（单词翻译:单击）
For more on the issue, we're joined by my colleague Zhangnini. Hello, Nini.
1. Tell us more about the highlights of these reforms - what were the key points of this morning’s press conference?
Zhang: China announced plans to bring deeper reforms to its judiciary and criminal justice system at the recently concluded the Third Plenary Session of the Communist Party of China's Central Committee. Today, Vice1 Minister of Justice, Zhao Dacheng, has listed six areas in which further reforms will be carried out - these are prison administration, rehabilitation2, legal counsel, judicial3 relief and legal aid, mediation4 and raising legal awareness5 among the general public. In terms of legal aid, Zhao Dacheng says China will boost spending to provide free legal assistance for more people. More than 28 provinces and cities have already set up standards on legal aid. The ministry6 wants more efforts to strengthen the system, to guarantee equal and impartial7 protection by law for all citizens. The ministry also vows8 to make prison administration and operation more open, institutionalized, and scientific.
"China will further improve legal transparency. All relevant information and documents should be available to the public, and to defendants9 and their families. We will also improve and adjust the methods of disclosure. And we will use information technology to facilitate openness and accessibility, breaking from past practices, when notices were simply posted on to walls." Zhao Dacheng, vice minister of Justice, said.
Efforts are also underway to establish a system of legal counsel, and to increase the role of lawyers in courts.
"China will continue to improve the professionalism and expertise10 of lawyers, and strengthen mechanisms12 to monitor the actions of lawyers. We will also strengthen lawyers’ professional ethics13, and to give full play to the lawyers’ key role of serving their clients." Zhao Dacheng, vice minister of Justice, said.
The vice minister also emphasized the importance of community rehabilitation, instead of imprisonment14 for people who commit minor15 crimes. The ministry is to continue to improve the system, and make it easier for criminals to return to society.
2. The "Third Plenum" proposed the goal of establishing an efficient, fair and authoritative16 judicial system in China. What more can you tell us?
Zhang: The "Third Plenum" lists six principles to enhance the judicial system in China. The party resolution calls for more efforts to protect people’s rights and ensure justice and fairness in every trial. The goal is also set to ensure independence and fairness in courts and prosecuting17 bodies, and reduce the power of provincial18 governments that oversee19 the functioning of local courts. One important initiative from the "Third Plenum" is to end the interference of the Commission of Politics and Law. Analysts20 believe this is an important step to enhance credibility and transparency of the judiciary. China’s judiciary has often been criticized for being susceptible21 to outside interference--power, money and bureaucratic22 influence. In some criminal cases, outcomes are decided23 before the trial begins..... some judges are government-appointed, and court proceedings24 are largely opaque25. The system therefore cannot be seen as an independent and impartial arbitrator of the rule of law. A series of initiatives were announced at the third plenum to reform the mechanism11. This will pave the way for safeguarding the judicial system from perversion26 by local political and business connections and protectionism. Meanwhile, China’s Supreme27 People’s Court has also undertaken a number of initiatives in an attempt to ensure transparent28 proceedings, improve authority of trial judges, and encourage the involvement of litigants29 and their lawyers.
