Hard line taken on acts against children

China's top court on Wednesday vowed "zero tolerance" and tough punishments, including the death penalty, for those who hurt children.

The comments follow the execution of two child killers and two serial rapists.

"We've given, and will continue to give, heavier punishments to those who harm juveniles, especially those who make use positions of trust, such as teachers, or who target students to get revenge on society," an official of the No 1 Criminal Division at the Supreme People's Court said in a written statement provided by the court.