March 8, 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.

Baby Haobo  Murdered
Background: On the morning of Mar 4 in Changchun, a man left his two-month old baby in the car with the engine running while he ran in to warm up his shop. Within those few minutes, the car was stolen along with the baby. A massive city-wide search involving thousands of police was mobilized, but the following day it was announced that the suspect, Zhou Xijun (周喜軍), had turned himself in and confessed to killing the child. Soon after, outrage erupted online directed toward the killer, the father, police, the media and the whole of Chinese society. 

Commentary: If we allow hatred to overflow in all directions then society will be filled with hatred, which is contrary to the nature of the law. Society’s savagery has been aroused because of one person's barbaric behavior. This will not only prevent righteousness from being upheld, but it will cause our society be harmed even further by Zhou Xijun’s evil.
Economic Observer Online
Original article: [Chinese] 

This case has not only provoked thought about the horrible crime itself, but also introspection about the media’s involvement, the role mirco-blogging played and the mobilization of the city to rescue the child. These are all worth being discussed. Some internet users blamed the result on the media and the public, which goes after the wrong target.
Beijing Times
Original article: [Chinese]

This case let us feel the brightest side and ugliest side of humanity at the same time. We call for legislation protecting of the rights of infants that’s not just talked about, but implemented on paper and in action.
Youth Times
Original article: [Chinese]

Burmese Drug Smugglers Executed
Background: On Mar 1, four Burmese drug smugglers convicted of murdering 13 Chinese on the Mekong River in 2011 were executed by lethal injection. CCTV controversially aired a two-hour special leading up to the executions.

Commentary: It’s in accord with the expectations of most Chinese nationals that justice has been done and dead souls have found their peace. China has never dreamed of becoming “world police,” but it should always have the courage and determination to make the right decisions for protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals.
Beijing Times (京華時(shí)報(bào))
Original article: [Chinese]

Comments from netizens:
@就這么地活：It’s really great to enhance China’s deterrence to law breaking in the international arena and protect Chinese nationals

@新華視點(diǎn)：Dead souls get their comfort after criminals are executed. But while society is paying attention to the execution of criminals, better hope it’s not a celebration of death. At this moment, let’s regard them as ordinary people who have their own family and love for life. It’s worth discussion whether it’s appropriate to live broadcast their final moments.

Two Sessions Opens
Background: The first session of the 12^th National Committee for the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) began in the Great Hall of the People on Mar 3 and the first session of the 12^th National People’s Congress (NPC) began two days later. It will last for nearly two weeks until Mar 17.

Commentary: The Two Sessions serves as a platform for democracy. It’s been rich not only in its content, but also in the channels it gives to express opinions publically. Consultative democracy will be fully demonstrated during the two sessions, and will, no doubt, improve with practice.
Beijing Times (京華時(shí)報(bào))      
Original article: [Chinese]         

Changes this year like requiring thrift among officials and barring road blockages for motorcades illustrate the importance of deputies showing their “awareness of problems.” They should be able to discover and put forward problems. The more issues deputies raise at the sessions, the more efficient they’ll be at meeting the expectations of the people.
Yangtse Evening Post (揚(yáng)子晚報(bào))
Original article: [Chinese]

Comment from netizen:
@剛強(qiáng)膽壯777：The Two Sessions should put treatment of village doctors into its proposals, and actually carry them through. Only by doing this can people in the countryside get efficient and reliable medical treatment.

Floating Population Expected to get Urban Household Registration
Background: Recently, the Ministry of Public Security said that it would establish a system allowing floating migrants who’ve lived in the city for a long time to gain a local residence household registration.

Commentary:
Whether or not a citizen has the right to gain an urban household registration should have no reasonable relation to his or her skills. Justice and fairness obviously shouldn’t be established on the basis of big fish eating up small fish. It’s worth questioning whether those vulnerable groups with low qualifications and no skills who are most in need of medical security and a reduction in children’s tuition fees are destined to forever be losers in this “fair” game. Where is the path out for these people in the double hurdle of household registration and performance barriers?
New Express Daily
Original article: [Chinese] 

Comment from netizen:
It’s not realistic. China’s large cities all have limited size. It’s impossible to take all the people who want to move into the cities. Urbanization is China’s future trend. However, the focal point of urbanization isn’t to develop large cities, but to focus on developing middle-sized cities and towns by improving their medical care, education, traffic and other services.