Stolen computer debate revolves around 1 yuan claim
When Li Wenge, a businessman from Beijing, awoke one morning in a hotel in Xi'an, capital of Northwest Shaanxi province, he discovered that a computer containing important materials for his business had been stolen.
The follow-up investigation revealed that the hotel had not bothered to install any security cameras, but when the hotel refused to compensate him for his loss, he took the only step left - asking police for 1 yuan (14 cents) and an apology.
"After I reported the case to police, we found that there are no security devices at the hotel," Li said.
"I think the police station did not fully keep their administrative responsibility and should pay compensation."
The tale began on Dec 7, when Li, the project manager of a road engineering company in Beijing, traveled with his colleagues to Xi'an for a project bid.
"We stayed in room No 6307 at the hotel, and the next morning we found that the computer which contained very important information for the bid had been stolen," Li said.
His colleague also lost some valuables.
"I lost 10,000 yuan," Lei Xiaohu said.
After learning about the crime, police at Xiaozhailu Police Station visited the hotel. They were unable to detect any signs of forced entry in the room.
"We initially suspected hotel staff, or people in Li's group," a police officer who would not give his name said.
"It was very strange that there were no signs of breaking and entering," Lei said.
The Beijing businessmen were more surprised to discover that the hotel had no security cameras.
However, the hotel refused to budge on the issue of compensation.
So on Dec 16, Lei went to the police to ask for 1 yuan in compensation and an apology on behalf of his colleagues.
"According to the Regulation on Hotel Industry Security Management issued by the Ministry of Public Security in November 1987, public security organs should guide and supervise hotels on issues affecting security and public safety," he said.
Baffled by the request, police said any talk of compensation should occur between the aggrieved guests and the hotel, and that there is no legal basis for the businessmen's claim.
Police sources said Yanta district, where the hotel is located, has spent more than 5 million yuan on an electronic monitoring system since 2006. The system monitors all key public places, such as banks, roads and squares.
"But the hotel is a business, so we can only advise them to install cameras. We cannot force them to do so," a police officer said.
Zhang Maoxing, a lawyer, said the Beijing businessmen's claim is not reasonable.
"There is no legal basis for their demand that the hotel have a monitoring system, nor for their request that the police compensate them," the lawyer said.
He said it would be better for the businessmen to keep pushing the hotel for compensation.
China Daily
(China Daily 01/31/2008 page6)
