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Private Eyes Seek Legal Recognition

Even though Sherlock Holmes is a household name in China, the private-detective profession has never been legalized, but a change is on the way.

The Ministry of Public Security is launching a survey throughout Chinas major cities on the development of private investigation services, a sign widely interpreted as a prelude to the legalization of the business, reported Xinhua News Agency.

Peng Yong, deputy general manager of the Chongqing-based Bangde Commercial Investigation Co Ltd, said the survey his company received touched on the scope of its services, fees, investigative means and investigative tools used by the company.

The survey is being conducted in the country's 10 biggest cities, including Beijing.

"In a commercial way, the private detectives involvement in the social and legal order could compliment the government s management of society," said He Jiahong, a professor with Renmin University of China, in an interview with Global magazine.

According to He, there are about 20,000 private detective agencies in China, but none of them refer to themselves as private detective institutions.

Private detectives are used to businesses and individuals to assist in handling civil affairs and economic disputes, pursuing debt payments and looking for relatives and friends, he said.

Private detectives may also help protect trustees legal rights, He said. If not properly regulated, however, detectives may also infringe the privacy of others and even cause a negative influence on society.