On May 15, which marks International Day of Families, the Supreme People’s Court released six exemplary cases highlighting judicial efforts to strengthen family protection for minors. These cases underscore the central role families play in child development and reflect the broader effort to safeguard the well-being of minors through a more robust, law-based framework.

One case involved a minor whose biological parents could not be located. With coordination across government departments — including public security, civil affairs, and local authorities — the court swiftly appointed a legal guardian, ensuring the child could continue schooling. 

In another case, a father used funds belonging to his underage children to make a down payment on a house, failing to register it in their names as agreed. The court delivered a judgment in favor of the children, ordering the father to return the property.

Courts have also taken a firm stance against parental misconduct. In a particularly serious instance, a parent repeatedly abandoned a five-year-old child in public places such as schools and subway stations. The court found the parent guilty of abandonment and issued a criminal sentence accordingly.

Beyond adjudications, courts are increasingly engaged in extending support to resolve underlying family disputes. Measures such as guardianship evaluations, community-based support, and family education initiatives have been used to foster better protection for minors. 

In custody cases where judgment enforcement often faces challenges, courts are exploring more flexible approaches. One example involved the use of social workers to facilitate visitation arrangements, while another featured innovative pre-enforcement warnings and legal education to ensure compliance with custody decisions.

These cases not only uphold the legal rights and interests of minors but also reflect traditional Chinese values of family unity and care for the young. The judiciary aims to continue using legal means to reinforce parental responsibility, and promote coordination among the family, society, school, the internet, government and the judiciary, in a bid to create a safer, more nurturing environment for children to grow and thrive.