China tightens judicial rules on children trafficking

BEIJING -- China's top court Thursday issued a judicial interpretation, stipulating stricter rules on child trafficking and related crimes.

According to the interpretation of the Supreme People's Court, coaxing infants or children under the age of six to leave their proper guardians for trafficking purposes will be deemed as child larceny, and subject to harsher penalties than other trafficking crimes.

China's criminal law states that those convicted of female or child trafficking should be sentenced to imprisonment of up to 10 years, while those convicted of child larceny will receive punishment ranging from a minimum of 10 years in prison to the death penalty.

The interpretation also states that workers in medical institutions or welfare organizations that sell children in their custody will be charged with child trafficking.