China’s most senior judge has promised to dish out swift punishments for random attacks on members of the public following a series of incidents that have shocked the nation.
In the most serious incident, 35 people were killed and dozens injured when a car ploughed into crowds of people exercising outside a sports stadium in the southern city of Zhuhai almost two weeks ago, prompting authorities around the country to tighten security measures.
Zhang Jun, president and chief justice of the Supreme People’s Court, told a special meeting of the country’s top courts on Saturday that serious and vicious crimes must be sternly punished, while trials and sentencing must be timely so the public can “truly feel fairness and justice”.
But he said courts should consider lighter punishments for minor social crimes or incidents triggered by social conflict – if the defendant pleads guilty and is forgiven by the victim – to “promote the reform of criminals”.
Zhang also said that when there are repeated incidents in a short space of time, the judicial system should find the source of the problem to help prevent future incidents and focus on strengthening correctional education, as well as support for former convicts and patients with severe mental disorders.
The chief justice also told courts across the country to implement a campaign to “resolve conflict and maintain stability” ordered by the country’s top security body after the Zhuhai car attack, a statement from the supreme court said.
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