China's Communist Party chief Xi Jinping looks on during his meeting with U.N. General Assembly President Vuk Jeremic at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing (POOL, REUTERS / December 27, 2012)
China To Reform Controversial Forced Labor Camps -- Reuters
BEIJING (Reuters) - China will reform its controversial system of forced labor camps this year, state media reported on Monday, which would mark a first step toward legal reform promised by new Communist Party chief Xi Jinping.
China's "re-education through labor" system, in place since 1957, empowers police to sentence petty criminals to up to four years' confinement without going through the courts, a system that critics say undermines the rule of law and is used against political activists.
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My Comment: I was surprised when I heard about this development .... and I was not surprised when this announcement was quickly deleted. Is China changing .... yes. But before reforming the political system the legal system will need to change .... and this is where the debate is in China right now.