The national conference of presidents of high people’s courts was held on Jan 13, reviewing the work of courts in 2024 and laying out the main tasks for 2025. It highlighted the need to make further efforts to resolve conflicts and disputes and promote judicial impartiality.

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), delivered a speech at the meeting.

The national conference of presidents of high people’s courts is held on Jan 13. The national model courts and national model judges were honored at the meeting. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Meeting participants reviewed the achievements of courts in 2024, pointing out that the most prominent challenges facing courts are the large number of cases and increasing complexity in resolving disputes. 

They emphasized the need for courts to shoulder greater political and judicial responsibility, and place judicial work in the broader context of the development of the Party and the country, so as to reach a higher level in building a peaceful China and advancing the rule of law in the country through concrete actions.

On the main tasks for courts in 2025, it was emphasized at the meeting that courts must adhere to the right political orientation by upholding the absolute leadership of the Party, strive to maintain national security and social stability, integrate the holistic national security concept into the entire process of adjudication and enforcement, practice the policy of tempering justice with mercy, and ensure rigorous and fair handling of cases based on unified judicial standards.

It was noted at the meeting that the rule of law is an important guarantee for advancing Chinese modernization, and that courts must provide high-quality judicial services to support the country’s high-quality development. Crimes that disrupt the order of the socialist market economy must be severely punished, according to the meeting.

Meeting participants called for overcoming regional protectionism, preventing profit-driven law enforcement and judicial actions, and promoting the construction of a unified national market. Regarding handling cases related to emerging industries, courts were urged to support innovation while mitigating potential security risks to ensure positive judicial outcomes. 

They underlined the need for courts to distinguish between malicious infringement and disputes arising from business cooperation, coordinate strict lawful protection with promoting development, and serve the development of new quality productive forces.

They highlighted the importance of equally protecting the legitimate rights and interests of both domestic and foreign entities to facilitate the country’s higher-standard opening-up.

It was stated at the meeting that efforts should be made to consistently enhance the public's sense of fulfillment in enjoying judicial impartiality. 

Noting that safeguarding people's rights and interests in terms of access to livelihoods and upholding fairness and justice are crucial aspects of ensuring the happiness and well-being of the people, meeting participants urged a precise understanding and application of laws and judicial policies. Courts were encouraged to analyze the trends and causes of judicial cases in key areas, such as marriage and family and the protection of minors, and to leverage judicial adjudication to help address ongoing and emerging challenges.

It was stressed at the meeting that a multi-pronged approach must be taken to enhance the quality and efficiency of judicial adjudication and the credibility of the judiciary. 

Meeting participants called for the implementation of reforms, focusing on addressing significant issues that constrain the improvement of judicial quality and credibility. Prioritizing key areas, they highlighted the need to effectively implement major reform programs to fully support the construction of comprehensive governance centers, and promote the development of diversified dispute resolution mechanisms and coordination mechanisms between litigation and mediation.

The meeting underscored unwavering commitment to full and rigorous governance of courts and Party organizations thereof, and called for upholding the spirit of reform in the process. Noting that the fundamental aspects of judicial credibility and authority lie in fairness and integrity, it called for zero-tolerance of judicial corruption and taking simultaneous, coordinated and comprehensive steps to see that officials do not have the audacity, opportunity or desire to become corrupt.

Zhang Jun, president of the Supreme People’s Court, presents Scale of Honor medals to Han Deyang and Xiao Mengkui at the meeting. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

The national model courts and national model judges are honored at the national conference of presidents of high people’s courts. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Deng Xiuming, executive vice-president of the SPC, presided over the meeting. 

The contributions of national model courts and national model judges were recognized at the meeting.

The national conference of presidents of high people’s courts is held on Jan 13. The participants included presidents of high people’s courts; the director, deputy directors, and secretary-general of the Consultative Committee of the Supreme People's Court; national lawmakers and political advisors; relevant officials of central Party and State organs; as well as representatives of national model courts and national model judges. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

The leading officials of high people’s courts across the country and the principal officials of the departments of the Supreme People’s Court attend the conference via video link. [Photo/court.gov.cn]