Execution by gunshot discontinued in Liaoning

Northeast China's Liaoning province has become the first province in the country to make lethal injection the standard practice for all its death penalty convicts.

The Higher People's Court of Liaoning announced on Wednesday that all cities in the province have adopted the method, which means execution by gunshot will no longer be used.

"Lethal injection can reduce the fear and suffering experienced by criminals," the court said in a statement on its website.