Chinese Courts Report Decrease in Criminal Cases but Increase in Civil Disputes

In the initial six months of this year, the Chinese judiciary has heightened its efforts to enhance national security and maintain social order. The Supreme People's Court reported a total of 529,000 criminal cases processed, marking a 10.4 percent decline compared to the same timeframe in the previous year. During this period, around 51,000 individuals received prison sentences exceeding five years, which is categorized as a stringent penalty under Chinese law, representing a 4.65 percent drop year-on-year.

Conversely, the courts have seen a rise in the number of civil and commercial disputes, managing over 12.37 million such cases in the first half of the year. This statistic illustrates a substantial year-on-year increase of 38.87 percent. Notably, the focus has been directed towards cases involving employment issues and intellectual property rights, aligning with the government's objectives to enhance the quality of life for citizens and foster economic growth.

Additionally, the court system has adjudicated a significant volume of labor-related lawsuits, totaling approximately 436,000, which reflects a 40.17 percent increase, along with 307,000 intellectual property disputes, which is a rise of 36.15 percent. In maintaining fairness for all parties involved in the legal process, including cases with international implications, Chinese judges are striving to establish a commendable business climate that adheres to the rule of law and promotes higher levels of openness. Notably, the courts addressed around 20,000 civil and commercial cases linked to foreign affairs, showcasing an increase of 52 percent from the previous year.