Urban patrols break stereotypes

In China, when people mention the word chengguan - urban patrol officers - the first impression might be negative, thoughts of abuse of power or their rude manners when expelling vendors.

However, during my several days' stay in the coastal city of Qinhuangdao, the stereotype was changed by some new friends working in the chengguan system.

"How do you feel about our city?" That is the first question Li Yaobin, director of the urban management office of Qinhuangdao, asked me when we met.