(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-10 23:45

Li's merciful act, however, has caused a hot debate.

Some people reckon that Li can tell goodness and evil apart, while others believe Li is divine for being able to forgive those who have erred.

Song Shaobo, Li's son, said: "In the beginning, I didn't quite understand my mum. Seeing blood stains in our home, I got really mad and almost wanted to stab that thug. Mom even called him her godson and I don't think he deserved it."

Zhang Xiuhua, who shares a ward with Li, said Ms Li was no ordinary woman.  "Li dared to fight the thug, but when his life was in danger, she chose to offer help and save him. She is a woman of vision and as a mother, she is always ready to teach children the errors of their ways."

Qian Qimin, deputy chief in charge of the publicity department with Weihai City Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), spoke highly of Li's act.

"Li absolutely went beyond ordinary people's mindset in dealing with people who have a twisted soul such as Ding. Li resorted to motherly love and the caring heart of a teacher when the assailant lost the ability to fight back and needed help," said Qian.

Some specialists and academics even say the spirit of forgiving exerted by Ms Li is of great significance in China's campaign to build a harmonious society and should be spread to more areas.

Wang Zhongwu, a professor of social sciences with Shandong University, said in a society ruled by law, law breakers should be dealt with accordingly, and no prejudice or tolerance should be shown to criminals.

"The practice of returning good for evil, however, has long been embedded in Chinese traditional culture, and has become a lofty state of great spiritual value," said Wang. "Virtues such as being tolerant and generous are of great value to the country's drive to build an harmonious society."

Tang Meng, a local patrol police officer who was in charge of dealing with the case, said Li's virtuous deed was touching, but the incident was a serious crime, and she should have reported it first off to the police.

One posting on Xinhuanet.com lambasted Li for her act by saying it is a decadent society where right could not be distinguished from wrong, nor kindness be told apart from evil.

"It is the biggest sin to put up with crimes," said the posting.

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