judicial organs, and that had had two advantages. Firstly, when public security organs were placed within the judiciary system, they could supervise and check the judiciary and courts; there was then mutual supervision and problems of the abuse of authority were avoided. Secondly, the management and re-education of prisoners were strengthened thereby. Chinese experience was that the change had also helped improve the calibre of law enforcement officers. 23. In reply to the question whether there were any political prisoners in China, he denied that any existed. Chinese criminal law divided offences into two categories: counter-revolutionary offences and ordinary offences. Under Chinese criminal law, persons whose activities were aimed at overthrowing the people's democratic dictatorship and the socialist system or who wrought harm against the People's Republic of China had committed a counter-revolutionary offence. To have committed a counter-revolutionary offence, a person must have tried not only to overthrow State power and the socialist system, but his acts must also have constituted a threat to the security of the State. Merely contemplating counter-revolutionary acts was not an offence: a counter-revolutionary act must be committed for there to be an offence. There were therefore no prisoners of conscience or political prisoners in China. 24. In response to a question concerning military prisons, he confirmed that if soldiers on duty committed offences, the cases were dealt with by a military procuratorate and tried by military courts and their sentences were enforced by military organs. CAT/C/SR.51 page 7 25. Several members of the Committee had inquired about rehabilitation through labour. That practice was carried out according to the Decision of the Council of State approved on 1 August 1957 at the 78th meeting of the Standing Committee of the First National People's Congress. The Decision had been promulgated on 3 August 1957. Rehabilitation through labour was also 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the legal system and practices in China, specifically the relationship between public security organs and the judiciary, the classification of crimes, and the rehabilitation of prisoners. This suggests that the topic is related to the administration of justice, which is a key aspect of a country's governance.

**Category**
Justice, Law Enforcement