SOCIAL STABILITY AND THE LAW IN CHINA

WARNINGS PUT 'STABILITY' ABOVE THE LAW

Michael Standaert

Asia Times, April 13, 2011

HONG KONG - There is no "Jasmine" revolution in China, but the Chinese government might be creating the seeds for one through its elevation of social stability above the rule of law, some experts say.

Over the past two months, authorities have taken advantage of anonymous calls for revolution first posted on overseas Chinese websites to launch an intense crackdown that has led to harsh sentences, detentions, disappearances and general harassment of lawyers, activists and writers with liberal voices that the government fears could spark social instability.

On April 3, well-known artist and activist Ai Weiwei was detained at Beijing International Airport and has not been heard from since, according to his associates - leaving many analysts to speculate that his detention is a signal to those in Chinese society who may have felt "untouchable" during the recent crackdown, that they should not step out of line.

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