Police should have upheld the law rather than words of local officials

A MAN WHO VISITED A HOSPITAL in Shexian county, North China's Hebei province, two months ago, was so disappointed with the food in the hospital canteen that he poured out his disappointment in an online post. Because of that, he was detained on Wednesday by the county police on the grounds he had disturbed public order. Southern Metropolis Daily comments:

After the case was exposed on the internet, the police in Handan, under whose jurisdiction the county falls, conducted an investigation and announced that there were no legal grounds for the decision of the county police.

The head of the county police station concerned has been suspended and the officers who handled the case have been removed from their posts. The county police have also been ordered to extend a formal apology to the man.