On November 20th, near Xindong Street in Xinfu District, Xinzhou, Shanxi, a man had his stall fined and his vehicle seized by urban management officers (chengguan). The man lost control of his emotions and angrily smashed two gas cylinders in the street, causing public concern.
According to the video uploader, around 7:30 pm that evening, a man selling items on the roadside was fined by the urban management officers for operating in the road. His car was also impounded. A heated argument ensued between the two parties, with the man catching up and blocking the urban management vehicle. He then took off his shirt, retrieved gas cylinders from his own car, and forcefully smashed them on the ground in front of the officers.
Another witness, Ms. Zhang, told “Jingshi Live” that the vendor became agitated after his vehicle was confiscated and opened the gas valve of the cylinders.
In the video, after opening the gas valve of the cylinder, a faint blue gas emerged from it. The man then lifted the cylinder over his head and threw it down forcefully, causing several urban management officers to run away in fear.
According to the Xinzhou Urban Management Bureau on November 21st, the man involved in the incident has been brought under control.
The incident sparked discussions online. Some netizens commented, “Why seize his car?” “Taking away someone’s livelihood, can’t it be handled differently?” “Don’t push all the responsibility onto others, learn from Zibo, all for the sake of survival.” “Zibo provides time and place for stalls.” “He’s not stealing or robbing, he just wants to survive, rational guidance is needed. If it were a bomb, it would have been a catastrophe.” “Operating in the road is indeed wrong, but nobody wants to set up a stall! Forced into helplessness.” “Give people a way to make a living, don’t push them to a dead end.”
“Can we treat hardworking people well, it’s 1 degree in Shanxi, please treat your fellow countrymen well, as long as it doesn’t affect traffic, let them sell. Who would want to set up a stall on such a cold day, damn it.” “Even setting up a stall has to be regulated, just let people work.”
Some responses to those supporting the urban management officers said, “Don’t mock those who are braver than you, perhaps one day the sunlight they fought for will also shine on you.”