Courts ordered to report interfering officials

Chinese courts have been told to record, report and blame officials who interfere in cases or with judicial work, under a new guideline issued by the country's top court on Wednesday.

The guideline orders all courts to tackle cases independently, to keep verdicts away from external interference, and to refuse to carry out illegal instructions from any institution or individual, according to the Supreme People's Court.

The officials mentioned in the guideline include those working for Party, legislative, administrative, military and procuratorial departments, and leading officers at State-owned enterprises and social organizations, as well as retired officials.