Lovers Fined For "Public Hugging"

by phrolen | August 31, 2007 at 08:10 am | 1071 views | 30 comments | 4 recommendations

No, it is not something out of George Orwell's 1984, well almost; it is yet another horror story out of communist China. A young man and a young women were arrested and fined the Chinese equivalent of $600 dollars for "Public hugging" on the Chinese version of Valentines Day. The next morning they woke up bound and gagged by the thought police and forced to recite love verses from one million valentines that were mailed into big brother. Well not that entire last sentence is true...ok, none of it is. The associated press is now reporting that after public outcry and western news reports of the incident, the plain clothes officers who arrested the couple have now been reprimanded. Which, in China, is almost code lingo for the will be found dead in a few weeks, apparently from "Suicide." I guess this is a warning for all 08 Olympic visitors not to give their significant others a huge smackeroo on the mouth when their nation's team wins the gold. Sorry France. Olympic visitors are also being warned that overt displays of nationalism must also be followed by a silent oath of loyalty to "The party." This precaution will ensure no middle of the night disappearances for foreigners.

BEIJING (Reuters) - China has punished three policemen for detaining and fining two young lovers 5,000 yuan ($660) for hugging in public on the Chinese version of Valentine's Day.

The couple paused to embrace while taking a stroll along a river in Jinshi in the central province of Hunan, the Shanghai Daily said.

"As we hugged each other, three policemen came and separated us so they could ask questions. They brought us to the police station and didn't free us until we paid a 5,000 yuan fine," the paper quoted female detainee, Xiao Hong, as saying in an Internet posting on a local news portal.

The police were in plain clothes and many other couples were out strolling on the evening of "Qi Xi" -- a local festival often dubbed Chinese Valentine's Day, the Beijing News said in a separate report.

Internet users poured derision on the police, which "forced officials to look into the case," the paper said.

"The three policemen have been punished. We have never dealt with such a case before," the paper quoted a clerk at the police station as saying.

Police had refunded the money to Xiao Hong's boyfriend and apologized, the paper said.

Police in China have previously taken a dim view of public displays of affection. Last October, volunteers offering "free hugs" in a shopping street in Beijing were hauled away for questioning.

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jordan

at 08:13 on August 31st, 2007

That just makes me sad. I know that, in many parts of the Pacific Rim, public displays of affection are frowned upon but not considered an arrestable offense!

SthPacific

at 08:46 on August 31st, 2007

Actually Jordan Public displays of affection are a western thing and
non Muslim Africa. 3/4's of the world regard it as offensive. A thing
to remember when in India or any Muslim Country.

As for China I call BS
on this story. First it comes from AP, second it appears no where else. Public Displays of affection are not the cultural norm in China and they are especially frowned upon when it involves "mixed race contact" They have about the same attitude to it as loony Southern Baptists do towards Black men and white women.

jordan

at 09:16 on August 31st, 2007

I know. That's whay I said "frowned upon"... there are varying degrees of this throughout the world: Singapore was more hand-holding-friendly, though not if either person was spitting!

watchdog

at 10:27 on September 2nd, 2007

Okay, I'm slightly confused...you're calling BS on the story...even though you agree that in China public displays of affection are (emphasis is mine) "especially frowned upon"? So why don't you believe the story? Is it because we all know the AP is out to get Red China? Did the local Al-Jazeera feed not have time to run the story in between beheadings? Or are you calling BS because it's just automatic for you...this story doesn't disparage the United States or single white males...ITS ALL A LIE!!! Anyway, it's obvious the whole story was written in a humorous fashion. It's just too bad that loony liberalism has replaced southern baptism as the center of extremeism. Southern Baptists may frown upon interracial marriages, (I don't know I'm not southern baptist, and have never heard one say anything about the subject), but it seems that folks like you have declared war on common sense in the name of ideology. Good luck with that.

gmony714

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 08:29 on August 31st, 2007

phrolen, I as a Cuban I know them commies real good thanks for the info

Tom van B

at 15:39 on August 31st, 2007

gmony714, I have not heard the expression "them commies" for decades. Is this expression alive and well in the US today?

phrolen

at 09:04 on August 31st, 2007

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=nw20070831084404654C712802; http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/31/2021232.htm

Of course you call BS on it Sth Pac. We'd need to check you for a feaver if you didn't chap. Thanks for the video, funny as hell. Oh BTW, I call BS on you insulting my religous denominational preferences. Have attended several SBC churches and found most of them spiritually fufilling. Cross curtural marriages are actually quite common here in the U.S. and public displays of racism are quite rare. From what I hear yous guys down under have quite a problem with racism yourself. So.. tend your business pardner, and when it comes to religous tendencies, bugger off, this is twice you have insulted me regarding religon.

SthPacific

at 09:17 on August 31st, 2007

Well if you dont want people to paint you with broad brush strokes then I would suggest you do the same. I was not whole hearted in that comment phrolen but you must admit there are Loony Minorities in every religion.

Meanwhile in real news

phrolen

at 09:33 on August 31st, 2007

I do concede that loony minorities exist! Most definately. Your right. On to other news.

gmony714

at 09:25 on August 31st, 2007

pacific you have made anti jewish statements on my posts too and you have defended terrorists also i am begining to think you are yourself an Islamic extremist or on their payroll. I have encountered those like you on the net who troll and who root for the enemy and wish the worst for the US and it's men and women who are in dangerous peril and under attack by those you defend. you are being called out my friend. Now you insult my friends religion. I think I know who you really represent.

SthPacific

at 09:41 on August 31st, 2007

This is a weak attempt at censorship by you gmony. You have trampled on the US Constitution here and Disgraced the Flag of the USA. You are against Liberty and Reject international justice. You are a traitor and should be treated as such. Why dont you take your terrorist buddy Luis Posada Carriles and Orlando Bosch and go back to Cuba. I'm sure no one want's you in Miami

watchdog

at 10:39 on September 2nd, 2007

okay everybody, lets all take a deep breath, and walk away from LaLa Land...

First of all, Gmony; Did you really pull the terrorism card? Really? Over a story about China and a comment on religion? Do yourself a service buddy, step away from the ledge. Reasonable people can disagree. I'm with you on the religion crack, there's no need for it, and from what I've read so far from SthPacific, I don't think I'll be inviting him over for tea anytime soon. But that doesn't make him a terrorist. As for you, SthPacific, put away all the images of constitution trampling and flag burning. I read that and had to laugh. You got called out on a point of view. That's not censorship, that's an exchange of ideas. But instead of just laughing it off, or replying in a serious manner...you drank your kool-aid and resorted to cliches and personal attacks. Let's all get some perspective here people. No one here are terrorists, and if they are, you won't be able to tell by the quotes. Seems to me everyone is just a little too involved with how they want the world to work to even entertain ideas to the contrary. How sad. This whole article was funny folks, and it needs to be treated as such. There is humor in cultural differences, regardless of what they teach in schools. You know, homeschool kids think god created guns so we could shoot the dinosaurs, and the chinese throw folks in jail for too much eye contact...hahahaha, it's funny. So let's all put down our machetes, and get away from killing each other. We all want the same thing folks, a better world for the folks who follow us. We just have different ways to get thier, and different views of that world. But there's no need for the enimity. After all, personal attacks are the last resort of a weak argument.

Rob Walker

at 14:40 on September 1st, 2007

Did you actually just accuse someone of being an islamic extremist, for voicing an opinion you don't agree with?

I don't agree with his points or posts either, but that's going way overboard.

In fact, you're doing to him exactly what you accuse him of doing to others by that comment.

SthPacific

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 09:31 on August 31st, 2007

phrolen, I like this story. It's good stuff.

OMG its even worse than I thought it's not even news its just an internet rumour LOL

Ha HA a flag for being so bold phrolen AP/Reuters have pulled a fast one on this.

You just never know with these if there is even a grain of truth in them.

Its not unheard of for the Chinese police to try this sort of thing on but I have not heard of it for many years.

I doubt it's true

phrolen

at 09:34 on August 31st, 2007

Hence, the steep sarcasm and comedic undertow.

SthPacific

at 09:59 on August 31st, 2007

Sorry I thought you regarded the article as amusing too. Ill take down all these comments if you like. I am not out to ofend you here phrolen. I just found this as funny as that vid. It is to me, as someone who goes to China and HK frequently, a joke.

phrolen

at 09:48 on August 31st, 2007

Thanks for the GS, this was meant to me a funny story.

SthPacific

at 10:00 on August 31st, 2007

Cool :)

reednews

at 10:31 on August 31st, 2007

pacific what do you know about the US Constitution your always showing hate towards the country that document was created in. gmony is calling you out not telling you to stop expressing your ignorance you called Jews "hook nose" on one of his posts did you forget? I agree you only point out the negative abut the US and cheer the US enemy it is you that has no respect for the US Constitution because you hate the US. now for some news. And don't lie you meant to offend but when you were called out you took it back. nice try.

crissy333

at 10:50 on August 31st, 2007

phrolen I admire you and think you are a great American. Pacific gmony is right I think you do offend not only someones country but their religion too.

Tom van B

at 19:00 on August 31st, 2007

crissy333, I have been on (NP) only a short time. I can't believe how sensitive people here are (it's like everyone is on edge or under siege). "Good American", "bad American". Offending religious believes at the slightest mention of faith. What does it all mean?

phrolen

at 11:50 on August 31st, 2007

Thank you Chrissy for your kind comments, and a huge MT ditto to you. Thank you all for your posts, has been a much more lively string than I expected.

SthPacific

at 12:25 on August 31st, 2007

Well phrolen I see that went down hard, the Idea it's OK to slander all Chinese is OK but when I turn it about (Knowing your Religous Leanings before hand) it's classed as anti-American hate. LOL Now I have been accused of calling Jews Hook Nosed Ha HA way to pull something out of context.

@detractors If you remember it was gmony who was calling those people who are Jews anti-Israeli. I was defending them. But dont let me stop you from slandering someone, it seems to be the American way these days. Just make a wild acusation, Nothing too specific, keep repeating it, dont offer any proof or evidence. Now that sounds like Anti-Americanism to me. I thought your country was founded on better principals than that.

@phrolen I must say it is more lively than I thought it would be too. I suppose those guys just hate everyone except Americans who agree with them.

Kaitlin

at 12:18 on August 31st, 2007

I would just like to remind all posters that NowPublic has a very strict and definite policy on flaming/abusive postings and commentary. More information can be found in our Terms of Service.

If anyone is observing abusive posts, flaming or hate speech anywhere on NowPublic, please send me a message through my member page with a link to the inflammatory content. Those members found to be in violation of our Terms of Service will have their accounts suspended and/or will be banned from NowPublic.

Thanks for keeping the community lively and interactive, everyone. Just remember that respectfulness is not only requested, it's mandated by our Terms.

Tom van B

at 15:37 on August 31st, 2007

phrolen, I must say that this Chinese incident around hugging is insane. But please do not forget that the US can foot it with the best of them when it comes to idiotic nonsense. In what other country on this planet would we see this kind of insanity: Baggy pants "carries a fine of up to $500 or six months in jail for exposing underwear in public".

gmony714

at 18:04 on August 31st, 2007

New Zealand farmers are making a stink about government proposals that
they pay a levy on the flatulence released by their livestock.

"If
it wasn't so downright stupid it would be funny," seems to be the view
shared by many New Zealanders, as one small regional newspaper summed
it up in an editorial.

http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewForeignBureaus.asp?Page=/ForeignBureaus/archive/200306/FOR20030623a.html

were you from again tom?

Tom van B

at 18:52 on August 31st, 2007

gmony714, I was just drawing phrolen's attention to the fact that it is not only China that comes up with stupid nonsense. I am sorry if I did not make this clear enough for you. Yes, you are right, no one is immune from doing stupid things - that was my point.

PS. Large agricultural industries will have to at some point pay for their excessive methane emissions.

phrolen

at 18:42 on August 31st, 2007

Thanks Tom, I will be sure to add in italicized bold print parenthetical references next time I decide to post a humor piece since the satre seems to envoke the ire of everyone tiger crouched waiting to pounce out a bit of anti Americanism. Thank you for both your contributions to Now Public and for again enlightening me on exactly how much of a cess pool it is where I live.