Gunshot executions are being replaced with "more humane" lethal injections in Beijing.
Five thousand condemned prisoners are expected to be put to death by an armed officer in China this year - but no longer in the capital city.
Hu Yunteng, research director of the People's Supreme Court, said injections are considered safer.
"Lethal injection is considered more humane as it reduces criminals' fear and pain compared with a gunshot execution," he said.
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The Beijing Municipal People's Court is training police and medical staff how to administer the lethal doses.
Many of the executions will take place in purpose-built execution vans. The prisoner is strapped to a stretcher and put to death by injection. The sentence is carried out in private.
