CCTV9英语新闻：Heads of Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuratorate deliver work reports（在线收听）

Zhou Qiang, head of the Supreme People's Court, and Cao Jianming, Procurator-General of the Supreme People's Procuratorate, have delivered their work reports to the National People's Congress. They spoke of continuing "high pressure" against corruption,  and pledged a firm offensive against threats to state security.  

The toughest year in corruption crackdowns. 22 ex-officials at ministerial level or above, including former member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Zhou Yongkang, were prosecuted in 2015.

"The People's courts at all levels concluded 34,000 graft trials, with 49,000 people involved. The accused included 134 former officials at prefecture level and above," 

"And we have improved the trial process against corrupt officials who have fled China in line with the law, and taken active part in pursuing fugitives and recovering assets," said Zhou.

"The procuratorial organs have highlighted investigating and prosecuting major graft cases. 41 ex-officials at ministerial level and above were investigated by prosecutors in accordance with the law," said Cao Jianming, Procurator-Gen. of Supreme People's Procuratorate.

As the country adopted its first National Security Law and counter-terrorism Law. The judicial system pledged a firm offensive against threats to state security.

Chief Justice Zhou Qiang stressed the importance of maintaining national security. Last year, Chinese courts convicted 1,419 criminals harming state security, including those taking part in terrorist attacks and secessionist activities, in 1,084 cases. 

Zhou pledged in the report that Chinese courts will well implement the laws on state security and counter-terrorism and severely punish terrorists and secessionists."

Meanwhile, China has been experimenting with cross-regional jurisdiction to reduce judicial interference, with pilot procuratorates in Beijing and Shanghai.

"They have processed a number of cross-regional crimes such as duty crimes, litigation supervision, as well as cases on food and drug safety, intellectual property, and maritime affairs," said Cao.

Judicial authorities vow to build a dynamic, transparent and people-friendly mechanism in the coming reforms.