Yangtze region courts emphasize environmental protection, see drop in crime

Courts in the Yangtze River Delta have intensified efforts to handle civil and administrative disputes in recent years to smooth the way for high-quality economic and social development in the region, a report said on Tuesday.

According to the report, which was issued by the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, courts in Shanghai and the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Anhui, concluded more than 6.72 million civil cases and 115,000 administrative cases between 2019 and June this year.

"The courts focused on the major issues and practical demands of regional economic and social growth, giving stronger legal support and service to technological and industrial innovation, as well as to associated reforms," Gao Jinghong, vice-president of the top court, said.

While increasing joint protection on intellectual property rights, regional courts also gave priority to environmental cases, upholding the environmental protection of the Yangtze River and laying solid foundations for green development locally, he added.

According to the report, regional courts saw a drop in criminal cases between 2019 and June this year, and have also placed greater emphasis on resolving livelihood-related offenses, such as telecom fraud and food safety.