Officer who died of drinking binge shouldn't be named as a martyr

Xie Feiyong, leader of a traffic police detachment in Shenzhen, really knew how to care for his subordinates. He recently invited his officers to dinner and after one died of drinking, his detachment reported the officer as dying in the line of duty and named him as a candidate for the honor of a martyr.

When questioned by the press, Xie said: "There was nothing unusual about it."

"Martyr" is a noble and sacred word. However, because of Xie, it has become a tool of corruption. Any educated Chinese knows what "martyr" means. It would be difficult for anybody to associate it with a police officer who died of binge drinking.