He made the comments at an SPC meeting on judicial reform on Dec 29, 2015. He said relevant departments should analyze experience of the pilot program and devise feasible reform plans based on the views of higher-level inspectors from the central authorities.

China initiated the people’s jury system in 1951 and in recent years has decided to bring it more in line with social and economic development.

Zhou said the jury system is important for advancing justice and improving the credibility of the court system. Courts at various levels should search for solutions to problems exposed in the pilot reform program to improve the system.

Selection of the jurors should be improved, he said. The scope of selection should be expanded and jurors should be selected on a truly random basis to improve their representativeness. Jurors should play an important role in deciding influential cases, such as those involving land requisition, environmental protection, and drug and food security, he said. He added that an information platform for jurors should be established and training should be strengthened.

Shen Deyong, vice-president of the SPC, was also present at the meeting.