China to video death penalty appeals

China will video appeal hearings against death sentences from 1st July, Chief Justice Xiao Yang announced last week.

Xinhua News reports the Chief Justice made the announcement at a national working meeting on criminal trials on 23 May.

"Video recording of the entire proceedings will be gradually adopted in appeal hearings of death sentence in open court session so that justice of the process can be ensured," he said.

In February, Xiao Yang confirmed that all appeals against death sentences would be heard in an open court from 1st July, part of a series of reforms to China's justice system. The Supreme People's Court will also be reasserting its power to hear all appeals in death penalty cases.