Chinese courts and banks linked to monitor defaulters' property

BEIJING -- Chinese courts, government branches and banks have established an internal network to better inquire and control deposits of those who default on court fines.

A nationwide network was launched by the Supreme People's Court on Wednesday, linking 27 higher courts, the Ministry of Public Security, industrial watchdogs, headquarters of commercial banks and banking and securities regulators.

The network allows law enforcement staff to control the debtors' money via the Internet. "Through the network, (authorities) can inquire the defaulters' deposit in 3,000 banks across the country within one hour," said SPC official Liu Guixiang.

Authorities hope to develop it to cover more departments and all bank branches, allowing them to monitor the defaulters' travel, hotel records and equities such as the shares, houses, vehicles, lands and mines, according to the SPC.