Chinese lawmakers have voted to abolish the country's notorious re-education through labour facilities.

The camps, which first began in the 1950s, gained a bad reputation over the years because of alleged human rights abuses.

Detainees could be held there without trial for up to four years.

Re-education through labour was initially set up to punish critics of the Communist Party during Mao Zedong's time.

The camps have finally been abolished more than five decades later.

Legislative official Lei Jianbin says the labour camp system, known in Mandarin as laojiao, has become less applicable over the past few years.

"The applicable period is also shortening," Mr Lei said.

"In fact, in March this year, many areas in China had stopped using laojiao."

Chinese leaders had signalled their intention to get rid of the system earlier this year.

Former detainee Li Xuehui was sent to a camp in 2010 for 12 months for "causing trouble".

The former petitioner had previously been detained for throwing so-called 'ghost money' - sheets of paper used for ancestral worship - in Tiananmen Square

"Someone would take note of my activity every 30 minutes even if I was sleeping," Mr Li said.

"I sat on a stool all day, either writing a report or something expressing my remorse."

Chinese state media say all those currently serving time will be set free and will not be forced to serve out their remaining terms.

Human rights activists and lawyers have expressed concern about the community-based correctional system that will replace re-education through labour.