1 An'na, Du, “Cong Deng Yujiao shijian kan meiti dui minyi de biaoda” (“What the Deng Yujiao incident tells us about media representation of public opinion”), Nanfang baoye wang (Nanfang Group Web), 26 August 2009Google Scholar, available from http://nf.nfdaily.cn/nanfangdaily/cmyj/200908260226.asp.

2 “Deng Yujiao an panjueshu quanwen” (“Full text of judgment in Deng Yujiao's case”), Dongfang fayan (Oriental Legal Observation), 14 July 2009Google Scholar, available from http://www.dffy.com/sifashijian/ws/200907/20090714071308.htm.

3 Muhua, Ou, “Shi ‘meiti shenpan’ jiule Deng Yujiao ma” (“Did ‘trial by media’ save Deng Yujiao”), Xiangjiang pinglun (Xiangjiang Comment), 17 June 2009Google Scholar, available from http://xjpl.csonline.com.cn/6/200906/t20090618_964227.htm.

4 Lieberthal, Kenneth G., “Introduction: the ‘fragmented authoritarianism’ model and its limitations,” in Lieberthal, Kenneth G. and Lampton, David M. (eds.), Bureaucracy, Politics, and Decision Making in Post-Mao China (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1987)Google Scholar; Lieberthal, Kenneth and Oksenberg, Michel, Policy Making in China: Leaders, Structures, and Processes (Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1988)Google Scholar.

5 Naughton, Barry J. and Yang, Dali L., Holding China Together: Diversity and National Integration in the Post-Deng Era (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2004) pp. 6–7CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

6 Ibid.; Edin, Maria, “State capacity and local agent control in China: CCP cadre management from a township perspective,” The China Quarterly, No. 173 (2003), pp. 50–51CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

7 Landry, Pierre, Decentralized Authoritarianism in China: The Communist Party's Control of Local Elites in the Post-Mao Era (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2008)CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

8 Heilmann, Sebastian and Perry, Elizabeth, “Embracing uncertainty: ‘guerrilla’ policy style and adaptive governance in China,” in Heilmann, Sebastian and Perry, Elizabeth (eds.), Mao's Invisible Hand (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Asia Center, 2011)Google Scholar.

9 Nathan, Andrew J., “Authoritarian resilience,” Journal of Democracy, Vol. 14, No. 1 (2003), pp. 6–17CrossRefGoogle Scholar. This is a non-exhaustive list.

10 Tsai, Lily, Accountability without Democracy: Solidary Groups and Public Goods Provision in Rural China (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2007)CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

11 Tsai, Kellee, Capitalism without Democracy: The Private Sector in Contemporary China (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 2007), pp. 6–7, 15Google Scholar.

12 Tsai, Accountability without Democracy, p. 4.

13 Liebman, Benjamin L., “Watchdog or demagogue? The media in the Chinese legal system,” Columbia Law Review, Vol. 105, No. 1 (2005), pp. 1–157Google Scholar.

14 Ibid.

15 Lin, Xia, “Dui wuyiling an zhong shexian qiangjian fanzui de xianyiren Huang Dezhi tichu konggao” (“Accusation against Huang Dezhi, suspected of rape in the May 10 case”), Souhu boke (Sohu Blog), 25 May 2009Google Scholar, available from http://xialinblog.blog.sohu.com/117156484.html.

16 “Wangyou tufu tanwang zai yiyuan zhong de Deng Yujiao” (“An internet user visits Deng Yujiao in the hospital”), Chengchi shequ (Urban Community), 20 May 2009Google Scholar, available from http://club.1zcc.com/thread-27806-1-1.html.

17 “Hangzhou fujiazi ba malu dang F1 saidao wugu luren bei zhuangqi wu mi gao” (“Rich kid in Hangzhou treats public road as F1 race track, impact sent innocent pedestrian flying five metres from the ground”), Tianya shequ (Tianya Community), 8 May 2009, available from http://www.tianya.cn/publicforum/content/funinfo/1/1455619.shtml.

18 See e.g. “Hangzhou biaoche zhuangsiren an – zuixin xiaoxi” (“Hangzhou drag racing vehicular death case – latest news”), Sina.com, available from http://roll.news.sina.com.cn/s_fjzbc_all/1/index.shtml.

19 Limin, Bao, “Shui gai wei xianfa xuejia ‘piaoqie’ fuze? – guanyu Wuda xueshu weiyuanhui fuzhuren Zhou Yezhong jiaoshou deng shexian piaoqie de jizhe diaocha” (“Who should be held responsible for plagiarism by constitutional scholars? – Journalist's investigation regarding the suspected plagiarism of scholars including Professor Zhou Yezhong, vice-chair of the Academic Committee of Wuhan University”), Zhongguo qingnian bao (China Youth Daily), 30 November 2005Google Scholar, available from http://www.acriticism.com/article.asp?Newsid=7180&type=1003.

20 He Weifang, “Zhou Yezhong jiaoshou shijian ji qita (xiuding gao)” (“The incident of Professor Zhou Yezhong and others (revised)”), Beida falü wang (Peking University Legal Website), (n.d.), available from http://article.chinalawinfo.com/article/user/article_display.asp?ArticleID=32016.

21 Yanguang, He, “Guanyu Zhou Yezhong xueshu piaoqie – gongzheng youyici chengwei ruozhe” (“Zhou Yezhou academic plagiarism – justice is again the weak party”), Guantian chashe (Guantian Tea House), 28 December 2005Google Scholar, available from http://www.acriticism.com/article.asp?Newsid=7359&type=1001.

22 The complaint in the case was also posted online, see Huang, Tang, “Wuhan daxue faxueyuan jiaoshou Zhou Yezhong yin shexian piaoqie bei qisu” (“Zhou Yezhong, a law professor of Wuhan University, was sued for plagiarism”), Zhongguo lüshizhi (China Lawyer's Blog), 16 March 2006Google Scholar, available from http://chineselawyers.bokee.com/4674870.html.

23 Hua, Hu, “Zhongxuanbu juexin chongdang chaoxizhe de baohusan” (“The Central Propaganda Department decides to be a protection umbrella for people committing plagiarism”), Zhongguo xinxi zhongxin wang (China Information Centre Website), 21 March 2006Google Scholar, available from http://www.observechina.net/info/artshow.asp?ID=38428.

24 Hong, Zhang, “Wuda bodao shexian chaoxi yuan Beida jiaoshi lunwen beisu” (“Doctoral tutor of Wuhan University was sued for plagiarism of a thesis of a previous lecturer of Peking University”), Xin jing bao (The Beijing News), 20 March 2006Google Scholar, available at http://edu.cyol.com/content/2006-03/20/content_1338674.htm.

25 “Wang Tiancheng zhengshi qisu Wuda jiaoshou Zhou Yezhong” (“Wang Tiancheng formally brings lawsuit against Zhou Yezhong, a law professor of Wuhan University”), Dongfang zaobao wang (Oriental Morning Post Web), 17 March 2006Google Scholar, available at http://art.people.com.cn/GB/14759/21864/4210076.html.

26 “Guanyu cuowu kanfa ‘Wang Tiancheng qisu Wuda bodao Zhou Yezhong’ yiwen de chuli jueding” (“Decision concerning the incorrect publication of the article ‘Wang Tiancheng sued Zhou Yezhong, a doctoral tutor of Wuhan University’”), Xin jing baoshe shewu guanli weiyuanhui (The Beijing News Press Affairs Administration Committee), 21 March 2006Google Scholar, available at http://post.baidu.com/f?kz=89749717, also available at http://www.acriticism.com/article.asp?Newsid=7866&type=1006.

27 He Yanguang, “Zhou Yezhou academic plagiarism.”

28 See e.g. http://hi.baidu.com/%B7%E7%C8%E7%D9%E2/blog/item/24814a4356daa51a73f05dd4.html.

29 “Wang Tiancheng su Zhou Yezhong piaoqie an de zhongshen panjueshu” (“Final judgment in the plagiarism case of Wang Tiancheng versus Zhou Yezhong”), Falü boke (Law Blog), 24 December 2006Google Scholar, available from http://tyygh.fyfz.cn/blog/tyygh/index.aspx?blogid=149272.

30 “Zhou Yezhong shexian piaoqie zhongshen yuangao baisu (zhuan zai)” (“The plaintiff loses in the lawsuit against Zhou Yezhong for plagiarism (reprinted)”), Tianya shequ (Tianya Community), 23 December 2006Google Scholar, available at http://cache.tianya.cn/publicforum/Content/No01/1/292073.shtml.

31 Jun, Lu, “Zhongguo yigan fanqishi de huigu yu zhanwang” (“The past and future of efforts against HBV discrimination in China”), Tianxia jiangtan (World Forum), 21 October 2007Google Scholar, available from http://www.brooks.ngo.cn/txjt/jthg/mj_071021.php. Many of the developments in HBV litigation have been chronicled by China Labour Bulletin, which has been involved in a number of the cases. “China's first successfully litigated Hepatitis B employment discrimination case,” China Labour Bulletin, 19 August 2009Google Scholar, available from http://www.clb.org.hk/en/node/100542.

32 Employment Promotion Law, art. 30.

33 “Beijing shouli yigan qishi shengsu an chen'ai luoding – wenti yiran burong leguan” (“Dust settles after the first successful HBV discrimination lawsuit in Beijing – it remains difficult to be optimistic regarding the issue”), Xinhua wang (Xinhua Net), 2 July 2008Google Scholar, available from http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2008-07/02/content_8476530.htm.

34 “Weishengbu zheng zhiding quxiao tijian yigan liangduiban jiance zhidao yijian” (“Ministry of Health is formulating guideline on ending physical examinations for HBV”), Souhu xinwen (Sohu News), 10 October 2009Google Scholar, available from http://news.sohu.com/20091010/n267253313.shtml.

35 Liebman, Benjamin L. and Wu, Tim, “China's network justice,” Chicago Journal of International Law, No. 8 (2007), pp. 257–321Google Scholar.

36 Liebman, “Watchdog or demagogue?”

37 Ibid.

38 Ibid. p. 111.

39 Ibid. p. 132.

40 The court stated that it had reduced the sentence in light of the facts and circumstances of the case, and noted that torture could not be ruled out. The Provincial High Court Opinion is not publicly available, but the decision is summarized in the SPC's opinion. Zuigao renmin fayuan, , “Zuigao renmin fayuan zaishen Liu Yong an xingshi panjue shu (quanwen)” (“Supreme People's Court decision on the second appeal of Liu Yong criminal case (full text)”), Zhongguo fayuan wang (China Court Web), 24 December 2003Google Scholar, available at http://www.chinacourt.org/public/detail.php?id=96393.

41 Shuming, Li, “Dui Shenyang heibang toumu Liu Yong gaipan sihuan de zhiyi” (“Doubts regarding the decision to change the sentence of gangster Liu Yong to a suspended death sentence”), Waitan huabao (Bund Pictorial), 21 August 2003Google Scholar, available at http://news.sina.com.cn/c/2003-08-21/01351583471.shtml. A suspended death sentence is in practice generally equivalent to a sentence of life in prison.

42 Liebman, “Watchdog or demagogue?”

43 Liebman, Benjamin L., “Innovation through intimidation? An empirical account of defamation litigation in China,” Harvard International Law Journal, Vol. 47, No. 1 (2006), p. 33Google Scholar.

44 Yongxiu, Xue, “Xiao Yang: fayuan yao zhudong xiang shehui fabu zhongda anjian xinxi” (“Xiao Yang: courts must voluntarily release information about important cases”), Zhongguo fayuan wang (China Court Website), 15 January 2006Google Scholar, available at http://www.chinacourt.org/public/detail.php?id=191279.

45 Weihan, Yang, “Wang Shengjun: quanmian jiaqiang xingshi da'an yao'an shenpan gongzuo” (“Speech by Wang Shengjun: strengthening trial work in major criminal cases at all levels”), Xinhua wang (Xinhua Net), 30 August 2009Google Scholar, available from http://news.xinhuanet.com/legal/2009-08/30/content_11966723.htm.

46 “Zuigao fayuan yaoqiu geji fayuan jishi yingdui fumian yulun chaozuo” (“The Supreme People's Court asks courts of all levels to respond promptly to media stirring-up of negative public opinion”), Xinhua wang (Xinhua Net), 12 May 2009Google Scholar, available from http://news.xinhuanet.com/lianzheng/2009-05/12/content_11356258.htm.

47 “Zuigao renmin fayuan yinfa ‘Guanyu sifa gongkai de liuxiang guiding’ he ‘Guanyu renmin fayuan jieshou xinwen meiti yulun jiandu de ruogan guiding’ de tongzhi” (“Notice of the Supreme People's Court on issuing the six provisions on judicial openness and several provisions on the people's courts' exposure to public supervision through mass media”), Falü tushuguan (Law Library), 8 December 2009, available from http://www.law-lib.com/law/law_view.asp?id=305059Google Scholar.

48 “Zuigao renmin fayuan guanyu yange zhixing gongkai shenpan zhidu de ruogan guiding” (“Certain rules of the Supreme People's Court on strictly implementing an open trial system”), Falü jiaoyu wang (Legal Education Web), available from http://www.chinalawedu.com/news/2003_10%5C5%5C2142225821.htm.

49 For an example, see Huipeng, Zhang, “Guangdong shengwei xuanchuanbu he Guangdongsheng gaoji fayuan lianhe fawen: guifan caifang baodao shenpan huodong” (“Joint announcement of Guangdong Province Party Propaganda Department and Guangdong Provincial High People's Court: regulating interviews and reporting on trial activities”), Renmin fayuan bao (People's Court News), 4 July 2003Google Scholar, available at http://rmfyb.chinacourt.org/public/detail.php?id=58716.

50 Yu, Tian, “Zuigao fayuan: weijing pizhun faguan buying shanzi jieshou jizhe caifang” (“The Supreme Court: judges should not accept interviews with reporters without approval”), Renmin wang (People's Daily Online), 13 September 2006Google Scholar, available from http://media.people.com.cn/GB/40606/4809936.html.

51 “(Meijie piping) fayuan sheli xinwen fayanren, meiti baodao you jinqu?” (“(Media criticism) courts established press spokespeople system, do forbidden areas exist for media reports?”), Renmin wang (People's Daily Online), 24 September 2006Google Scholar, available at http://media.people.com.cn/GB/40698/4851777.html.

52 The 2004 figure reflected a decline of 7.17% from 2003. Zhongguo falü nianjian bianweihui, , 2005 Zhongguo falü nianjian (2005 Law Yearbook of China) (Beijing: Zhongguo falü nianjian chubanshe, 2005), p. 152Google Scholar. But the figure was significantly higher than the 3,543 cases brought in 1994.

53 Liebman, “Innovation through intimidation?”

54 Ibid.

55 Liebman, Benjamin L., “Scandal, sukyandaru and chouwen,” Michigan Law Review, No. 106 (2008)Google Scholar.

56 “Xinwen qinhai mingyuquan yinsiquan xin de sifa jieshi jianyi gao (tiaowen bufen)” (“Media infringements against the rights of reputation and privacy: proposed new judicial interpretation (provisions)”), Xinwen jizhe (News Reporter), No.1 (2008)Google Scholar, available from http://qkzz.net/magazine/1006-3277/2008/01/2263373.htm.

57 See e.g. Manion, Melanie, Corruption by Design: Building Clean Government in Mainland China and Hong Kong (Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2004)Google Scholar; Huang, Yasheng, “Research note: administrative monitoring in China,” The China Quarterly, No 143 (1995), pp. 828–43CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

58 Shambaugh, David, China's Communist Party: Atrophy and Adaptation (Berkeley: University of California Press, 2008), p. 3Google Scholar; Nathan, “Authoritarian resilience.”

59 For further discussion of the importance of flexibility as a policy tool, see Heilmann and Perry, “Embracing uncertainty.”

60 Tsai, Capitalism without Democracy, p. 35; Thelen, Kathleen, How Institutions Evolve: The Political Economy of Skills in Germany, Britain, the United States, and Japan (New York: Cambridge University Press 2004)CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

61 Similar observations have long been made with regard to numerous policy domains. For example, see Lampton, David M. (ed.), Policy Implementation in the People's Republic of China (Berkeley: University of California Press 1987), p. 9Google Scholar.

62 Tsai, Accountability without Democracy.

63 Perry, Elizabeth, “Studying Chinese politics: farewell to revolution?” The China Journal, No. 57 (2007), p. 14CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

64 O'Brien, Kevin J. and Li, Lianjiang, Rightful Resistance in Rural China (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2006)CrossRefGoogle Scholar.

65 Liebman, “A return to populist legality?”

66 Perry, “Studying Chinese politics;” Nathan, “Authoritarian resilience.”

67 Diamond, Larry, Plattner, Mark F. and Schedler, Andreas, “Introduction” in Schedler, Andreas, Diamond, Larry and Plattner, Marc F. (eds.), The Self-restraining State: Power and Accountability in New Democracies (Boulder, CO: Lynne Rienner Publishers 1999), p. 3Google Scholar.

68 Guillermo O'Donnell, “Horizontal accountability in new democracies,” in Schedler, Diamond and Plattner, The Self-restraining State, pp. 38, 39.

69 Richard L. Sklar, “Democracy and constitutionalism,” in Schedler, Diamond and Plattner, The Self-restraining State, p. 53.

70 O'Donnell, “Horizontal accountability in new democracies,” p. 38.

71 Philippe C. Schmitter, “The limits of horizontal accountability” in Schedler, Diamond and Plattner, The Self-restraining State, p. 61.

72 Andreas Schedler, “Conceptualizing accountability” in Schedler, Diamond and Plattner, The Self-restraining State, p. 19.

73 Ibid. p. 20.