The Chinese government will this year push through the reform of its re-education through labor system, according to a national political and legal work conference held in Beijing on Monday.

 

　　The controversial system presently allows police to detain people for up to four years without an open trial. It has led to mounting public criticism and claims that it contradicts high-level laws, including China's Constitution.

 

　　One expert says the public would welcome the abolition of the system, calling for the amendment of laws concerning labor camps.

 

　　China's first labor camp act was enacted in 1957.

 

　　According to the Ministry of Justice, 160,000 people were held in 350 labor camps nationwide as of the end of 2008.