Carnegie Endowment for International Peace
U.S. legal experts and senior Chinese judges discuss the U.S., China, and the WTO.
This testimony examines "minor crimes" under Chinese law and how they are punished. It focuses on re-education through labor, a mechanism of punishing "minor crimes," by discussing its legal background, the legal and human rights problems it presents, the current debate in China about its future, and the reasons for recommending its abolition.
The clash between liberals and conservatives in China is not unique. Reform in socialist-totalitarian states involves liberal factions, which in turn trigger a conservative backlash. Consequently, liberal-conservative conflict is necessarily a feature of reform in socialist regimes.
If Mr Tung learns from Mr Carter's successes and failures during his second term, he will likely become an effective and respected leader. He should formulate a clear vision, establish a structure of delegation, appoint talented people as advisers, and safeguard human rights and the rule of law.
It is clear that the role of the Chinese media has changed dramatically from the days when it functioned strictly as an ideological Party mouthpiece and government cheerleader. At the same time, its evolutionary trajectory remains unclear.