China’s top legislature vows to strengthen discipline for minors involved in bullying

China's top legislature on Friday vowed to strengthen discipline for minors engaged in bullying, and those with serious offenses will be sent to specialized educational institutions, or subjected to public security penalties or criminal charges.

The remarks were made by Yang Heqing, a spokesperson for the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, at a press conference on Friday, following a recent debate about prevention of juvenile crime in China after several cases involving underage offenders.

By noting that the laws on protection of minors as well as on prevention of juvenile delinquency, both revised in 2020, made clear provisions on student bullying, Yang stressed the role of parents, schools, and education authorities in preventing campus bullying.

According to Yang, parents or other guardians are not allowed to condone or incite minors to bully others, while schools should establish a system for preventing and controlling student bullying, and identify and handle student bullying behaviors according to law.

Schools should also provide necessary family education guidance to the parents of relevant minors, and strengthen discipline for minors who engage in bullying behavior. Serious cases of bullying should be promptly reported to the public security organs and education administrative departments, Yang said.

In terms of the responsibilities held by education authorities, Yang emphasized the importance of collaborating with relevant departments to develop a comprehensive bullying prevention and intervention system for students.

If student bullying is deemed as a serious offense, the appropriate authorities should handle the situation in accordance with the law, Yang said. This may involve sending the bully to a specialized school for education, imposing public security penalties, or pursuing criminal charges.

Yang emphasized the importance of parents, schools, and relevant departments, in understanding the detrimental effects of student bullying. He stressed the need to prioritize the prevention and intervention of bullying incidents, underscoring the importance of collaboration and adherence to legal protocols.

Looking ahead, efforts will be made to encourage all stakeholders to enhance awareness through education, ensure the proper enforcement of laws, so as to cultivate a supportive social atmosphere conducive to the well-being of minors.

The remarks of China's top legislature came following a series of efforts made by relevant departments to address juvenile delinquency. China's Supreme People's Court on Monday stressed child protection in divorces, which help prevent situations where the legitimate rights and interests of minors are disregarded, thereby effectively eliminating various negative factors that lead to juvenile delinquency. A number of provinces have also urged local authorities to focus on key groups of underage children, and strengthen the protection provided by family, school and community.