Justice sans escorts

On behalf of all those who "shang fang," we thank the authorities in Ruijin, Jiangxi province, for their profound considerateness and rich imagination in dispatching official escorts for citizens who visit higher authorities to voice grievances.

Yet given that there are too many in Ruijin who prefer to have their woes heard by someone higher up, we wonder if local cadres can afford that many trips. Which cost time, energy, and money. Sometimes, they had to accompany the subjects all the way to Beijing, paying for their travel, lodge, and even entertainment, so that they do not cause trouble at delicate moments.

And, few seem to enjoy the more-than-preferential treatment. Of the 496 "shang fang" cases registered in the first quarter, only 19 had official escorts. That was a result of local cadres being on high alert, watching out for clues of possible visits to higher levels.