The local Party disciplinary commission of Changzhi in North China's Shanxi province recently issued a notice criticizing 24 high school teachers because they dined together and drank wine during the National Day holiday. The teachers split the bill, which was 1,390 yuan ($207) in total. Many people said online that the criticism was unwarranted, ce.cn comments:

It is quite rare for people to criticize the deeds of a discipline inspection commission. In most instances, the disciplinary commissions have been praised for punishing officials that have violated Party rules.

This time it is different, because the Changzhi city's disciplinary commission seems to have exceeded its powers.

It is the role of the disciplinary commissions to ensure Party members adhere to the Party's rules, which include not dining luxuriously using public money. However, the teachers' meal was far from luxurious because the cost was about 58 yuan per person, which is the price of an ordinary lunch meal. Besides, the restaurant confirmed that the teachers did not ask for any voucher for their dining, showing they paid the bill with their own money, not at the public's expense.

Therefore it is safe to conclude that the teachers involved have not violated Party discipline.

In its notice of criticism, the city's discipline inspection commission said they hoped to sound an alarm bell for all officials in the city. That is a good intention, but problem is, their deed exhibits excessive zeal.

If people dare not dine with colleagues that is not only ridiculous but also harmful to local economies because local restaurants won't be able to survive if no one dare eat in them.

The local disciplinary commission also noted that the teachers dined when people outside the school were still working though the school was on holiday. This is irrational, because the teachers should follow their own work calendar, not that of others.

That the local disciplinary commission is keen to do its duty is praiseworthy, but its criticism of the teachers went too far as they had done nothing wrong.

(China Daily 10/14/2016 page8)