Fatal beating sparks outrage

More than 100 city officials from across the country have condemned city administrators in Hubei province for beating a man to death earlier this month for filming a dispute between the administrators and residents.

The officials, who gathered in Beijing over the weekend, said in a statement that the act "trampled the law and violated human rights", the Procutorial Daily reported yesterday.

They called on city administrators, or chengguan, to improve their work practices and build a friendly, civilized public image.