China’s future success depends on rule of law, says Locke
“China has a bright future, but this success depends on the implementation of rule of law,” Locke stressed in Beijing on Monday.
China’s future success will depend on the fair application of its laws, says United States ambassador to China Gary Locke.
Locke made the remarks while opening the Philip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition at the Renmin University of China. The student debating competition was a simulation of a dispute between countries before the international court of justice.
Locke said that for any modern government to rule effectively, it has to do so in accordance with the rule of law. It also has to continuously update its laws – as society changes.
In his speech, Locke discussed the development of laws and legal ideas in the United States. But he noted that China had a much longer history of this than America.
Citing an old Chinese proverb: “A prince who commits a crime will endure the same penalty as a plebeian,” Locke credited China for introducing the idea of “equality before the law” more than 2,000 years ago.
