Execution van

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title: "Execution van" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["capital-punishment-in-china", "execution-equipment", "execution-methods"] description: "Chinese government vehicle used for executions" topic_path: "geography/china" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Execution_van" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary Chinese government vehicle used for executions ::

::callout[type=note] execution vans in China ::

An execution van is a vehicle in which prisoners are executed through lethal injection. The vehicle is equipped with an execution chamber with a bed that physically restrains prisoners while lethal injections are administered. Execution vans have been used in the People's Republic of China since 2003.

People's Republic of China

In China, lethal injections were legalized in 1997. Lethal injections are now the most prominent form of capital punishment in China and, in some provinces, are the only legal form of capital punishment.

Yunnan officials authorized the use of execution vans in March 2003 and the province deployed 18 vans in the same year. Zhao Shijie, president of the Yunnan Provincial High Court, said, "The use of lethal injection shows that China's death penalty system is becoming more civilized and humane". Amnesty International expressed concern that the use of execution vans could increase the use of executions. The Supreme People's Court encouraged provinces to adopt execution vans in December 2003.

Makers of execution vans claim that, while expensive to purchase, In 2006, former Chinese judge and current lawyer Qiu Xingsheng argues that "some places can't afford the cost of sending a person to Beijing—perhaps $250—plus $125 more for the drug." Because Beijing is the only place where the drug is manufactured, the vans have allowed localities to administer the death sentence where the crime took place. As of June 2006, 40 execution vans have been manufactured by three companies, including Jinguan, in Jiangsu and Shandong. Naveco has also manufactured execution vans, according to Amnesty International.

Executions are recorded, so law enforcement can ensure they are carried out legally.

Notable executions

On December 22, 2003, organized crime leader, Liu Yong, was executed in an execution van.

On March 17, 2006, billionaire Yuan Baojing was executed in a van for the arranged murder of a blackmailer.

References

References

1. (19 February 2009). "Killing Vans Make Process Easier For China's Authorities". [[The Irish Times]].
2. "China to swap bullets for lethal injections". Reuters.
3. link. (5 December 2010 , 10 October 2010, p. 98.)
4. (2004). "Undermining Global Security: the European Union's arms exports". [[Amnesty International]].
5. Fisher, Max. "Yes, China still harvests organs from executed prisoners". Washington Post.
6. (2003-12-23). "Mafia kingpin dies in execution van". [[Taipei Times]].
7. MacLeod, Calum. (2006-06-15). "China makes ultimate punishment mobile". [[USA Today]].

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