Officer sees role as bridge

BEIJING - Sitting next to a 60-year-old woman, Du Quantang had been listening for about 20 minutes to her repeated complaints about an ongoing land dispute with the village committee.

"I have less money now. The land is my main financial source. Why did the committee withdraw the land without any explanation? You must represent my appeal to them," she said, pouring out her discontent in one quick sentence after another.

Du tried to break in but swallowed his words to show respect.