Notices banning all riverbed food stalls simply red herrings

UNREGISTERED FOOD STALLS have thrived on the dry bed of the Yellow River in Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan province, despite the regulations and campaigns introduced by the authorities at various levels aimed at curbing their numbers. Beijing News comments:

The central, provincial and city governments have issued at least six special notices banning the setting up of food stalls on the riverbed because of safety and pollution concerns.

But the notices have not been translated into effective actions to eliminate the eateries.