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Q: China's penal codes are a joke
True Story. Actually happened last afternoon. Me and another person were talking and sitting in a cafe shop in Guangzhou. A stranger sitting behind my friend all of a sudden tells me to shut up because he thought i was speaking too loudly. His tone was both rude and disrespectful. Maybe i was or wasn't, words were exchanged, he threw the first punch and both of our fists were flying. We were both taken to the local police station. I am not angry nor vindictive toward the aggressor, but obviously he was in the wrong and he has to suffer the consequences of assaulting me. I really hope that he will serve several days in prison for his aggressive behavior.
Fights happen, sometimes frustration builds up, i understand that but what i am really dissatisfied is with the laws in China. According to the police, because i fought back and bruised the attacker, even though; he initiated the assault, i was also wrong too! So unless i accept through negotiation a small remorse payment, both parties will go to jail for a few day!
If a terrorist cut me with a knife, and somehow i wrestle it away for him, and use it again him, i am also considered terrorist too in china according to the law. This is sicken.
There was a case a couple of years ago up in Nanjing, where 3-4 guys literally broke into a house, with weapons and starting assaulting the guy who lived there and his Chinese wife (she, apparently, had had some sort of 'nasty' business association with these guys).
The foreign husband defended himself, his family, and his property, and ended up stabbing one of the guys, and possibly injuring the others (I don't recall all the facts right now).
Anyway - the intruders left (ie, ran away). The police were called...
And the foreign guy gets arrested!!!
AND goes to trial...
AND without the proof of the injury ever occurring (cos the guys ran away!), the foreign guy gets a year in jail and then deported!
This is the Chinese justice system at work!
This is why mainlanders don't take responsibility - cos the law says they don't have to... and the law says they don't need to suffer any consequences of their actions (ie, being a dick!) There's always someone else to blame!!!
Lord_hanson:
I remember that, he was an Australian guy. Apparently the criminals who broke in went to the police to show their wounds. They were then allowed to leave by the police. This is how they had evidence against the Australian guy.
Shining_brow:
Oh.. I did not hear that the criminals went to the police first... explains a lot! (well, no, it doesn't really....! "Officers, I broke into someone's house and tried to beat them up with my knives and baseball bats - but that evil guy cut me. Arrest him!!!")
Yes, according to Chinese law you are to stand there like an idiot and get the shit kicked out of you. Apparently only violent criminals defend themselves.
Woah... So all this while laowai's thrashing the Chinese for their cowardliness, but in fact they were all being a good law abiding citizens... that's one way to look at it, right?
This is the law code of a slave mentality, which means, I know people so I can hurt people, you don't know anybody, so shut up and take it.
There was a case a couple of years ago up in Nanjing, where 3-4 guys literally broke into a house, with weapons and starting assaulting the guy who lived there and his Chinese wife (she, apparently, had had some sort of 'nasty' business association with these guys).
The foreign husband defended himself, his family, and his property, and ended up stabbing one of the guys, and possibly injuring the others (I don't recall all the facts right now).
Anyway - the intruders left (ie, ran away). The police were called...
And the foreign guy gets arrested!!!
AND goes to trial...
AND without the proof of the injury ever occurring (cos the guys ran away!), the foreign guy gets a year in jail and then deported!
This is the Chinese justice system at work!
This is why mainlanders don't take responsibility - cos the law says they don't have to... and the law says they don't need to suffer any consequences of their actions (ie, being a dick!) There's always someone else to blame!!!
Lord_hanson:
I remember that, he was an Australian guy. Apparently the criminals who broke in went to the police to show their wounds. They were then allowed to leave by the police. This is how they had evidence against the Australian guy.
Shining_brow:
Oh.. I did not hear that the criminals went to the police first... explains a lot! (well, no, it doesn't really....! "Officers, I broke into someone's house and tried to beat them up with my knives and baseball bats - but that evil guy cut me. Arrest him!!!")
True story.
A mate and I were walking along the street when 4 guys tried to rob us. Being half pissed Aussies, we gave them a hiding when one guy tried to stab my mate.
About a dozen police came and handcuffed everyone and took us to the police station where it was found they all had knives.
The would be thieves were allowed to leave to get medical attention. We remained handcuffed until morning when the wannabes returned.
We were given the choice of paying each of them 7,000 rambos in compensation or going to prison to await the court date, when we would be found guilty and deported.
Of course we paid. Our embassy didn't want to know about it. We left the police station to the laughter of the theives. Justice was served.
Lord_hanson:
It is madness. Let yourself get robbed or the law will force you to be robbed. I am amazed the law didn't demand you pull down your pants bend over and let them fuck you. Oh wait, they did.
iWolf:
I bumped into one of the police a short time later. He told me that if there is any trouble involving a foreigner, the foreigner is totally at fault regardless of the circumstances. Lesson learned. I kmow a guy who stopped a guy wailing on a girl in the street. Guess what happened. Correct. The foreigner had to pay a few thousand rmb to the Chinese guy for loss of face. The girl backed up the Chinese guy who probably too her shopping with the loot.
it seems we dont have a leg to stand on with what ever we do,If anyone tries to harm my family I wont just stand there and watch.
After reading these stories (one I already know about) and hearing countless others... you have all solidified my resolve in that leaving China was a great choice.
To be honest, I can't believe some you guys are still in China after being treated like that... if you want to defend yourself... just beat the guy quickly and run.
No need to showboat, no need to make a holler and run to the police. Just KO the wimps and take off.
I agree with Robk, avoid the police at all costs. Beat those guys down and run.
Two American friends were in a restaurant and some obnoxious Chinese guys just decided to join them, and 'make friends'. They didn't want anything to do with the Chinese guys but they didn't want trouble either so just tried to be polite and hoped they would leave after a few minutes.
They didn't leave of course, they just got drunk and abusive and one of the Chinese started trying to punch one of my friends. To his credit, he took or blocked about 3 or 4 girly punches without retaliating and still tried to walk away. My friends paid, left and were outside looking for a taxi when the drunks followed them outside. My friend got punched a few more times then finally decked the guy.
They decided to do the 'right thing' - after all they had done nothing wrong - and called the police. That was a mistake.
At first the cops were saying they were ok and had done everything they reasonably could, the matter was over as far as they were concerned, but then the drunk assholes started their crybaby squealing about how foreigners come here to bully poor Chinese people etc etc and the cops were now blaming my friend.
He was threatened with prison and told he'd need to pay tens of thousands of RMB compensation to the drunk who started the whole thing and the drunk was now the victim. It went on for a few days, the drunk's family and the police were basically trying to extort as much money as they could out of him so he skipped the country. The last I heard he was working in Taiwan.
I don't know what the law would be regarding defending yourself, seems like you're not allowed to but then I'm also sure the police didn't give a shit about the law, no matter who was technically wrong.
They were probably going to split whatever money they could gouge from him with the drunk.
silverbutton1:
Were the Americans here on a tourist visa ? were they tourists ? If not, their employer should have stepped in to the fray. As an example, if you work for a decent, well respected, company or mid to high end school...they will come to your defense, especially if 1) you are an exceptional at your job, and/or 2) you werent the troublemaker.
Stiggs:
The American guys were both here legally, on proper visas. The employer did get involved but when the police decided who they wanted to blame there was nothing the company could do. It was the foreigner who was deemed to be in the wrong (the other guy didn't get involved in the fight) and once that was decided it was just a matter of how much money he should pay.
Let me add something not totally relevant, but important to know nonetheless. I was told this recently. A British fella went on holiday for a week or so. The owner (or manager) of his flat knew his departure and arrival dates. The brother (with his family) of the owner/manager decided to use his flat while he was away. The British fella returned, and to his horror...his place was trashed. alot of food was eaten. valuables were stolen, etc. he went to the owner/manager and nothing was done. He went to the police, and they more or less said "oh well...shit happens". keep this in mind if/when you go on holiday.
Ok this is rly fckd up..... lets say i play injured and go to the hospital. they have to pay me compensation !!!!!!! This is seriously messed up !!!!!
Thanks for the info though, when i get into a fight in china from now on, its a hit an run before the police arrives.
Feint a punch to the head and go for the gut shot. No one expects this. It's debilitating and also leaves no bruise or mark.
Gents. Of course it has to be like this. Imagine if a party member gets into a fracas and it turns out he was the one initiating it, of course the other person needs to be punishable by law.
Isn't the correct response to kill them? If they have treatable injuries, then you'll have to pay compensation... but if they die, you get off the hook.
At least, that's the way out that I've read in Chinese media....
