June 23, 2008 

Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, attends the meeting of high-level judiciaries held in Beijing on June 23, 2008. [Xinhua Photo]

A senior Chinese leader has urged the country's judiciary staff to have closer ties with citizens, and strive to meet the legal demands of the masses.

The work of the judiciary organs should be evaluated by people's feedback, said Zhou Yongkang, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.

The feedback should serve as the "ruler" and "barometer" of the courts' work, said Zhou while addressing delegates attending a meeting of high-level judiciaries held in Beijing from Sunday to Monday.

He called for more judiciary efforts to help the vulnerable who cannot afford legal aid and to maximize the legal demands of the people.

The Chinese judiciary system would draw on the positive practice of foreign countries based on its own conditions, said Zhou.

A qualified judge would be able to know what the people needed, eliminate their worries, safeguard their interests and win their trust.

He also called justice and fairness the lifeline of the people's court and measures must be taken to prevent judiciary corruption.

Zhou championed the importance of team building among the judiciary, asking judges be corruption-free.