Beijing courts go online for auctions

Beijing courts holding auctions for property will have their proceedings viewed online after the success of a pilot program.

Online facilities for auctions were set up in four courts in Beijing in October 2012, including Beijing No 1 Intermediate People's Court and Chaoyang District People's Court.

The auctions can also be viewed on Taobao, China's largest online shopping service, according to a statement by Beijing High People's Court.

Zhai Jingmin, vice-president of the high people's court, said the online auction will improve judicial transparency.

"Courts are required to disclose related information online, while for high-value real estate auctions they can invite people to visit," Zhai said.

Since the pilot program was introduced, 161 auctions were covered online while Taobao also covered 74 auctions over the past year, the statement said.

"This can also help the public to supervise the work of the courts," Zhai added.

Beijing No 2 Intermediate People's Court successfully sold a city house in May through an online auction on Taobao.

The house, located in Tongzhou district, sold for 1.4 million yuan ($224,758) slightly below the market price.