Welcome moves to better reward good Samaritans

MA XUEJING/CHINA DAILY

THE PROVINCIAL legislature of Central China's Henan province recently published the draft of a local regulation on rewarding good Samaritans, which raised the rewards they might receive. Beijing News comments:

There are two points that are significant. First, the draft regulation clearly states that the next of kin of those who die trying to save others will receive 1 million yuan ($152,013), which is the highest such award nationwide. Only Guangzhou, capital of South China's Guangdong province, offers the same. However, Guangdong is more prosperous than Henan.

Second, the next of kin of Henan residents who die helping others outside the province will also be given the award. In the past, their heroic deeds had to take place within the province.

The next of kin of Li Xiuguo, a farmer from Henan who died trying to help some drowning people in neighboring Shandong province this July, did not receive any money, because his brave deed did not take place in Henan. Likewise in Shandong, they only reward good Samaritans or their families who have a local residence registration.

To encourage people to help others in need, every provincial-level administrative region has its own regulations on the honors and rewards for good Samaritans. However, in practice, it is still difficult for good Samaritans to get what they should.

For example, most provinces require good Samaritans or their families to apply for the honor, which means they have to collect evidence, which can be hard sometimes.

Besides, some people who are disabled as a result of helping others can only get onetime allowance rather than monthly subsidies from the State, according to current regulations.

We hope the regulations will be further revised to better help those who suffer as a result of helping others.