SPC encourages petitions by video chat

BEIJING - China's top court will discourage petitioners from taking their grievances to Beijing by offering them video chats with officials, it announced on Friday.

The move, which will be targeted particularly at repeat petitioners, will make it more convenient and efficient for people to seek redress over court decisions, according to the Supreme People's Court (SPC).

All petitioners can apply for video chats with SPC judges at local courts, it said.

In China, people can "petition" government authorities at various levels over disputes and grievances ranging from land grabs to power abuse. To make their voice better heard, many citizens travel from far and wide to the capital in the hope of speaking to the central authorities.