Strong feelings about hurt feelings

The public is resisting an expansion of the government’s policing power.

The outcry against proposed changes to the Public Security Administration Punishments Law (PSAPL) prompted the legislature's Legislative Work Committee to issue a rare statement on Monday, saying (we're paraphrasing) (NPC):

• We're all ears. Please log your feedback on our public comment channel before September 30.

What’s the big fuss?

• Nicknamed the "mini criminal law," the PSAPL authorizes the police to issue administrative penalties for a wide range of small offenses.

New draft revisions to the law expand the scope of punishable offenses and increase penalties for such offenses.

One newly added offense targets free speech:

• “Producing, disseminating and publicizing items or remarks that are detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese nation or hurt the feelings of the Chinese nation."

Another goes after what one can wear:

• "Wearing clothing or bearing symbols in public that are detrimental to the spirit of the Chinese people or hurt the feelings of the Chinese nation."

Worst case scenario: Commenting negatively about China could land you in a detention center for up to 15 days.

Get smart: We expect the public backlash will make the legislature tone down some changes.

• But we don't think the revision will be scratched completely given the strongly nationalist political atmosphere.

Get smarter: If the PSAPL passes as drafted, foreign firms will have to tread ever more lightly.