BEIJING - The country's courts are expected to face an increasing number of cases involving social conflict next year, the country's top court official said on Monday.

Wang Shengjun, president of the Supreme People's Court (SPC), said courts will face more challenges next year in safeguarding people's rights and balancing the interests of different groups, as social welfare conflicts become more common and severe.

Wang urged judges from provincial courts to fully understand the impact of "domestic conflicts, especially rising conflicts in the social welfare sector" and to make improving people's livelihoods their top priority next year.