Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

China’s tantrums and a justice system in question

By Arthur Thomas - posted Wednesday, 19 August 2009


Politicisation of the CISA however is destroying the steel mills’ confidence in the consortium. It is also likely to result in the “removal” of many experienced Chinese steel executives. The outcome will be detrimental to China’s steel industry and increase friction between steel mills, the CISA and Beijing.

This Rio Tinto arrest charade and “dummy spit” by Beijing is backfiring and undermining the Chinese government’s credibility in the global marketplace.

Steel is the pillar industry for China’s economy, and as head of the CCP’s nine-member standing committee, Hu Jintao wants a greater say in the economic decision making process that is currently the jurisdiction of the State Council, led by Wen Jiabao.

Advertisement

The entire Rio farce has all the appearances of a power play in which Hu Jintao is preparing the stage to lay the blame for any worsening economic downturn on the state of China’s steel industry on Rio. Rio would then be in the frame for any steel industry setback and flow on effect, exonerating the CCP from blame.

China’s judicial process is not about justice

Wang Shengjun, president of China’s Supreme People’s Court, concisely summed up the purpose of China’s justice system in his article in the CCP journal, “Seeking Truth” in which he exhorted the judiciary to:

  • “... pay more attention to maintaining state security and social stability.”
  • “... boost consciousness of safeguarding the power of the regime.”
  • “... fully develop our functions as a department for proletarian dictatorship.”

Wang Shengjun clearly confirmed that the justice system’s primary objective is to maintain state security and social stability by safeguarding the power and legitimacy of a proletarian dictatorship.

The implication of that philosophy gives a greater understanding for the use of excessive force by the police and military in brutal suppression of those demonstrating against environmental impact on public health, disenfranchisement, and official corruption.

Wang Shengjun’s philosophy also gives added support for increasing claims of disenfranchisement, brutality, imprisonment and death sentences experienced by Tibetans and Uyghurs, especially in recent times.

Advertisement

It is the manner in which the judiciary applies its immense power, however, that gives added support to criticism and claims of blatant political bias in China’s legal system. This is particularly apparent when it comes to their dealing with claims involving state secrets, official corruption, environmental degradation, unemployment, ethnicity, and related demonstrations.

In 2008, China’s senior judiciary vowed to implement the bidding of the CCP and “use the judicial apparatus against the party's foes” in dealing with demonstrations before and during the Olympics, including those in Tibet and Xinjiang. China’s judiciary has played a critical role in "expediting the conviction of counterrevolutionaries" in CCP political purges throughout recent decades.

Understanding the legal system

In China, the CCP is the law and that leaves the obvious question of the veracity of evidence given by executives of state-owned enterprises.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. 3
  5. 4
  6. All


Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Arthur Thomas is retired. He has extensive experience in the old Soviet, the new Russia, China, Central Asia and South East Asia.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Arthur Thomas

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Article Tools
Comment Comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy