More effort is needed to intensify the building of people's tribunals to build a harmonious society, a senior Chinese official said at a national meeting held here in Guangzhou Friday.
   
Luo Gan, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that people's tribunals, the country's lowest courts, are playing a key role in realizing rule of law and building a harmonious society.
   
"Governments and people's courts at all levels should realize the importance and urgency of the construction of people's tribunals," said Luo at a national conference on strengthening the construction of people's tribunals, during which awards were presented to 100 excellent judges and the 100 best people's tribunals.
   
"The construction of people's tribunals, as the major force for the implementation of laws and state policies, should be the key part of the building of the country's grassroots courts," he said.
   
Luo asked that governments at various levels provide necessary help to grass-roots people's courts, which usually suffer from poor equipment and a lack of qualified judges.

(Xinhua News Agency April 9, 2005)