China's legal system is undergoing an inspection. The NPC Standing Committee -- the country's top legislature -- is conducting its first special inquiry session on the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate. They're checking for verdict compliance and the correct enforcement of rulings. CGTN's Hou Na spoke to lawmakers about what it all means.

For the first time in eight years, the NPC Standing Committee gathers lawmakers and justices to inspect the performance of China's courts. Chief Justice Zhou Qiang pledges to strictly punish those who fail to comply with verdicts and who oppose the enforcement of rulings. But how effective has it been?

LI WEI NPC STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBER "I'm satisfied with the response from the Supreme People's Court. The SPC announced plans in 2016 to address law enforcement problems in three years. This year is crucial."

Li asked justices how China's Smart Court can help improve the efficiency of ruling enforcement.

LI WEI NPC STANDING COMMITTEE MEMBER "Information technology like cloud computing, big data and blockchain will help courts at all levels build a stronger database in the smart court campaign."

The top court made the promise in a progress report on Chinese courts to the NPC Standing Committee. The report said the top court has taken various steps against defaulters in recent years. Two examples - increasing criminal punishments for those who are able to comply with court-mandated penalties but refuse; also for people who illegally hide assets and then claim inability to pay. This year, nearly 7,300 defendants have been criminally punished for flouting court rulings, up 90.6 percent year-on-year. During the special inquiries, lawmakers and justices exchanged ideas and suggestions. The goal is to ensure equality and justice and treat every person fairly and justly in each case.

HOU NA, CGTN, BEIJING.