China's first 'Good Samaritan' law takes effect  

首部保護救助人權益法規實施 助人者不用自證清白

Shenzhen (CNS) -- South China's Shenzhen city on Thursday implemented the country's first "Good Samaritan" law.

The law says that people who perform heroic actions should be presumed innocent, even if their actions have negative consequences. Moreover, people who receive help but believe their rights have been violated should collect evidence to prove any wrongdoing.

Zhou Chengxin, who works for Shenzhen's legislative office and drafted the law, said in an interview that the law borrows from foreign countries, and absolves people who assist those in distress from certain liabilities arising from their efforts. The law's name comes from the story of "The Good Samaritan" in the Bible, he added.

In the past, people who received help sometimes tried to sue their rescuers, often in the hope of winning damages, which has caused many to think twice before offering help.

In 2006, Peng Yu, a 26-year-old student in Nanjing, was sued by a 65-year-old women for pushing her to the ground at a bus stop. Peng insisted he had simply lent a helping hand to the woman after she fell, but the court set a precedent in September 2007 by requiring Peng to pay 45,877 yuan, a large share of the woman's medical bills.

This case fueled a heated debate online, though Peng was later confirmed to have actually knocked against the woman.