Local government is acting illegally charging people to use a public road

ZHANGBEI, a small county in North China's Hebei province, recently began charging 50 yuan ($7.7) per person for using a provincial road that connects several local attractions. The cost of using the road may well be more than the toll to use an expressway, as everyone in a car will have to pay. Beijing News commented on Sunday:

China's provincial roads such as the one in Zhangbei should be free of charge, according to the relevant regulations. It is thus a surprise that the Zhangbei government is charging people for using the road claiming they are buying "tickets to enter scenic spots".

In fact, the county government proposed to charge 80 yuan per person last year, but had to give up the idea due to the widespread opposition.