Campaign boosts management of livelihood-related crimes

BEIJING - China's prosecutorial organs will kick off a nine-month campaign in April to strengthen the handling of criminal cases concerning food and drug safety, agriculture, environmental resources and other fields closely related to people's well-being.

According to a statement released Thursday by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP), in an effort to check some corrupt prosecutors who intentionally drop cases or reduce charges, the campaign will focus on the transfer and investigations of cases that severely affect people's interests.

The SPP noted that existing issues with the work of law enforcement organs, including slack supervision and fines levied in cases that call for criminal penalties, have triggered public anger. It did not offer specific examples.

It also vowed to ensure the efficient handling of criminal cases that are closely related to people's interests while strengthening communication with public security and administrative departments in information sharing and case transfers.

Prosecuting organs have seen results in cracking down on livelihood-related crimes, as 5,576 people were arrested and 11,251 were indicted in the past five years for producing and selling counterfeit drugs and harmful food products.

Another 595 people were arrested and 640 indicted for illegally obtaining and trading citizens' personal information, figures from the SPP show.