The Supreme People's Court assigned the Shandong Provincial People's High Court to review a controversial rape and murder case from almost two decades ago in Hebei province to determine if it should be reopened, the top court announced on Friday night.

The court decided to review the case based on the application of the high court in Hebei province and the spirit of related laws and regulations, the court said in a statement.

The review is a necessary step to decide whether to reopen the case.