Legal procedure follows its own principles

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's release on bail conforms strictly with China's legal procedure - just as his detention did. The reason for his release on bail cannot be clearer - good attitude in confessing to his crimes, the chronic disease he suffers from and expressing his willingness to repay the taxes he evaded, as the police explained.

Yet, Western media made the same fuss on his release as they did on his detention more than two months ago.

Their simple assumption is that Ai was released because the Chinese government had given in to the pressure exerted by some political forces in the West. Some media went as far as to say that the West should apply even more pressure on the Chinese government on human rights.