The detested administrative punishment of "re-education through labor" may finally end this year. A proposal for reform tabled at a law and order work conference this month is said to have the central government's backing and will take effect once the National People's Congress Standing Committee gives its nod.

This is good news. It represents progress built on the recent cases of people like Ren Jianyu and Tang Hui, whose fight for freedom made the news. But many problems still have to be solved before police excess can be curbed.