China removes nine non-violent and rarely used criminal offenses from capital punishment.
The amended Criminal Law, which will take effect on Nov. 1, removed 9 crimes punishable by death including: smuggling weapons, ammunition, nuclear materials or counterfeit currency; counterfeiting currency; raising funds by means of fraud; arranging for or forcing another person to engage in prostitution; obstructing a police officer or a person on duty from performing his duties; and fabricating rumors to mislead others during wartime.
It is the 2nd time China has reduced the number of crimes punishable by death over the past 5 years.
In 2011, the NPC Standing Committee dropped the death penalty for 13 crimes, reducing the list from 68 to 55.
The death penalty is still used for a wide range of crimes, including non-violent crimes such as corruption and drug-related offenses.
China remains the country with most executions in the world, estimated at 2,400 in 2014.
Source: worldcoalition.org, October 8, 2015