Government and Policy

China defends criticisms of its legal system

(chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2010-10-22 17:15

National Security A Universal Value

Although the legal measurements of criminal facts by each country is different from China, they all have worked out detailed regulations on crimes such as subversive agitation and public disturbance. That's because every country needs to safeguard its national security and reputation, and to fend off and punish those seeking to violate the interests of the state and the public, said Liu Guofu, a professor at Beijing Institute of Technology's Law School.

Professor Liu explained that each country's legal system is a unique one built upon its own values, its national conditions and judicial logic. Thus, it's possible that there are varied interpretations of certain nuanced terms, and different legal measurements on the intentionality and injury extent of even the same criminal act.

"But, an undeniable fact is that not a single country affords to go light on subversive activities," he said. "All nations are watchful on this, trying to control and punish those activities in a way that fits them, since national security is actually a universal value."

Thus, Professor Liu believes that Western countries' and organizations' criticism of China's legal system are completely groundless. He added that even though Western countries are inclined to impose their values on China, just as Internet user "wolf in heaven" has pointed out, China need not care much about that.

"The Western countries shouldn't and can't possibly judge the rationality of China's laws by using the international rules or rules of other countries. China need not follow slavishly or care about those restrictions. Nothing could override our sovereignty and constitution," Liu said.

The article was originally carried in Chinese by the Global Times, and translated into English by chinadaily.com.cn.