China in a way is using this as an example. They do not care what nationality you are where you are from if you break their laws you will be punished accordingly. It is a shame that these people were tricked into smuggling drugs across the border, but they should have been smart enough to question the situation they were in. At least two of the five people being prosecuted are not going to be put to death. China is making an example out of this that if you break their laws they will et you and you will be punished to the full extant of the law no matter where you come from.
This blog is meant to be a space for the Austin College community to discuss issues related to China and the Chinese language. For author permissions, please write to Dr. Jennifer Thackston Johnson: jtj.at.ac –at- gmail.com. Austin College is a leading national independent liberal arts college located north of Dallas in Sherman, Texas.
In Taiwan, the death sentence is also given to drug traffickers. The origin of the extreme punishment stems from when China was weakened due to people's addiction to opium, leaving it open to foreign control. From then on, the Chinese, as a whole, have viewed drug usage in a much more negative light than Americans, that I have noticed. I also agree with Spencer's comment that China is using this incident as an example. They are trying to demonstrate the power of their government and its resolve by not backing down from foreign pressure.
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