Personal freedom, deterrence vie in China public security law revamp

Clothes or remarks hurting 'the feelings of the Chinese people' would be illegal

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China is amending the Public Security Administration Punishment Law, enacted in 2006 and partially revised in 2012, to categorize more public security violations as illegal acts subject to punishment. © Reuters

SHAN YUXIAO and DENISE JIA, Caixin

On June 15, an 18-year-old Chinese fan of international soccer superstar Lionel Messi made global headlines by running onto the pitch during a match in Beijing to hug his hero. Videos showing him gleefully dodging the security guards in hot pursuit went viral on social media, and many praised his act as a liberating moment.

The teenager was later placed under "administrative detention" for six days and banned from entering any stadium to watch similar games for 12 months. The penalty was levied under China's Public Security Administration Punishments Law for disrupting large cultural and sports events.

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