Lots of people go to places they think might be interesting to teach before they settle on their real jobs.
I don't think it is anymore than what's stated in the article.
Maybe I am just ignorant on how they teach in a University in communist China but it just doesn't seem like you would be teaching the law of democracy. The Chinese gov't wouldn't let you.
He was a successful corporate lawyer before he went to China. Also, throughout all the reporting on his injuries, I've not heard whether anyone else was injured in the explosion and how they're doing. I think that's part of what's ticking off people on these Woodruff threads.