Nov 22, 2024 05:29 PM
OPINION
Commentary: Law Enforcement Shakedowns Highlight Need for Stronger Protection of Businesses’ Rights
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In May 2023, two law enforcement officers from an undisclosed province traveled to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces to extort business owners under the pretext of official investigations. Photo: VCG
Zhejiang’s provincial procuratorate on Wednesday held a press conference announcing that their “enterprise protection” campaign against local enforcement overreach had helped 123 companies unfreeze over 70 million yuan ($9.7 million) in accounts, release six properties and recover 20 vehicles from questionable law enforcement actions. But one case stands out as particularly troubling.
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- Zhejiang's campaign helped 123 companies recover over $9.7 million and properties from questionable law enforcement, highlighting local enforcement overreach.
- Concerns arose after two officers from another province extorted business owners, prompting lenient punishment and broader regulatory calls.
- Beijing's efforts to regulate enforcement include Politburo and economic commission measures, but local hesitance and light penalties remain problematic.
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What Happened When
- May 2023：
- Two law enforcement officers traveled to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces to extort business owners under the guise of investigating cases.
- June 11, 2023：
- The officers abducted entrepreneur Shen from his home in Wujiang, Jiangsu, and he escaped by jumping from their moving vehicle in Deqing county, Zhejiang.
- September 2023：
- The Politburo meeting called for stricter regulation of business-related law enforcement.
- October 2023：
- The National Development and Reform Commission followed with specific measures against illegal cross-provincial law enforcement and profit-driven law enforcement action.
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