The China of today is heir to a rich civilization and to tradition. One might ask, therefore, how modern legal claims can be enforced. This article reflects the experience of the author in this respect, especially when dealing with protective rights, such as patents, trademarks, copyright and so on. He found that controversies, certainly those relating to protective rights, are best settled by appropriate negotiation rather than litigation. However, when a compromise cannot be reached and a justified legal or economic interest is to be enforced, the resolve to do so should be signalled. The legal system in China is stable enough to ensure that well founded actions will result in success.