Top court aims to protect citizens' property rights

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The Chinese Constitution states that citizens' property rights must be protected. In recent years, judicial authorities have been told to re-examine potentially wrongful property rights cases and avoid misconduct to protect the legitimate rights of property owners.

The high-profile criminal case of Gu Chujun, the former chairman of Guangdong Kelon Electrical Holdings Co, is in the spotlight again.

Gu was arrested in 2005. A final ruling by the Guangdong High People's Court in 2009 sentenced him to 10 years in prison for falsifying and withholding information, and embezzlement.

Gu Chujun, the former chairman of Guangdong Kelon Electrical Holdings Co. /Xinhua Photo

In September 2012, after he had served his term in prison, Gu filed a petition to the Supreme People's Court denying all charges. He also alleged wrongdoings by four officials.

The top court issued a statement in January saying it had reviewed Gu's case and believes it is eligible for a retrial.

Director of the Research Office of the Supreme People's Court, Yan Maokun, says protecting the public's property rights is the foundation of achieving sustainable and healthy social and economic development.

CGTN's Hou Na interviewing Yan Maokun, Director of Research Office of China's Supreme People's Court. /CGTN Photo

He said entrepreneurs are important entities in marketing activities and their rights should be protected.

He added that local prosecutors should distinguish economic disputes from economic crimes. The operational activities of private enterprises should not be treated as an offense or crime unless it is clearly prohibited by laws and regulations.

CGTN's Hou Na interviewing NPC deputy Lyu Jianzhong. /CGTN Photo‍

NPC deputy Lyu Jianzhong knows that better than anyone..

As a successful entrepreneur from northwestern Shaanxi Province, he is more sensitive to the changing environment.

Lyu says he wants to build his company into one that lasts for a century. It is important for the central government to issue more specific policies to protect his property rights, so that he can feel safe and concentrate on the company's development.

CGTN's Hou Na talking to NPC deputy Lyu Jianzhong. /CGTN Photo

Lyu hopes more specific guidelines can be issued to make his property safer and more prosperous.

(Top photo: CGTN's Hou Na interviewing Yan Maokun, Director of Research Office of Supreme People's Court. /CGTN Photo)

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