Firmer Hand to Deal with Juvenile Crimes

China will take a firmer hand in the enforcement of the Law on Juvenile Delinquency, in a bid to raise awareness of the law among young people and to protect their rights and interests.

The announcement was made at a three-day symposium on implementing the law. The symposium in Beijing ended Wednesday.

The gathering, sponsored by the National People's Congress (NPC) Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC), was held on the eve of the first anniversary of the law's approval on June 28, 1999.

Wan Chaofen, vice-chairwoman of the NPC Committee for Internal and Judicial Affairs, called on departments to intensify legal education among China's juveniles. Curbing juvenile delinquency must be done while also protecting the rights of juveniles, Wan added.

Zhou Qiang, first secretary of the CYLC Central Committee, said the CYLC, as the bridge between the Party and Chinese youths, is responsible for promoting the law.

Senior officials from seven central government departments and representatives from 16 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions aired their views during the symposium.



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