How Death Row Is Different Around The World
2. China
China’s execution rates are on a fairly fast decline, but it’s all relative - they still carry out the majority of the world’s capital punishment. While the catalog of crimes that result in death are under constant review, the selection remains wide and varied (over 40 crimes carry the sentence), including the somewhat vague “undermining morale” (a wartime crime).
The only nation to consistently hit quadruple digits in executions, China in theory has stringent checks in place before the sentence is handed out, with an appeals system to ensure justice is carried out correctly. The conviction rate is over 99%, but the legal system is geared heavily towards the prosecution.
From there, though, executions can be carried out at a brutally efficient rate. There are no fixed spots for the process, and there have been numerous reports of so-called execution vans to speed up the justice system even further.
While in the decline, societal support for the death penalty remains well above 80%. While external critics exist, the political climate around China means they remain relatively free from scrutiny even as the legal system remains oblique and ruthless.