Soothed feet, clean conscience

In 1995, the Reichstag building in Berlin was wrapped in white sheets by the artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude as an art project.

Recently, a building in the city of Zhangjiajie, Hunan province, seemed to be wrapped in red sheets. The intention was not to be artistic, though, as the vertical banners all bore congratulatory messages from an array of government agencies, including the tax bureau, the court and the procurator's office - all for the celebration of a foot-washing business.

When photos of the banner-covered building surfaced online, they drew a barrage of condemnation: How could local authorities join hands with unsavory elements in such a blatant display of solidarity? Are they supposed to be the cat and the mouse?