A matter of equality

Has the Tort Law adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress over the weekend established the principle of victims getting the same amount of payments in compensation regardless of their identity as rural or urban residents?

It is none other than an over-interpretation or over-simplified conclusion of the new clause in the law. It stipulates that deaths caused by the same infringement on their rights can be given the same payments in compensation. It further states that it only applies to victims of major traffic and mine accidents.

The stipulation in a judicial interpretation on compensation for death or injuries caused by infringement on rights adopted in 2004 specifies that such compensation should be based on the local urban residents' average disposable income in the previous year or that of rural residents, and such sum shall be paid over 20 years to the family of a victim.