First, the law liberates good Samaritans from any legal responsibility for the condition of the person they assist, except in cases of gross negligence. And importantly, the law shifts the burden of proof from the helper, to where it should be: the person in need of assistance.

The law also provides significant punishment for those who falsely accuse those who come to their aid. This includes both fines and imprisonment.

As originally debated, there was discussion of the offer of cash or other rewards to good Samaritans. Unfortunately, this was not included, but the law does include legal aid.

While in the ocean of China's vast population, Shenzhen's few million people are just a drop in the bucket. I'll be rooting for the law to be a success and used as a model for a national law to help fulfill the Chinese Dream and build a more harmonious society at the same time.

The author, Harvey Dzodin, is a senior adviser to Tsinghua University and former director and vice-president of ABC Television in New York.

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