China officially clarifies the approval prosecution standards for serious violent crimes committed by minors

China's Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security recently issued a joint document to further refine the standards for approving prosecutions in cases involving minors aged 12 to under 14 suspected of serious violent crimes, clarifying practical issues such as the scope of cases, the determination of "especially egregious circumstances," and the procedures for handling such cases. The relevant provisions state that, in judicial practice, the understanding of "intentional homicide" and "intentional injury" will be further clarified as "committing acts of intentional homicide or intentional injury," so as to avoid barriers in offense classification affecting accountability for serious violent crimes. The document also emphasizes the need to uphold the principle of dual protection, safeguarding both the lawful rights and interests of juvenile suspects and the rights and interests of victims, while also taking into account social order and the public interest. For cases in which prosecution is not approved, the procuratorate may, based on the circumstances, recommend specialized corrective education measures for the relevant minors.