Divorce cases and cases involving commercial secrets may be heard in private upon the application of the parties.
According to Article 183 of the Criminal Procedure Law, the people's court shall hear cases of first instance in public. However, cases involving state secrets or personal privacy shall not be heard in public; Cases involving commercial secrets may be heard in private upon the application of the parties.
For cases that are not heard in public, the reasons for not hearing in public shall be announced in court.