China acts in accordance with int'l practice in dealing with juvenile delinquency: experts

The criminal liability of minors is viewed as a separate issue within the framework of the Chinese legal system, which is in line with international legal ideas, said world experts attending the ongoing 17th International Congress of Penal Law in Beijing.

"In terms of judicial authority and the death penalty, China has granted special protection to minors," said Professor Gao Mingxuan, vice president of International Association of Criminal Law.

Gao said the age for criminal majority in China is set 18, while the minimum age for criminal liability is 14, in line with the international practice. "Minor offenders under 14 are only subjected to educational measures in China."

For minors who break the law, criminal liability is decided by youth courts, specialized judicial authorities with a separate jurisdiction from adult courts, said Gao.

China set up the first youth court in 1984 in east China's Shanghai Municipality. The past 20 years have seen thousands of courts emerge across the country and some provinces is considering establishing the specialized courthouse for youths.

"The practice in other countries also brings some new direction for Chinese penal law scholars to work on," said Gao.

Considering that adolescence can be prolonged into young adulthood, some countries extend the educational measures or alternative sanctions that focus on the rehabilitation of youths to the age of 25, Gao said.

"We have not thought much about that, but it is surely a direction," he said.

Dr. Severo Matino from Argentina was glad to learn that death penalty does not apply to minors in China. "I know China has the death penalty. But it is good that they do not impose it on minors."