Deepening and diversifying dispute resolution mechanisms play an important role in promoting and modernizing national governance, the head of China’s top court said on May 23.

Zhou Qiang, president of China's Supreme People's Court (SPC), made the remarks when attending a draft review meeting on dispute resolution in Beijing.

Deputies from the National People’s Congress, China's top legislature, members of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, the country's top political advisory body, scholars, legal professionals and mediators at the community-level were invited to the discussion.

Zhou said that the special mediation organization and its mediators should play a bigger role, adding that dispute resolution methods - including lawsuits - should be used effectively in a coordinated manner.

He noted that we should improve the guidance for relevant sectors and promote a healthy development of mediation organizations in various fields, diversifying the training of mediators and using the expertise of scholars and professionals.

Zhou added that disputes should be perceived and solved at an early stage to help maintain social harmony and stability, and to contribute to social and economic development.