Fewer executions after legal reform

The number of people executed has dropped in the first five months of the year after the Supreme People's Court was again given the right to review and approve all death penalties handed down in the country.

Data from the Beijing No 1 and No 2 intermediate people's courts suggests the number of death sentences in first trials resulting in immediate execution dropped 10 percent year-on-year.

Ni Shouming, spokesman for the highest court, said the situation is similar across the country, but declined to give details.