Brill’s Encyclopedia of China

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Criminal Law
(3,463 words)

1. Historical Development

The development of Chinese law has been shaped by the conflict between two schools of thought. The school subsequently named after its main representative Confucius saw "virtuousness" (li) derived from eternal natural laws as the recipe for a harmonious coexistence of the people (Confucianism). The ruler was supposed to govern by setting an example with his own mor…

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Richter, Thomas and Jianhong, Fan, “Criminal Law”, in: Brill’s Encyclopedia of China, Managing Editor English Edition: Daniel Leese. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-0339_bec_COM_00134>
First published online: 2008
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004168633, 20121018



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