Organized crime involving the exploitation, manipulation and direct participation of minors is rampant in some regions, emerging as a key source of new gang recruits, the Supreme People's Procuratorate said on Wednesday.

The SPP reaffirmed that procuratorates will impose severe penalties on offenders who manipulate or exploit minors to commit gang-related crimes.

For minors involved in organized crime, the determination of whether their acts constitute gang-related offenses or qualify them as gang members must be based on a comprehensive assessment, including their physical and mental traits, educational background, growth experience, school or employment status, as well as the gang's motives, the nature and methods of the crimes, harm inflicted, fund sources and usage, and the gang's operation.

In a typical case disclosed Wednesday, a man surnamed Yao began frequenting areas near schools and entertainment venues in Qiqihar, Heilongjiang province, in 2018. After taking a job at an entertainment venue in 2021, he colluded with three others to organize minors in paid companionship services at such venues.

From January 2022 to September 2023, Yao formed a gang that included minors. By designating "campus ringleaders" and posting "quick-cash" ads, he directly or indirectly instigated minors to lure underage students into paid companionship or prostitution at karaoke bars, pubs, music restaurants and other venues. He also arranged personnel to manage these minors, accumulating illegal profits of over 300,000 yuan ($42,680).

Additionally, the gang committed more than 10 offenses, including intentional assault, illegal detention and affray against business operators, managers and other random targets. The crimes caused three people to suffer minor injuries and one to suffer slight injury, led 44 minors to develop bad habits such as drinking, smoking and tattooing, and caused 16 to drop out of school.

In July 2024, Yao was sentenced to 20 years in prison and fined 50,000 yuan. Other defendants received jail terms ranging from three and a half years to 12 years.

Local procuratorial authorities reviewed the case and identified minors who were relatively mature in physical and mental development, clearly aware of the nature of the illegal and criminal activities they participated in, voluntarily involved in the gang, and actively engaged in serious offenses with distinct roles as gang members.

The SPP emphasized that balancing leniency and severity is China's fundamental criminal justice policy. Harsh punishments will target organizers, leaders and core members of mafia-style gangs, as well as their official "protective umbrellas." Strict restrictions also will be placed on the approval of bail pending trial, non-prosecution, probation, sentence commutation, parole and temporary execution of sentences outside prison.