Henan to reward Good Samaritans

Henan government passed a regulation focused on rewarding Good Samaritans on Friday in Zhengzhou, the capital city of Central China's Henan province, showing the details while encouraging people to voluntarily offer assistance to those in need of emergency help.

The government will offer a reward of more than 50,000 yuan ($7,562) to residents who make an outstanding contribution to help others, with a special bonus of up to 1 million yuan to those who lose their lives or the ability to work due to their sacrifice.

The regulation aims to create a better social atmosphere for helping others after China's Good Samaritan law went into effect on Oct 1.

Under the legislation, people who voluntarily offer emergency assistance to those who are, or who they believe to be, injured, ill, in danger, or otherwise incapacitated, will not have civil liability in the event of harm to the victims.

In addition, the reward policy in Henan would be used for all Good Samaritans in Henan, as well as those who work or study in other provinces but have a Henan hukou, or household registration, the regulation said.

It also emphasized people should provide assistance promptly when seeing a Good Samaritan acting in a courageous manner, such as helping him or her to send for help from a nearby hospital or contact local police.

The regulation takes effect on Jan 1.