Pilot program given oversight

Authorities watch out for corruption when courts offer lenient sentences

China's judicial authorities have taken measures to prevent corruption and abuse of judicial power after they were given more room to offer leniency to those willing to plead guilty, a senior legislator said on Thursday.

Last September, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, the top legislature, approved a pilot program through which courts can give suspects or defendants lighter punishment if they plead guilty and agree with the sentences suggested by prosecutors.