Beijing records a drop in juvenile crimes

Beijing has seen a decline in juvenile crimes in the past five years, with about 30 percent of the offenders given imprisonment of three years or less, according to a report issued by the Beijing High People's Court on Wednesday.

In the report on juvenile justice, the number of minor criminals who received punishment in the capital fell from 229 in 2019 to 96 last year, showing that the juvenile delinquency is on a decline.

The three major crimes committed by the juveniles were rape, theft and indecency, the report said, adding that intentional injury, extortion and disturbance of public order were also frequently seen.

It revealed that 92 percent of the offenders were between 16 and 18 years old at the time of their crimes, with some 40 percent using violent means.

It added that 33 percent of the juvenile criminals were given sentences ranging from one to three years.

Ren Xuefeng, vice-president of the high court, told a news conference that courts citywide have always attached great importance to juvenile crimes.

Highlighting the principle "education first, punishment second" in tackling juvenile cases, he said that first-time young criminals whose offenses were not harmful have been leniently penalized in line with laws.

He added: "We're tolerant but not indulgent in the case handling, meaning that juveniles with high subjective malice and serious social harm must be resolutely punished."