Criticism only welcome if fair

A series of photos showing Zhou Qifeng, president of Peking University, kneeling before his mother and crying in her arms on her 90th birthday at his home village in Liuyang, Hunan province, has provoked the ire of some netizens, who have criticized him for "turning it into a public show". Such criticism is unwarranted if the photos are genuine, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

The proof some netizens have given for their attacks on Zhou is the media showed up to cover the story. If they were indeed invited by Zhou, the criticism is justified as the media should not be involved with his family affairs. If not, such accusations are nonsense.

It seems that the photos were first posted online by someone who was moved by Zhou's show of filial respect to his mother. If that is indeed the case, it is not at all self-promotion. In fact, it is natural and intimate for a son to hug his mother and kneel down to show her his respect.

A careful look at criticism of Zhou will show that it is also the result of some of the controversial speeches he has made as the president of Peking University. One may not approve of what he has said on campus, but that is no reason to attack him for showing his mother the respect she deserves.

Zhou is a president at Peking University but a son at home. Even though he might be challenged for his speeches and deeds on campus, no one should stop him from fulfilling his obligations as a dutiful son. Though netizens have the right to supervise the private affairs of a public figure like Zhou, they should by no means criticize him just for the sake of criticism.

(China Daily 07/19/2012 page9)