Meddling in judicial cases could cost Chinese officials their positions or lead to arrest after the government introduced a blacklist to hold those who do so accountable.
According to the new rules unveiled on Monday, judicial personnel are obliged to keep detailed records of interference, no matter who is involved or how. Violators whose interference leads to a wrongful conviction could face criminal penalties if their behavior constitutes a crime.
The rules serve to deter officials who lack respect for the law and believe their administrative power is superior.
China's current drive to advance the rule of law aims to ensure the law can bring justice to every citizen.
Officials at all levels take heavy responsibility in advancing rule of law and doing so depends on those "vital few" people playing their role.
Independent exercise of judicial power is sacred. However, it's not rare for Party and government officials to interfere in judicial activities in China.
Measures have been taken to prevent official meddling before, but were only applied within the judicial system. The blacklist was included in a broader legal reform package adopted by a key session of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee in October to broaden those measures.
The top court's five-year plan for 2009-2013 vowed to set up a system to record illegal interference and increase supervision.
Overwhelming administrative power over judicial authorities at the local level, where their operations are financed by the local budget, often creates a difficult balancing act for those enforcing the law.
The ongoing overhaul of China's judicial system will make it easier to reject interference by giving local courts more financial independence.
It also includes a clear definition of responsibilities in the new rules, which holds three different authorities accountable and ensures the blacklist will be carried out more effectively in practice.
Perhaps it is time now for the "vital few" to know where the "red line" is, shed their indulgence in power and act in awe of the law.
