Tech cooperation helps solve more police, court cases

Chinese government departments, including public security bureaus and courts, are increasing efforts to cooperate with technology enterprises to further efficiently solve cases.

Thanks to technology applications, such as artificial intelligence and big data, "we've helped more families find their missing children and witnessed more family reunions," said Meng Qingtian, deputy director of the anti-human trafficking office with the Ministry of Public Security.

She made the remark during a forum on how technology aids judicial work, jointly held by Legal Daily and Alibaba, one of largest technology and internet enterprises in the country, in Beijing on Monday.

She introduced how in recent years the ministry has cooperated with technology companies, including Alibaba, to prevent children from being trafficked.

For example, the ministry has launched an online platform for disclosing information on missing children with the support of several technology or internet companies since May 2016, she said, adding the platform has helped 3,599 missing children return home.

"The missing kids' information will be shared immediately on the platform after we receive parents' reports, and the companies will forward our messages as soon as possible," she said. "It can make more people see the information and increase the efficiency of our work."

Deng Guodong, a police officer responsible for the fight against cross-border frauds at the Guangdong Provincial Public Security Bureau, agreed with her. He said police have learned to make use of online data from technology companies to collect evidence, which is effective to help solve frauds.

Wang Li, vice-president of the country's first court specializing in internet-related disputes, the Hangzhou Internet Court in East China's Zhejiang province, also welcomed the application of technology in handling cases.

The better use of the internet means more convenience to litigants will be offered, according to Wang. 

The court is ordered to run the proceedings largely online, which means filing lawsuits, mediation, evidence exchange, case hearings and delivery of a ruling can be conducted through the internet platform.

All the officials said they will study more about technology and increase cooperation with technology or internet companies to further implement the rule of law across the country.