China executed at least 726 people last year, out of 1,146 reported put to death worldwide, the London-based human rights group said in its 2003 report on use of the death penalty.

"The People's Republic of China continues to carry out more judicial executions than the rest of the world combined," said the report, issued April 6.

Citing "limited and incomplete records," Amnesty said the true number of executions in China is "believed to be much higher" than reported.

China executes convicts for crimes ranging from murder and rape to non-violent offenses such as taking bribes or evading taxes.

Methods of execution are either a single gunshot to the back of the head or lethal injection.

The Japan Times Weekly: April 17, 2004
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