BEIJING -- Chinese courts on Saturday pledged to hand down harsh punishments on terrorism and secessionist activities in addition to cracking down on graft.

According to a statement released after a national meeting that brought together chief justices of higher courts across the country, courts will hand out "harsh" punishments for criminal offenses that threaten China's national political and economic security as well as social stability.

They shall also play an active role in the fight against terrorism in accordance with the newly adopted counter-terrorism law, the statement said.

Violent crimes - such as murder and kidnapping - and crimes that severely infringe on women and children's rights should be cracked down in order to improve people's sense of security, along with illegal obtaining and disclosure of private information and corporate commercial secrets, it said.

Meanwhile, the statement also pledged an iron hand in corruption cases, and vowed harsher punishments for bribers in a bid to "deter crooked officials," it said.

Courts will improve its trial procedure for corrupt officials on the run and actively take part in operations to retrieve overseas fugitives and their illegal gains.

It called on courts to protect suspects and criminals' human rights and urged caution in handing out death penalties.