Top court seeks to ensure quality of construction projects

China's top court has reiterated the need to improve the quality of construction projects and regulate the construction market order by rule of law, calling for great judicial efforts to build a safer environment for the public.

With six notable cases released on Monday, the Supreme People's Court ordered courts at all levels to guide construction market entities to operate legally, thereby contributing to the development of a strong quality nation and the high-quality development of the economy and society.

"The quality of construction projects is a matter of utmost concern and practical interest to the people, as it relates to the safety of their lives and property, as well as the future and heritage of the city," the top court said.

It required courts nationwide to enhance the quality and efficiency of trials related to the construction quality management, urging planners, builders and managers of the construction projects to prioritize safety above all else through judicial measures.

In one disclosed case, a township government contracted a slope construction project on a road to a company, with an agreement that the project details would be based on the design drawings and listed items.

After completion, heavy rain caused the retaining wall to collapse. An assessment determined that the collapse was due to the government's design drawings not meeting technical standards. Following negotiations, the company still repaired the damage according to the original design.

However, the road later experienced tilting and subsidence. The government then provided new drawings and a repair plan, but a dispute arose over who should bear the cost of the additional repairs.

The government filed a lawsuit in a local court, requesting that the company carry out the repairs in line with the new drawings and bear the repair costs.

After a trial, the grassroots court ruled that both the government and the company were responsible for sharing the repair costs due to their respective faults.

The court identified the government as primarily at fault because the initial design drawings they provided were flawed. However, the company, despite being aware of the design issues, went ahead with the repairs based on those drawings and was thus held accountable for 30 percent of the repair costs.

The top court highlighted the case, noting that construction is a comprehensive activity that integrates surveying, design, construction and supervision, which means all parties involved should take responsibility for the quality of the construction project within their respective areas of duty, working together to ensure the safety and quality of the project.

"The ruling in this case underscored the importance of thoroughly reviewing documents such as design drawings," the top court said. "Additionally, it serves as a reminder to construction companies that following the drawings does not absolve them of responsibility. If defects in the design drawings are identified, they should promptly report the issues instead of proceeding with construction based on flawed drawings."