Chinese Blogger Chosen As Head of Investigation

Lew Perin writes "China hasn't developed much of a reputation for government transparency. And in Yunnan province, the case of a guy who died in police custody was starting to look like a cover up. But then the provincial government startled everyone by choosing a prominent local blogger to head the official investigation into the death. 'The unorthodox move to make popular bloggers heads of an investigation committee is a tacit admission by the Yunnan government of the power of the internet — especially blogs — in shaping Chinese public opinion. It also belies the widespread suspicion of the official version of Li's death.'"

Comments

Re:Skids greased?

[Anonymous Coward]

I'm interested enough in China to have learned Mandarin and visited several times.

My impression is that central govt is genuinely trying to implement reforms, particularly in the legal system. I don't think they are interested in human rights but they understand the importance of uncorrupt institutions to prosperity.

However, these reforms are usually stymied by the local corruption they are trying to root out. China is a big place.

This effort with the blogger may well be genuine. It may well come to nothing.

My 2 cents.