On June 10, 2021, the NPC Standing Committee (NPCSC) adopted the Revised new Law on the Protection of the Status, Rights, and Interests of Military Personnel [军人地位和权益保障法] to be effective from August 1, 2021). This allows the procuratorates to bring public interest lawsuits against those who “infringe on military personnel’s honour, reputation, and other relevant lawful rights and interests,” thereby “seriously affecting the effective fulfilment of their obligations and mission and harming the societal public interest”.

(Comment: The NPCSC had already broadened the procuratorates’ mandate. The 2018 Heroes and Martyrs Protection Law [英雄烈士保护法] authorizes them to sue over conduct infringing on “the heroes and martyrs’ name, likeness, reputation, or honour that harms the societal public interest.”)