China's top court has underscored the importance of resolving military-related disputes, emphasizing the need for strong legal support to strengthen national defense and advance military modernization.

Ahead of the 99th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army, the Supreme People's Court, on Friday, released details of four landmark military-related cases, highlighting the critical role of protecting the lawful rights and interests of military personnel in safeguarding national interests and ensuring military stability.

The cases address key judicial issues involving military rights and interests, including the protection of military land, the restructuring of defense industry enterprises, the protection of veterans' rights and interests, and legal aid for service members and their families.

One representative case involved a manufacturer of special vehicles with defense-related qualifications. The company fell into severe financial difficulties because of strategic business missteps, forcing it to suspend production and prompting creditors to seek bankruptcy restructuring.

Recognizing the importance of maintaining defense production capacity, the local court allowed the company to continue operating under supervision during the restructuring process. The arrangement helped preserve the company's assets and business relationships while securing financing from common-interest creditors.

As a result, the company was able to complete military orders worth hundreds of millions of yuan during the restructuring process and pass military acceptance inspections. After creditors approved a repayment-and-business restructuring plan, the court granted legal approval, putting the defense contractor back on a sustainable footing.

"Hardware is a key indicator of modernized armed forces, and defense contractors are critical to national defense," the SPC said. It praised the lower court for tailoring its approach to the company's circumstances and military needs, using a court-government coordination mechanism to guide its recovery.

By unlocking the value of dormant assets, balancing the interests of all stakeholders and focusing on long-term sustainability, the lower court helped the defense contractor stage a turnaround, the top court said, adding, "this ruling demonstrates judicial resolve in supporting military development and defense preparedness while securing defense supply chains and strengthening combat capability".

Another case involved a soldier surnamed Zhang who was stationed in a high-risk border area. He received legal aid after his father was killed in a traffic accident caused by a negligent driver who had no attachable assets to provide compensation.

During the handling of the case, the local court found that Zhang's family was in dire financial straits. His mother was elderly and in poor health, while his elder brother, who was divorced and raising two children, was also unwell and unable to perform heavy labor. To ease the family's hardship and enable Zhang to serve without distraction, the court expedited judicial assistance through an emergency channel and worked with other authorities to secure additional benefits for military families, addressing the Zhang family's immediate needs.

"Providing economic relief through judicial assistance to military personnel and their families is a concrete measure that upholds justice and supports service members and their relatives," the SPC said. It noted that expedited procedures and the full disbursement of relief funds effectively eased the family's difficulties, allowing them to feel the warmth of the judicial system and strengthening the soldier's resolve to serve with peace of mind.

The top court also encouraged judges nationwide to strengthen coordination with relevant departments to implement a multifaceted joint assistance mechanism, ensuring adequate support for the wellbeing of military families.

"By doing so, the judiciary aims to create a supportive environment that allows military personnel to focus on their duties without concerns over their families' welfare," it added.

Contact the writer at caoyin@chinadaily.com.cn