China's top prosecutor Han Zhubin attended to public appeals and complaints against judicial corruption and misjudgments here today on the first work day of the year 2000.

"The first thing I have been planning to do in the new millennium is to receive people appealing against judicial corruption and misjudgment," said Han, procurator-general of the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP).

"This signifies our determination to adhere to the policy of serving the people whole-heartedly and accepting public supervision over prosecutions," he said.

Of the three cases he heard this afternoon, two were accusations against local courts and procuratorates for illegally meting out harsh penalties.

One pleaded that his father be released in time for the upcoming Spring Festival so he can attend a family reunion. With tears and restrained cries, a couple in their fifties asked for the amelioration of an "injustice" done to their son who is still in detention in Guilin in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Han ordered provincial-level prosecution offices to immediately investigate these cases and handle them in accordance with the law.

Holding the hands of the tearful mother, he said, "Believe in the Party, the government and our prosecution system. We will see that justice is served, no matter who is right."

The practice of heads of procuratorates receiving public appeals began in China in 1992, and has been installed as a fundamental policy for all procuratorates across the country.

Han first introduced this practice into the SPP after being appointed the country's top prosecutor in March 1998.

He and his deputy procurators-general in the SPP have heard 204 cases over the past two years, all of which have been corrected or upheld after due legal process.

This practice plays a significant role in linking prosecutors with the public and allowing them to better understand people's hardship and needs, and it must be adhered to, Han said.