From Chinese Press

Respect vendors' dignity

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-05-25 08:25

Strict enforcement of laws and regulations alone will not teach people to respect the rule of law. Instead, it could sow the seeds of violence in them, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

Chengguan (urban administrative and law enforcement) officers in Beijing's Tongzhou district injured a woman vendor and her 8-year-old daughter while confiscating her goods. No wonder, Chengguan officers have become one of the most criticized public servants.

There have been innumerable reports on how mercilessly they treat vendors and street-side stall owners.

Such brutal ways of implementing regulations must be abandoned, at least for the sake of the young generation. Violence won't lead to a society ruled by law, instead it will linger on in a young and naive heart for life.

It's natural for the authorities to clamp down on vendors, but they have no right to impede on people's dignity, or to beat up or injure children.

(China Daily 05/25/2010 page9)