A video posted online showed an official at the petition office in Nanyang, Henan province in Central China, verbally abusing a petitioner. Comments:
In fact what the official did reflects the mindset of some officials who have given priority to serving for the sake of power and interests, rather than serving the people, to whom they show no consideration for their feelings and opinions. For them, the concept of service-oriented government is just lip service.
Chinajilin.com.cn, Oct 20
Power, a tool supposed to serve the people, has been used to bully them in the wrong hands of some officials. When meeting petitioners, what officials at the petitions office should do is to listen to their appeals and try to help solve their problems. Instead, the official in this case not only doubted the petitioner's motivation before the latter had even explained the situation; he also insulted the petitioner with foul language. Officials should make good use of the power they have in their hands rather than being overwhelmed by it and turning the power entrusted them by the people into violence. Otherwise, it will eventually be themselves who have to pay the price.
Cjn.cn, Oct 19
Conflict and quarrels between ordinary people and officials will inevitably and easily occur when things are not handled by the officials as well as expected. But despite the anger that results, neither side is entitled to verbally abuse the other, especially officials as it is not only a matter of their self-discipline, but also about their way of working.
Renet.cn, Oct 20