Comparative law notes
China does not require witnesses to swear on oath. There is one known case where the witness was asked to "use [his] personality and conscience to ensure that [he] will faithfully fulfill the obligations of the law to testify, to ensure a true statement, without any concealment". In this case, the judge recommended the use of a witness affidavit and suggested that it be presented during the trial to awaken the witness's legal responsibility and moral conscience. However, this is a different concept from the formalised procedure in the West, which is believed to be based on one's religious beliefs or, at least, recognition of the solemnity and importance of telling the truth.