Chinese Law Prof Blog

"Where is Xu Zhiyong?" Evan Osnos in the New Yorker

Here's a fine short essay by the New Yorker's Evan Osnos on the detention (or disappearance, if you prefer, since the police haven't admitted they've got him) of Xu Zhiyong. It's the kind of event that normally calls out for an adjective like "shameful," but that might imply that previous detentions of people like him were not.

My friend Jeffrey Prescott of Yale's China Law Center is quoted in the essay as saying, "He is someone of rare idealism, judgment, commitment to law, selfless dedication, and fundamental decency. So that makes his detention very hard to understand." I disagree with Jeff. All those things make his detention that much easier to understand.

The Republic of China's legal team at the Tokyo War Crimes trials

Chinalaw list member Glenn Tiffert writes (I quote with his permission):

I finally carved out the time to watch 《丧钟为谁而鸣》(For Whom Does the Death Knell Toll), a very well-done PRC documentary on the Tokyo War Crimes trials, the impressive (Republican) Chinese legal team that took part and the background to some of the crimes charged.  It includes outstanding historical footage.  I highly recommend it.  For those interested, all seven parts are on Tudou.com, the first here: http://www.tudou.com/playlist/playindex.do?lid=5244495&iid=28299621&cid=21

"How to Avoid Getting Kidnapped in China"

Has it really come to the point where it's normal to have articles with headlines like this? Anyway, here's the article from Forbes.com with advice on the right and wrong way to handle business disputes in China and the value of legal remedies.

Job opening: Trade Compliance Officer, US Dep't of Commerce (Beijing)

Details are here. Don't delay if interested - the application deadline is July 31st.