Zhang Jun, secretary of the Leading Party Members Group and president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), has urged further reform in the judicial field as part of its efforts to implement the guiding principles of the just-concluded third plenary session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC). 

Zhang made the remarks while presiding over an expanded meeting of the SPC's Leading Party Members Group on July 19. The meeting was  called to study the guiding principles of the third plenary session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, a key reform-themed meeting which ran from July 15 to 18. 

Zhang pointed out the strategic significance and far-reaching implications of the third plenary session, saying that studying and implementing the guiding principles of the session is a long-term major political task. He emphasized the need to implement the decisions and major plans outlined at the crucial meeting by integrating judicial reform with the modernization of judicial work.

It is essential to closely align with the practical work, deeply understand and adhere to the themes, overall objectives, major principles, significant measures and fundamental guarantees of further comprehensively deepening reform, Zhang said. 

He underlined the need to serve the overall development of the country and serve the people with judicial services, deepen judicial reforms, and strive to support and serve China's modernization through the modernization of judicial work. 

In implementing the guiding principles of the third plenary session, Zhang outlined the key requirements – upholding the absolute leadership of the Party in judicial work, acting with the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, advancing judicial reforms to serve and facilitate further reform in all respects, and effectively promoting all aspects of judicial work with solid and effective measures. 

He pointed out that the commitment to law-based governance on all fronts is listed as one of the guiding principles for further deepening reform at the plenum, which fully demonstrates the role of the rule of law in consolidating foundations, ensuring stable expectations, and delivering long-term benefits, and also presents new and higher requirements for the people's courts to further comprehensively deepen reform. 

It is crucial to always take a people-centered approach, safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of the people in accordance with the law, protect and improve people's livelihoods, strengthen the foundation of the Party's governance of the country, and build up strengths for advancing Chinese modernization, Zhang said. 

He also called for efforts to coordinate development and security, resolutely uphold national security and social stability, base actions on judicial functions to prevent and defuse major risks, and create a favorable environment for the country to further comprehensively deepen reform. 

Attendees at the meeting unanimously agreed that the plenary session signifies a critical juncture in China's modernization drive and national rejuvenation efforts. They concurred that the resolution adopted at the third plenary session, including the reform steps outlined, represents a significant and unprecedented effort towards deepening reform and advancing Chinese modernization.