A Bump in China’s Long March to Liberty
The Economist.com reports on a blow to Beijing’s night owls, bohemians, and landlords:
“Landlords and estate agents in Beijing are bristling over new police rules that forbid them from letting to tenants who lead ‘irregular lifestyles.’ The state-run China Daily reported on September 7th that the regulations affect not just would-be residents who lack legal identity documents or engage in illegal activities, but also those who ‘keep unsociable hours.’ The newspaper quoted a police official as saying the rules would improve the administration of the leasing market, safeguard public security and maintain social order.”