Society
Taiwan jurors help ensure justice is done on mainland
By Tong Hao and Hu Meidong (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-11 07:47
ZHANGZHOU, Fujian: Chen Longfeng, an entrepreneur from Taiwan, is breaking ground in Zhangzhou, Fujian province, where he is serving as a juror in a court case involving a 71-year-old man from Taiwan accused of molesting an 8-year-old Taiwanese girl.
Chen is one of the first people from Taiwan to become a juror on the mainland.
His selection followed Zhangzhou taking the national lead in August when it made eight people from Taiwan who now live on the mainland eligible to serve on juries in trials involving people from Taiwan.
The pilot program was introduced in three county-level courts, including Zhangpu, Xiangcheng and Longhai. So far, Taiwan jury members have taken part in three trials.
"Being a jury member is an honor but a responsibility as well," Chen said. "I'll do my best to be objective and just. My next step will be to collect more voices from Taiwan people in Zhangpu about the case and share them with the judge."
Lin Yihua, chief justice of Zhangzhou Intermediate People's Court (ZIPC), said the decision to involve people from Taiwan in some trials was all about ensuring justice is seen to be done.
"Such a policy helps increase the transparency of trials in the mainland involving Taiwan people and raise their trust in mainland courts and laws," said Lin.
Zheng Tongbin, chief judge of the court for trials involving Taiwan people at ZIPC, said the eight potential Taiwan jurors are available for all relevant trials.
"Usually, one trial will be equipped with one Taiwan jury member to work with the judge," Zheng said.
Before taking part, jurors receive training on mainland laws from college professors and visit court hearings. In addition, they are tested regularly to ensure they have adequate knowledge of the law.
"Currently, the majority of trials involving Taiwan people in Zhangzhou are about business, so the eight jury members we chose are all businessmen, but they will also participate in civil and criminal trials. Next, we plan to select Taiwan people from other sectors of society. In addition, the policy will be spread to all 11 county-level courts in Zhangzhou in 2010," said Lin.
The city has since selected another 16 Taiwan people to be alternate jurors.
Zhangzhou was home to more than 2,394 Taiwan-invested enterprises at the end of May 2009.
Taiwan enterprises in Zhangzhou contribute 60 percent of the city's annual GDP and 56 percent of the local government's tax revenue.
"Selecting Taiwan people as jury members helps local courts win trust from Taiwan investors," said He Xihao, chairman of Zhangzhou Taiwan Investment Association. "Laws in the mainland and Taiwan are different and many Taiwan people don't know much about mainland laws."
