judicial independence, as a principle of human rights and the rule of law, has been widely accepted by the wand community as an international standard. China has also confirmed and provided for the principle of judicial independence in its Constitution and laws. Iewever, the serious problem of local protectionism in judicial practice has resulted in the "localization of judicial power", which has undermined the unity of the legal system and impeded the implementation of the principle of judicial independence. Judicial local protectionism is deeply rooted in the political system, as well as in the ideology and culture in China. To overcome judicial local protectionism, China must thoroughly reform the institutional factors that lead to "localization of judicial power", take "nationalization of judicial power" as the guideline for judicial reform, and design a new judicial system accordingly. |