Restorative justice in Chinese communities: Cultural-specific skills and challenges

Abstract

In the past few decades, restorative justice has grown rapidly, with the emergence of new intervention practices, standards, and skills in school initiatives, family welfare, and criminal justice. Currently, restorative practice, for handling conflicts and crimes with the aim of holding offenders accountable for their actions and reconciling relationships, is not only implemented in Australasia, Europe, and North America but also in Asia and the Greater China Region. With real case illustrations, this chapter compares and contrasts programme goals, models, procedures, and skills central to restorative interventions in three Chinese communities: Hong Kong, Taiwan, and mainland China. The chapter aims to contribute to the Handbook’s international targets and ambitions by opening a window into the specific developments of a range of restorative interventions for youth offenders in Chinese communities. It argues that some culture-specific principles and skills are essential elements for the success of restorative practice. Our lessons from the implementation of restorative justice in Chinese communities are transferable across the globe.