China touts its legal system as protecting rights

BEIJING (AP) — Chinese lawmakers on Thursday touted the country's legal system as the best way to protect the rights of citizens, despite the widespread detention and intimidation of political critics that is fueling a small but growing movement for greater civil liberties.

The system reflects rapid social changes since China instituted economic reforms three decades ago, two deputy directors of the national legislature's legal affairs committee told reporters at a government briefing.

But they refused to address concerns over the illegal harassment and detention of government critics, including Liu Xia, the wife of imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, and Chen …