China's Supreme People's Court (SPC) unveiled sweeping judicial reforms and crime reduction achievements in its annual work report, deliberated by lawmakers during the ongoing National People's Congress session. The comprehensive document highlights progress across public security, anti-corruption measures, and business environment improvements—critical insights for investors and policymakers monitoring Asia's largest economy.
Crime Reduction & Public Safety Milestones
Chinese courts concluded 49,000 violent crime cases in 2024, marking a 28.7% decrease from 2014 levels. High-profile cases including Guangdong vehicular assault and Jiangxi school stabbing incidents resulted in death sentences, with authorities emphasizing deterrence through strict enforcement.
Financial Safeguards & Business Protections
While financial crime cases dropped 12.3% year-on-year to 2.66 million, illicit fundraising cases rose 5.3%. The judiciary intensified scrutiny of profit-driven law enforcement, correcting 46 property rights cases and acquitting 13 individuals to build investor confidence.
Anti-Corruption & International Engagement
A 22.3% surge in duty-related crime convictions included former football coach Li Tie's 20-year sentence. Meanwhile, foreign trust in China's legal system grew, with 417,000 foreign-related commercial cases resolved since 2013 involving parties from over 100 countries and regions.
Innovation Protections & Social Governance
The report highlighted enhanced IPR safeguards for AI and advanced manufacturing sectors, with 494,000 IP cases handled in 2024. Social governance progress showed through a 23.4% decline in credit default listings—the first decrease since China's 2013 blacklist system launch.
