Government : Execution only for heinous crimes with `` grave social consequences '' Human rights groups estimate 5,000 people were executed in Beijing last year . the Supreme Court overturned 10 percent of death sentences last year after review . Legislation will be enacted to restrict the number of death sentences imposed and the court will tighten restrictions on the use of capital punishment , according to Zhang . `` This is a small incremental step , but a step in the right direction , '' Emily Chang says .
Government : Execution only for heinous crimes with `` grave social consequences '' Human rights groups estimate 5,000 people were executed in Beijing last year . the Supreme Court overturned 10 percent of death sentences last year after review . `` This is a small incremental step , but a step in the right direction , '' Emily Chang says .