Chief Justice Zhou Qiang and Procurator-General Cao Jianming delivered their annual work reports on March 5 reviewing the work of the judiciary sector in 2016. Among all the topics in the work reports of China’s Supreme People’s Court and Supreme People’s Procuratorate, anti-corruption-related legal achievements grabbed the biggest headlines.

Fight against terrorism and national security-related crimes

Zhou promised to keep a firm hand on crimes undermining national security and on violent and terrorist crimes in accordance with the law.

—Press Trust of India

Anti-corruption drive

China’s top prosecutor has pledged that there will be no easing off in the country’s anti-corruption campaign.

—Straits Times

Education

China has pledged to keep up heavy spending on education reform in order to close its urban-rural education gap.

Among the priorities are hiring and retaining teachers in the nation’s poorer parts, and improving the quality of instruction, said Education Minister Chen Baosheng.

—Straits Times

High-tech industry

Speaking at a news conference in the capital, Beijing, on March 11, 2017, the Minister of Science and Technology, Wan Gang, announced that government is providing 17 billion yuan (about 1,512 billion FCFA) for the setting up of businesses. Wang said the country’s 146 high-tech zones also support micro and small enterprises to grow.

He emphasized the role of research, saying 172 Hong Kong researchers have come over to the mainland to help manage key scientific projects.

Meanwhile, government plans to build an industrial park in the country’s economic hub, Shenzhen, which lies adjacent to Hong Kong.

—Cameroon Tribune