Book contents
- Capital Drug Laws in Asia
- Capital Drug Laws in Asia
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Tables
- Chart
- Contributors
- Table of Cases
- Table of Statutes
- Table of International Treaties
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- Part I Executing States
- 2 China’s ‘Killing Less’ Policy for Drug Crimes and the Role of the Judiciary
- 3 Normative Legitimacy of Iran’s Capital Drug Law and Its Application
- 4 Debate and Contestation in Singapore’s Death Penalty
- Part II People on Death Row
- Part III Actors and Agencies
- Part IV States in Transition
- Index
- References
2 - China’s ‘Killing Less’ Policy for Drug Crimes and the Role of the Judiciary
from Part I - Executing States
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 07 August 2025
By
Book contents
- Capital Drug Laws in Asia
- Capital Drug Laws in Asia
- Copyright page
- Contents
- Tables
- Chart
- Contributors
- Table of Cases
- Table of Statutes
- Table of International Treaties
- Abbreviations
- 1 Introduction
- Part I Executing States
- 2 China’s ‘Killing Less’ Policy for Drug Crimes and the Role of the Judiciary
- 3 Normative Legitimacy of Iran’s Capital Drug Law and Its Application
- 4 Debate and Contestation in Singapore’s Death Penalty
- Part II People on Death Row
- Part III Actors and Agencies
- Part IV States in Transition
- Index
- References
Summary
Since 2007, reform-minded judges have sought to curb the over-zealous use of the death penalty in China. This includes strengthening central control over judicial decision-making and enhancing due process in both pre-trial and trial proceedings. In terms of drug-related crimes, Chinese courts have gradually raised the threshold quantity of drugs trafficked, narrowed the scope of criminals who would attract the death penalty, and imposed a heavier burden of proof on the prosecution. These measures have significantly reduced the execution rate for drug crimes. Although remaining relatively weak in China’s political structure, Chinese courts have played an essential role in restricting the use of the death penalty for drug-related crimes. As the Party-state needs to rely on the rule of law for political legitimacy, promote economic development, and improve social governance, Chinese courts have been allowed a degree of institutional autonomy and professionalism. They can be expected to further reform China’s death penalty system and restrict the use of the death penalty. The Chinese courts may be the best hope for an ‘execution-rare’ China in the longer-term future.
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- Capital Drug Laws in Asia , pp. 21 - 52Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2025
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