China will execute Zhang Xuping for killing corrupt party official

In China, the courts follow the wishes of the party and despite a 20,000-name petition for clemency Zhang Xuping may not see his 20th birthday on February 25. The chance that the judges will commute his penalty are almost negligible.

That does not mean that public opinion is not heeded. It is often heard and authorities do respond. But public opinion counted for little after Yang Jia, a young man in Shanghai, stabbed to death six police officers when he was taken for questioning. Sympathy poured in. Most assumed that the officers were not innocent. Mr Yang was executed.

Unfortunately for Zhang, few in China have heard of his case. Any suggestion that the party might do well to reconsider will almost certainly be rejected.

Reporting of the case was suppressed, local journalists said.

The signatures of a mere 20,000 farmers will not move the courts.

Source: The Times, January 24, 2010