Top Judge Calls For Promoting Open Trials 　　China's top judge Xiao Yang on January 20 called for open trials to become more widely practiced, as a way to ensure judicial fairness and eliminate corruption. 　　During his fact-finding tour of southwest China's Guizhou Province, the president of the Supreme People's Court said the open trial procedure is stipulated in China's Constitution and is an integral part of the judicial system. Therefore, it should be practiced by people's courts at all levels. 　　All cases should be tried openly except those involving national security, individual privacy or crimes committed by juvenile delinquents. 　　Xiao said open trials will put all court activities under the supervision of the public and media, thus effectively preventing the friends of alleged criminals trying to sway the opinions of judges by bribery or other methods. 　　The practice can also help judges to maintain their personal integrity, in addition to encouraging prosecutors, lawyers and people's juries to play their proper parts in court. 　　Xiao said TV coverage of trials, including live broadcasts, is a good way to educate people in law and legal work and should be encouraged. HomeNews 1999-01-21 Page3 Full Story in Chinese