What Are the Main Limitations of the Chinese Law System in Its Treatment of Criminal Minors, and How Could These Be Improved?

Abstract

The rising rate of juvenile delinquency in China, particularly among minors under 14, has exposed significant limitations in the existing legal framework. This dissertation aims to identify the main deficiencies in the Chinese legal system concerning the treatment of criminal minors and to propose feasible improvements. Employing secondary research, this study analyzes official judicial data, legal provisions (including the 2020 Criminal Law Amendment (XI) and the 2021 Criminal Law Amendment (XI)), and recent case studies, such as the Handan murder case and the Qingyuan sexual assault case. A comparative legal analysis is conducted with Germany's welfare‑oriented juvenile system and the United Kingdom’s “Malice Supplies the Age” doctrine. The findings reveal three primary limitations: an incomplete system for assessing juvenile delinquents’ cognitive ability, an overly narrow scope and high threshold for criminal responsibility (limited to intentional homicide and injury for ages 12–14), and an underdeveloped system of special correctional education. The dissertation concludes that improvements require establishing a multi‑dimensional evaluation system for cognitive capacity, lowering the criminal responsibility threshold to include other heinous crimes such as rape and robbery, and enhancing the professionalism and resources allocated to corrective education. These reforms aim to balance the protection of minors’ rights with the safeguarding of social interests.