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Combating crime is a major social issue confronting every country
in the modern world. Reforming criminals into lawabiding citizens
is important for the survival of a civilization and the advancement
of a society.
With a population of 1.1. billion, China is the most populous country
in the world. Its crime rate is nevertheless much lower than the
world average due to a series of measures adopted by the political
power of the people to stimulate growth in the economy and maintain
social stability. In spite of this, many crimes still take place
every year, with tens of thousands of people convicted by organs
of justice according to the law. The lawful punishment and reform
of criminals remains an arduous task in China.
China's basic goals in criminal reform are to turn offenders into
a different kind of person, one who abides by the law and supports
himself or herself with his or her own labour, and to re-establish
these people as free citizens in society. China has been successful
in reforming the majority of its criminals, including the last feudal
emperor and various war criminals, turning them into unoffensive,
socially-beneficial, law-abiding citizens. This has safeguarded
the country's social stability, economic development and national
security, at the same time effectively protecting the rights of
its citizens. China has been hugely successful in efforts to reform
its criminals.
China has set up its system of principles, policies and laws for
the reform of criminals based on many years of experience, representing
an important step in the development of a socialist legal system.
This introductory look at criminal reform in China should help the
people of the world better understand our socialist system with
Chinese characteristics.
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