Chinese procuratorates publicize nearly 200,000 cases

 China's procuratorates at all levels have publicized information of nearly 200,000 cases since a policy promoting judicial openness was put into effect early this month.
The information publicized includes procedural information of 197,079 cases, 8,301 items from major cases, and 15,528 legal documents, the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) said.
Wang Jin, an official with the SPP, said at a press conference Friday that the openness of case information is important to promote the transparency of procuratorates. Parties involved in cases can make inquiries online using accounts provided by procuratorates.
Procuratorates in charge of cases with major social influence will release information through the media and Internet.
Procuratorates in 31 provincial regions have launched case information disclosure websites, while 27 provincial and over 1,600 prefecture-level procuratorates have launched official microblog accounts, and 400 procuratorates have Wechat accounts, the official said.
The information has been available since Oct. 1, when a regulation on case information disclosure came into effect.
Wang said that, in a bid to protect the privacy of the state and people, information about state and business secrets, personal privacy, and crimes committed by minors will not be available for inquiries. In addition, personal information contained in open legal documents has been hidden.
In another development, the Supreme People's Court said Friday that all higher courts will hold press conferences on a monthly basis starting next year.
Jing Hanchao, vice president of the SPC, encouraged intermediate courts in major cities to hold monthly press conferences as well. Other intermediate courts shall hold press conferences on a bi-monthly basis, Jing said.
Lower courts should also hold regular press conferences, added Jing, who urged courts at all levels to train spokespersons.