Above the Law? Extraterritoriality and the Gucci 3

It’s not every day I hear my favorite Boston sports talk radio hosts discuss the intricacies of Chinese law, but the detention of UCLA basketball players LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill in Hangzhou last week for allegedly shoplifting sunglasses and other items has focused attention on China’s judicial system and its treatment of foreigners. Earlier this week, President Donald Trump took credit for orchestrating the release of the “Gucci Three.” One wonders if Trump even considered the price of Xi Jinping’s intervention. Has anyone checked on the whereabouts of Guo Wengui lately?

This was not the first time — nor will it be the last time — that foreigners have asked for special treatment after running afoul of Chinese law