XI'AN - China's newly-elected chief justice during a recent inspection tour outside Beijing has called for bravery in pushing for judicial reform by local courts.

Zhou Qiang, president of the Supreme People's Court, made the remarks during a tour to courts in Northwest China's Shaanxi province from Sunday through Thursday, according to an official statement.

"Courts of various levels should seize the opportunity th

at China's central authorities are pushing for a new round of judicial reform, and strive to achieve new breakthroughs in the reform process," he said.

Zhou said the courts must unswervingly stick to the idea of administering justice for the people and make greater efforts to ensure judicial fairness.

Zhou, holding a master's degree in law, was elected president of the Supreme People's Court at an annual session of the country's top legislature last month.