Most public interest cases resolved early

The majority of public interest litigation contemplated by procuratorates is resolved during pretrial proceedings, before any court hearing, Zhang Jun, head of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, said on Tuesday.

The country's top prosecuting body has been actively exploring how to better handle public interest litigation since it was given the role in 2017.

Last year, prosecutors nationwide handled about 113,000 public interest cases. Of those, some 59,000 (52 percent) involved environmental protection and natural resources. About 41,000 (36 percent) involved food and drug safety, Zhang said in the work report of the top procuratorate delivered during the ongoing session of the 13th National People's Congress.