China May Reduce 13 Death Penalties for Economic Crimes

The eighth draft amendment of Criminal Law eliminates capital punishment for 13 economy-related non-violent offences, a drop of 19.1 percent.

China is considering eliminating capital punishment for 13 economic, non-violent crimes in its eighth amendment to the nation’s criminal law, Xinhuanet said Monday.

The number represents 19.1 percent of the total 68 crimes now punishable by death.

Crimes that may exempt from the capital punishment include tax fraud and fraudulent activities involving financial bills, Xinhuanet said. Other offences, including smuggling of cultural relics, precious metals and rare animals or rare animal products would also be downgraded from capital punishment.

The draft of the eighth amendment also said the capital punishment should not be applied to the aged that above 75 years old.

It also lowers the threshold for punishments for crimes of selling fake medicine and causing environmental accidents.

The amendment was submitted for a first reading to the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature. Draft laws are typically read two to three times before being voted on.

China’s Criminal Law was implemented in 1997.