Verdict on sex with minors sets precedent

TWO PEOPLE in Qionglai, Sichuan province, who were accused of prostituting girls under the age of 14 two years ago, have been sentenced to five years in prison for rape of a minor. This is the first time that prostituting underage girls has been ruled as rape. Comments:

The local court's verdict of rape deserves people's full respect, because the crime of prostituting underage girls is far from being convincing in explaining itself. Those minors who are identified as too young to express their true will may end up descending into prostitution under such a stigma, as the charge shows no due respect for them.

Hong Daode, a law professor from China University of Political Science and Law, Mar 3