, it says.

The courts implemented the policy of "tempering justice with mercy," it says.

Wang Shengjun, president of the Supreme People's Court is to deliver the report on the work of the Supreme People's Court to nearly 3,000 lawmakers at the Third Session of the 11th National People's Congress.

(Xinhua News Agency March 11, 2010)