China's Legal System
New Developments, New Challenges

Examines the legal ramifications of economic and social changes in China, mid 1990s to present.

Donald C. Clarke (Edited by)

9780521719292, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 6 March 2008

208 pages
24 x 15.4 x 1 cm, 0.334 kg

'… a very useful overview of developments in selected areas of Chinese law … insightful commentaries … a readable and highly useful collection canvassing many of the difficult and controversial issues facing China's legal system today.' The China Journal

China has seen immense economic and social changes since the mid-1990s. Companies are raising huge amounts of money in domestic and overseas stock offerings; China has joined the World Trade Organization; citizens have unprecedented freedom in their private lives; courts are under increasing pressure to handle politically sensitive cases; and the government struggles to maintain order and authority in an increasingly fractious society. This special issue of the China Quarterly assembles both Western and Chinese scholars to examine the legal dimensions of these changes, showing both how far the legal system has come and the challenges that lie ahead.

Editor's introduction: the Chinese legal system since 1995. Steady development and striking continuities Donald C. Clarke
1. Legislating for a market economy in China Donald C. Clarke, Commentary by Zhang Xianchu
2. New hope for corporate governance in China? James V. Feinerman, Commentary by Tang Xin
3. China's courts: restricted reform Benjamin L. Liebman, Commentary by Shen Kui
4. Principals and secret agents: Central vs. local control over policing and obstacles to 'Rule of Law' in China Murray Scot Tanner and Eric Green, Commentary by He Weifang
5. Transforming family law in Post-Deng China: marriage, divorce and reproduction Michael Palmer, Commentary by Fu Hauling
6. China and the international legal system: challenges of participation Pitman B. Potter, Commentary by James Li Zhaojie
7. Trade, investment and beyond: the impact of WTO accession on the Chinese legal system Julia Ya Qin, Commentary by Huang Dongli.

Subject Areas: Laws of Specific jurisdictions [LN], Asian history [HBJF], History [HB]