Government : Execution only for heinous crimes with `` grave social consequences '' Human rights groups estimate 1,700-5,000 people were executed in China last year . Comment: `` This is a small incremental step , but a step in the right direction , '' Victor Gao says .
Government : Execution only for heinous crimes with `` grave social consequences '' Human rights groups estimate 1,700-5,000 people were executed in China last year . 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 , '' Victor Gao says .