Expats break law

The six foreigners who "insulted" a drunken man should be tracked down and punished, because expatriates in China should respect the local code of behavior, says Guangming Daily. Excerpts:

Six foreigners were seen posing for photographs with an unconscious drunken man lying unconscious on a pavement in an area in Beijing known for pubs and bars around 5:30 in the morning on July 13, according to some witnesses. The foreigners were seen resting their feet on the unconscious man and even carrying him on their shoulders while making threatening gestures at passers-by.

Police say it is difficult to find these foreigners. Besides, no one has filed a report about when exactly the incident took place.

It is shocking to know that no one stopped the foreigners from making fun of a man or called police to prevent them from insulting a person who was not even in his senses. The foreigners openly violated China's laws and regulations and yet got away easily.

Police officers should try their best to track down the offenders and punish them according to the law.

Chinese people treat expatriates as guests, who command great respect in the East. More than that, Chinese people consider foreigners their friends. But such treatment and consideration is based on the condition that foreigners respect Chinese rules and traditions in return. And if foreigners don't do so, they should be punished.

Some foreigners have a misplaced sense of superiority, thinking they are above the law. For instance, foreigners are frequently seen getting into brawls in bars and pubs over the weekends.

Since most of the bars and pubs in Beijing have close circuit television cameras, police officers should check their video recordings to identify the foreigners involved in the incident, and bring them to justice if they have.

By doing so, police officers will set an example which will serve as a warning to other expatriates that they should respect China's laws and regulations. Or else, they will be deported to their countries.