People's courts across the country should give full play to their judicial functions to punish criminal syndicates and Mafia-like gangs and ensure that people live and work in peace and contentment, social order prevails, and the country in long-term stability.

Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), made the remarks ahead of a meeting themed on advancing the trials of cases arising from the campaign of combating organized crime and rooting out local mafia on an ongoing basis on Nov 24, 2021.

Zhou urged courts nationwide to further integrate thoughts and actions into the implementation of decisions and deployment made by the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

He also stressed a holistic approach to national security as well as the people-oriented principle when the courts deal with cases involving gang-related property, gang-crime-related corruption, and "protective umbrellas" for mafia-style groups, so as to form a powerful deterrent.

Efforts should also be made to promote the courts' experience gained in the campaign, conduct more research under emerging and challenging circumstances, and improve the ability of criminal court workforce, Zhou added.