I’m currently preparing for next week’s lectures on dispute resolution for PRC foreign invested enterprises, so this is good timing. Note the frankness of Wang’s language:

The enforcement of court orders of civil cases are challenged by corruption, government red tape and low efficiency, despite notable achievements, China’s top judge said here Wednesday.

“Some civil case enforcement officers can not discipline themselves to reject dinner invitations or briberies, and handle cases unfairly for nepotism or personal benefits,” said Wang Shengjun, president of the Supreme People’s Court.

“Some (enforcement officers) abuse their power for personal gains, or make power-for-money deals, involving tens of thousands of yuan and bringing bad social influence,” Wang said.

Wang pledged to step up measures in improving enforcement officers’ professional levels, work style and combating corruption.

Wang was talking to the National People’s Congress Standing Committee meeting. A little institutional self-cricitism is normal here, so his comments are not remarkable in that sense.

I’m sure a lot of cynics out there will take the opportunity to say that Wang is just paying lip service to reform, and that the real issue here is judicial independence.

I hear you. On the other hand, I appreciate when anyone in the government, and especially someone at the top level, speaks out against long-standing problems.

Moreover, the spotlight on enforcement is notable. Reform of laws and, to a lesser extent, judicial reform, have come a long way in this country. Enforcement is a lagging area whose problems have vitiated much of that other progress.