Re-education victim vows to continue campaign (3)

Wang Cheng, a Hangzhou-based lawyer who initiated a campaign to abolish the system, told the Global Times Wednesday that he had collected more than 9,800 signatures, a figure approaching his target of 10,000, which is when he will submit it to China's top legislature.

Wang Cheng said he regards the level of public attention on Ren's case and the earlier release of Tang Hui, a mother of an underage rape victim, as encouraging signs to press for changes.

The public's concern over the system has prompted the authorities to acknowledge that some loopholes exist in its regulations and procedures. Jiang Wei, a senior official in charge of China's judicial system reform, said last month the country is formulating reforms to labor re-education. Four cities have reportedly been undertaking pilot schemes.

However, legal reform advocates have struck a cautious note on the progress of reform.