Demolitions an abuse of power

Proper administration over newsstands is necessary, but the authorities need to consult public opinion before taking any action. By demolishing legal newsstands with force, without any negotiation, they will not only inconvenience and upset residents, they will also affect the lives of those who run the newsstands by depriving them of their source of income. Besides, such actions require money, which will doubtlessly come out of taxpayers' pockets. Such deeds are far from reasonable or smart.

Fujian Daily, Aug 11

The root problem of the demolitions lies in the rigid thinking of the urban authorities, who equate a modern city with skyscrapers and clean streets, while forgetting its cultural quality. The quality of a city's culture is essential; please don't lower it by eliminating newsstands.

people.com.cn, Aug 11

If "the sewer is the conscience of the city", as the old saying goes, the newsstand is its cultural chorus. As part of daily urban life, newsstands not only carry people's cultural memories, but also are concerned with the interests of managers and consumers of culture. Before making decisions concerning people's daily lives, the authorities need to think from the view of those concerned, instead of ignoring everything.

Yangzhou Evening News, Aug 11

Years ago, urban authorities allowed newsstands to be built according to their requirements; today it is the same authorities that are demolishing them without any warning, before the contracts expire.

The incident reveals that the old problem, namely power lacking the most basic respect for the rights of society and individuals, still exists. The central leadership vowed to shut power in a cage and we expect that process to include every detail of our daily lives.

gwm.cn, Aug 11

Demolishing legal newsstands is evil enough; more absurd is that authorities did not acknowledge their responsibility for the deed until the media asked. Even under such conditions they did not utter a single word about who should compensate the newsstand owners for their losses. This is not the rule of law, but the rule of force.

Southern Metropolis Daily, Aug 10

(China Daily 08/12/2014 page8)