On Jan 22, the Supreme People’s Court (SPC) held a symposium with representatives from different sectors of society to solicit opinions and suggestions on the SPC’s draft work report and judicial adjudication. Zhang Jun, president of the SPC, attended the meeting.

The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) holds a symposium with representatives from different sectors to solicit opinions on the SPC’s draft work report and judicial adjudication on Jan 22. Zhang Jun, president of the SPC, attends the meeting. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Participants from diverse fields shared their views, reflecting on how courts have made justice more accessible and tangible. 

Participants included deputies to the National People’s Congress, representatives from community organizations, food delivery worker, and experts from various sectors. Drawing on their experience in their fields, they shared reflections on the work of courts over the past year and expressed general support for the SPC’s draft work report. 

Representatives from mountainous and remote areas said courts have delivered justice to their doorsteps through mobile tribunals, saving them the trouble of travelling. A representative of food delivery workers noted that typical cases released by courts provided clear guidance for protecting their rights and interests. Other representatives said that the SPC’s practice of inviting public input reflects a strong sense of responsibility and commitment to serving the people. Many also said the draft work report was practical and well-structured, noting that the data and analysis reflected the dedication and hard work of courts.

Representatives from departments involved in legal work and the protection of specific groups’ rights also attended the symposium, affirming the achievements of courts in safeguarding people’s livelihoods.

Deputies to the National People’s Congress Long Rong, Bai Yongkang, Liu Hanyuan, Ruan Xiangyan, Li Jianyu, Li Ziwei, and Tan Shuangjian; Ma Shanxiang, head of the “Lao Ma Studio” in Guanyinqiao subdistrict; food delivery worker Sun Xihe; Chen Yongquan from the China Dramatists Association; and Xu Dongsheng from the China Consumers Association share views on the work of courts over the past year from their respective fields and express overall support for the draft work report of the Supreme People’s Court. [Photo/court.gov.cn]

Representatives from the Social Work Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions, the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China, the All-China Women’s Federation, the China Disabled Persons’ Federation, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs speak at the symposium. [Photo/court.gov.cn] 

Based on their work experience and grassroots governance practice, participants put forward 43 suggestions, including strengthening bilingual legal services in border regions, improving mechanisms to enforce judgment enforcement, promoting legal education in special education schools, enhancing copyright protection for original works and further enriching the content on the protection of women’s rights in the report.

Zhang thanked the participants for their valuable suggestions, saying that their input would help the SPC further improve the report, deepen the administration of justice, consciously accept supervision, and strive to win broader public support. 

Reviewing courts’ work over the past year, he said courts at all levels have upheld strict and impartial justice, focused on substantive dispute resolution, and continuously improved the quality and efficiency of the administration of justice.

Upholding the people-centered approach, courts have properly handled cases concerning people’s livelihoods, strengthened legal interpretation and public legal education, and worked to ensure that the public can feel fairness and justice in every judicial case, Zhang noted.

He said courts have carried forward the “Fengqiao Experience”, strengthened coordination mechanisms, expanded the use of mediation, and advanced source-based and diversified dispute resolution to enhance  the rule of law. He added that courts have actively accepted supervision, standardized the exercise of judicial power, strengthened discipline, and punished judicial corruption with zero tolerance.

Looking ahead, Zhang emphasized that courts are facing heavier responsibilities as the public raises higher expectations for the judiciary and the development environment becomes more complex. He called on all sectors of society to continue to support, supervise, and engage with courts to further promote high-quality judicial work and ensure a strong start for the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30).

The symposium was chaired by the SPC’s Vice-President Wang Zhongming and attended by members of the SPC leadership and officials from relevant departments.