May 31, 2013

Editors from the EO's Chinese website publish a daily collection of extracts from commentary pieces on topical issues that appear in the mainland press alongside reactions on Sina Weibo. Every Friday, the EO's English team translates a selection of these opinion pieces.

A Spate of Sexual Abuse Cases
Background: Over the past three weeks, nine sexual abuse cases involving minors have come to light, beginning when a primary school principal in Hainan spent the night in a hotel room with several of his female students on May 8. Most of these cases have involved school teachers or principals. The Supreme People’s Court (最高人民法院) has vowed to come down hard on pedophiles and has publicized punishments from three recent cases. One of these cases ended with the execution of a school teacher who raped seven students.

Commentary:
According to Chen Weidong (陈卫东), a law professor at Renmin University, the examples from the Supreme Court give guidelines for courts at all levels to follow in similar cases. However, cases may have very different features.  These precedents may only serve as a reference. It is different from the precedent setting cases in Western countries.
China Business View
Original article: [Chinese] 

Heavy punishments including the death penalty can prevent campus criminals to some degree, but criminal law is only the last defense. We need to build a comprehensive law network to protect teenagers, and focus on implementation of those laws.
The Beijing News
Original article: [Chinese]

We need to build a watchdog system to raise teachers’ professional ethics (师德建设监督体系). It should include society, parents, students and schools. The Supreme Court is sending us a message through these cases: Children receive special protection from the law. Anyone who hurts children in a sexual way will be punished without leniency.
Chinese Youth Newspaper
Original article: [Chinese] 

No More VIP Cards
Background: The Central Commission for Discipline Inspection of the CPC made a decision on May 27 to require all employees to return any cards for VIP clubs by June 20. It was announced by Wang Qishan (王岐山), the nation’s top anti-graft official and a member of the Politburo Standing Committee. 

Commentary:
The Party’s anti-corruption watchdog has gotten off to a good start in its drive to ensure that its own officers are clean. Six months have passed since China’s new leadership took power. Judging from the anti-corruption policies they have unveiled, one can see that their actions are aimed at both the symptoms and causes of corruption, starting with the prior. One can also see that this will be a long effort fraught with many difficulties. It is just a start, but we have reason for hope.
Caixin Media
Original article: [Chinese]

The weapons of the anti-corruption campaign are policies, not people. Thus, if the implementations of the bans can hasten the speed of anti-corruption policy development, people will look forward to it.
Economic Observer
Original article: [Chinese] 

Some people may be concerned with the implementation of these bans when they lack public scrutiny. The worry is whether officials will actually turn in their VIP cards. Therefore, besides the bans, the government should crack down on those luxury clubs that have a level of extravagance akin to Lai Changxing’sRed Mansion (红楼) in Xiamen.
China Business View
Original article: [Chinese]

The bans on official extravagance shouldn’t just be limited to anti-graft officials, but should also include any individuals with public power. The campaign against corruption must surpass the governance of social function, and move to a higher level by strengthening the sturdiness of institutions.
Guangzhou Daily
Original article: [Chinese]

Uncivilized Behavior Abroad
Background: At Egypt’s Luxor Temple, the words “Ding Jinhao was here” were found carved into one of the ancient relics. After a picture of the graffiti was posted online, netizens carried out a “human flesh search” and found that Ding Jinhao was a 15-year-old boy from Nanjing. Ding’s parents later apologized to Egypt and the Chinese people for the boys actions.

Commentary
Children learn the graffiti phrase “So-and-so was here” from society. It’s society’s fault. Now we are using cyber-violence to educate him. What will the child learn from this?
Beijing News 
Original article: [Chinese]

Do we spit everywhere, make graffiti or run red lights? If we do, condemning the kid in Nanjing is just to satisfy our want for moral superiority instead of making reflection on ourselves. 
Beijing Times
Original article:[Chinese]

Photo: Dalian News

Dalian’s Woman Rangers
Background: The “Woman Rangers” who police Dalian on horseback were once regarded as one of the city's major attractions. However, in light of their high operational costs, their need is being questioned by residents.

Commentary: 
The women rangers' patrol is more of a show than a real patrol. It doesn't deter criminals, protect people’s legal rights or offer people a sense of security. Women rangers in Dalian are for viewing only. 
Legal Daily 
Original article:[Chinese]

What approach should be taken to decide whether women rangers should be dismissed? Whether or not the women rangers are dismissed, there will be people dissatisfied with the result. The only way to reach a consensus is to carry out a transparent, democratic and scientific decision making process. 
Changjiang Network
Original article:[Chinese]

All civil servants, including police and top-level leaders, are public servants by nature. The function of women rangers in Dalian is obvious to everyone. Therefore, whether or not their service is necessary should be decided by the residents of Dalian, not leaders. 
PhoenixNet
Original article:[Chinese]