NPC holds special inquiries on Top Court

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China's legal system undergoes an inspection. The NPC Standing Committee - China's Top Legislature - conducts its first special inquiry session on the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. They're looking for verdict compliance and the enforcement of rulings.

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?

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

Lawmakers at the special inquiry session. /CGTN Photo

He said he is 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.

He thinks the 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, and 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 equity and justice and treat every person fairly and justly in each case.