China's top procuratorate pledges stringent punishment for sexual assaults on minors

BEIJING - Severely punishing perpetrators of sexual assaults on minors has been listed as one of the focuses of procuratorial agencies in China over the next five years, according to the country's top procuratorate.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) on Friday published a document listing objectives for the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-2025), urging prosecutors to participate in the investigation of relevant cases at an early stage.

For cases involving juvenile victims, a one-time questioning procedure should be adopted to avoid questioning multiple times, the document noted. It also called for enhanced judicial assistance for minors.

Besides, the SPP has recommended implementing a system of blacklisting individuals convicted of sexual offenses against minors, banning them from working in certain industries.

Vowing efforts to maintain a tough stance against serious felonies, the SPP said crackdowns on organized crimes and "protective umbrellas" harboring such illegal activities should be carried out on a regular basis.

The SPP has also called on procuratorial agencies to better participate in the country's integrated management of cyberspace activities, saying that evidence rules for proceedings against cybercrimes will be further improved.