It’s the law: Chengguan in Guangzhou now have to be nice

Xinxi Shibao 15Oct

Better late than never: new regulations in force from today in Guangzhou require all chengguan in the city to be courteous in the enforcement of their duties and to use words like “please”, “thank you” and “I’m sorry”. The new regulations, entitled “Guangzhou Metropolitan Comprehensive Law Enforcement Work Standards” (广州市城市管理综合执法工作规范), state clearly that chengguan may not use profane or threatening language while enforcing their duties, may not damage private property, and may not use any form of violence or intimidation. As is well known, the chengguan can definitely do with some anger management (see for example previous Danwei post here).

The front page of today’s Information Times (信息时报) has the story, and on page 3 the newspaper has included a helpful graphic with correct and incorrect speech bubbles to ensure there can be no misunderstanding of the new regulations. Also, on page 5 the newspaper has today printed mugshots of the 30 most wanted criminals in Guangdong (see below).

In all the new “Work Standards” comprise 157 clauses in 13 chapters that collectively aim to provide clear operational procedures for chengguan law enforcement operations. The new rules state that chengguan are not permitted to use any kind of cold or harsh language with the public, and neither should they use sarcasm, profanity, threats and intimidation. In fact, the new rules include a basic formulation for how chengguan should address the public, starting with “Hello” and including “please”, a clear explanation of any actions taken by the chengguan, and ending in “thank you”. If any chengguan should find himself being heckled by the public, he should kindly explain his actions to them and state his service number.

In addition to using nice words, the chengguan now also cannot randomly damage private property, do their duties after drinking alcohol, or take recourse to any other kind of violent or unseemly behavior.

Have you seen these people?
The main headline on the front page of Information Times today is a few mug shots of wanted criminals. On page 5 the following 30 mug shots appear of the most wanted criminals in Guangzhou. All of these have committed “grave” crimes like theft and fraud as well as other crimes. As you can see below, the youngest of the wanted persons is just 17 years old.
Xinxi Shibao 15Oct p05

Links and sources
Information Times (信息时报): 城管执法结束要说“谢谢您”广东悬红通缉30逃犯

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