Human Rights Lawmaking in China: Domestic Politics, International Law, and International Politics

China has moved toward human rights law internationally and domestically since the late 1970s. Their economic reform necessitates the introduction of law in conjunction with building a market economy. As a Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council, China cannot avoid integrating international human rights law into its system of governance, and Beijing has found soft rights law manageable. Western rights pressure since 1989 has had an indirect impact. Beijing sees legal reform and the signing of international rights conventions as evidence of progress. While somewhat limited, China's adoption of rights laws affects how domestic politics is played out and leads to the creation of a legal profession interested in promotion of the rule of law.