From the Chinese Press

Official bumbles, couple in trouble

A couple in Wuming county in the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, expecting their second child after getting certification from the local family planning authority, have been told that the certification needs to be withdrawn because of an official's mistake. Now they are in a dilemma, either to pay a fine for having a second child or go in for abortion. Ordinary people should not pay for the mistakes of government officials, says an article in People's Daily. Excerpts:

When an incident like the one in Wuming comes to public attention, bumbling officials always apologize for the mistakes to wash their hands of the affair. Apologies are important but more important are remedial measures, because such incidents cause damage to the parties involved.