China executes two sexual offenders

Two men found guilty of sexually assaulting underage students here have been executed, following the orders of China's Supreme People's Court (SPC), a SPC statement said on Monday.

To address frequent sexual assaults of minors, China has doled out heavier punishments to offenders, and warned students to possess greater safety awareness, Xinhua reported, citing the statement.

The two criminals include Wang Yong, who deceived and raped 16 schoolgirls between 2010 and 2012 in China's Anhui province, causing severe damage to their physical and mental health.

Eight of the 16 girls were under 14 years of age. Wang also committed crimes of extortion.

The other criminal, Hu Cunbiao assaulted and robbed women and schoolgirls from 2004 to 2012 in China's Shandong province, and also raped 11, seven of whom were under 14 years of age, causing severe injuries to one girl.

The SPC urged all primary and middle schools to improve sexual and online safety education.

It also called for efforts from families, schools, society and judicial organs to prevent and reduce sexual assaults against minors.