Old Lanzhou man becomes road vigilante

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From the recently discovered China News Wrap:

Thhe Xinhua News Agency has a headline news story about Yan Zheng-ping, a 74-year old retired literature teacher from Qilihe district in Lanzhou, who personally “declared war” against unsafe drivers who drive through red lights, and has vandalized 30 cars using a brick.

According to the news story, originally published by the “Beijing Times” (”新景报”) although Yan Zheng-ping admits that his actions are illegal, he has no regrets about what he has done.

“Within a two hour period on the evening of 9 July, Lanzhou septagenarian Yan Zheng-ping used a brick to vandalize 14 vehicles that drove through the red lights on a pedestrian crossing close to his residence, attracting widespread public attention and discussion.”

“Some people have praised his conduct, believing that drivers who cross red lights are playing games with people’s lives and should be taught a lesson. Other people oppose his excessive conduct, believing that smashing cars is illegal behaviour, and should not be encouraged.”

“Yesterday, the author of the news story interviewed Yan Zheng-ping by phone about the car-smashing incidents.”

“According to the ‘Lanzhou Morning Post’, yesterday, a team of traffic police in Lanzhou’s Qilihe district expanded supervision of cars that do not allow pedestrians to walk across zebra crossings in the area. Almost no vehicles drove through red lights on zebra crossings.”

“On the evening of 9 July, after using a brick to smash 14 vehicles that passed through red lights at the gate to his compound, the 74 year-old and his brick-wielding hand became a widespread topic of discussion.”

“He is a resident of the Jingangcheng compound in Lanzhou’s Qilihe district, who has had ‘experiences on multiple occasions where I’ve almost been killed by a car while on a zebra crossing’, which gave him the idea of attacking vehicles, and using these extreme measures to express his dissatisfaction with the disregard of drivers for the lives of pedestrians.”

“Yan Zheng-ping admits that smashing cars is illegal behaviour, but he makes the counter-question ‘are there any other methods available to me?’”

“This retired literature teacher is usually scholarly and refined in his bearing, and is fond of literature and photography. His smashing of cars on that evening has led people to refer to him as either an ‘elderly hero’, or someone who ‘blindly causes disturbance.’”

The Beijing Times, a newspaper based in Beijing, also had an interview with the mad old man:

Beijing Times:

“When did you first have the idea to go around smashing cars?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I’ve had it for a long time. I’ve been retired for over ten years now, and have always enjoyed photography, as well as regular bike rides through the countryside. During the past few years, vehicles have become more and more numerous in the area, and more and more indifferent to common courtesy.”

“I no longer dare to ride my bicycle, but I still like to exercise outside, and every day go to the Baihe Park opposite the compound to fly kites and walk. However, on several occasions I’ve almost been struck dead by cars while walking across the zebra crossing. There’s a red light there, but it seems as though the drivers just don’t see it.”

“Not just in my area, but at many interactions in the city, if you don’t want to die, you have to wait twenty or thirty minutes before crossing a main road. Cars just won’t let you cross.”

Beijing Times:

“Was there any one incident that served as the direct fuse for you to start smashing cars?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“On 7 July, a newspaper said that during the past 6 months, 6 people had been killed by cars on Lanzhou’s zebra crossings. I just thought, this can’t go on any more, and decided to smash cars in front of my compouind.”

Beijing Times:

“On that evening, if you had seen any cars crossing the red lights which bore special number plates, would you have still smashed them.”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I would have. When I began to smash cars, my only concern was whether or not they run through red lights.”

Beijing Times:

“Did anyone ever alight from their vehicle to confront you?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“Two drivers argued with me. I said that their cars should have stopped to allow people to pass on the zebra crossing, and that when you see pedestrians you should slow down, or even stop the vehicle. These are generally-accepted standards of civilized conduct, don’t you understand?”

“However, I have discovered that when drivers of small cars encounter surveillance cameras, or crossings where large trucks pass, they become more honest. They fear fines, they fear that other cars will run into them, and they know how to consider their own lives precious. Why, however, can’t they consider the lives of others important?”

“That evening when I smashed cars, one vehicle rushed behind me wildly, scrapping my body. I turned around and wanted to throw the brick at it, but I couldn’t raise my arm as it had been injured.”

Beijing Times:

“Some people have said that you can report these illegal drivers, and do not need to take risks like this. Have you considered standing by the roadside, and taking photos of cars that cross red lights to submit to the police?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I’m an elderly person, and for the past two years have rarely taken photos. I also lack the time and energy to spend all day there guarding the road. Also, even if I take some photos, give them to the police, and they fine the drivers, this won’t have much of an effect. Yet the next time they drive their cars by here, they might not want to rush too quickly again.”

Beijing Times:

“What kind of effect to you want to have?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I want all of society to take this problem serious, and reduce the number of people who die on zebra crossings. In particular, elderly people like myself, who cross zebra crossings very courteously, yet who can never know when disaster will strike unexpectedly.”

“You look – the 6 people who died on zebra crossings in Lanzhou in the past half year didn’t make major news. Yet when I smash cars, it becomes huge news. Is this because the lives of those six people are not as significant as me smashing cars?”

Beijing Times:

“Some people have criticized you, while others support you. A internet survey reveals that 78% have voted in support of you. What is your opinion of this?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“This is not my personal problem, but is a problem for my area and for Lanzhou city, as well a problem that is common throughout China. I feel that many people have had similar experiences, and everyone should stand up to protect their rights.”

Beijing Times:

“But for an elderly gentleman like yourself to stand on the street hitting cars, in order to prevent people from crossing red lights, some people feel is a problem of law and order. What are your feelings?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“This is a case of a ’small affair but a large problem.’ The police want to deal with the problem, but they are unable to do so. By the second day that I was smashing cars, they sent many police to go on duty. I stood by the side and discovered that you only need the police officer to be inattentive for a moment in order for cars that are can do so to rush through red lights.”

“So, this isn’t a simple matter you can blame on the police.”

Beijing Times:

“Some drivers say, however, that some people do not look at the traffic lights when they cross the road, or do not walk along zebra crossings.”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“This situation indeed exists. Traffic safety isn’t just the responsibility of vehicles, but something everyone must pay attention to. With regard to myself, I have never violated traffic laws, I have always crossed the road properly, and am very careful about this.”

Beijing Times:

“Does your family support you smashing cars?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“No. My son and daughter have encouraged me to stop, and fear that I will be hit by a car, or that someone will retaliate against me. I have seen a newspaper say that they will install a camera at my intersection. That would be good. I originally decided to smash cars for a week, now I will take it easy.”

Beijing Times:

“Some people have said that for you to go round smashing cars is illegal. What are your views on this?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I admit that I have broken the law. After this incident occured, friends and relatives, as well as some of my students, called me on the phone. Some friends said to me that I am using ‘illegal behaviour to eliminate illegal behaviour.’ I think this is extremely well put.”

“However, if I hadn’t been this extreme, how could I have created this large an effect. I have no regrets – I was forced to do what I did.”

Beijing Times:

“Would you encourage your own students to smash cars, to teach a lesson to cars that run through red lights?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“No. I am unwilling to see any of my students incur trouble, and I do not encourage others to smash cars. My personal conduct is like that saying – one person will be responsible for his own actions. Other people have no need to follow me.”

Beijing Times:

“Have you considered the possibility that the police could arrest you?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I have considered it, but being arrested is not the problem I am concerned about most. My main aim is to create an effect, to ensure that all of society realizes that zebra crossings are important to keeping lives safe. I want to find a legal consultant to advise me about certain problems. I smash cars, but I also respect the law.”

Beijing Times:

“Of cars that you have smashed, have any owners approached you demanding compensation?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“Yes. I heard a neighbour say that a young fellow came looking for me, saying that I had smashed his car that evening, and that he wanted to make me compensate him.”

Beijing Times:

“Would you compensate him?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I would first ask the media to come to the scene, and we would present our case before them, to see who in fact bears responsibility.”

“I want to say to people whose cars I’ve smashed – please forgive my bitter heart. I bear no animosity, but my hand has been forced by circumstance. I also want to ask the whole of society to realize that traffic safety is important, to respect life, and not cross red lights.”

Beijing Times:

“Do you feel now that your objective in smashing cars has been fulfilled? In future, if you see a car crossing a red light, will you smash it?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“It should be said that I have achieved my initial goal. For the media to report this, to have produced this much of a reaction, is sure to have some effect. However, will crossing be safe in future? This is difficult to say. Whether or not I will smash cars again – this is also hard to predict.”

Beijing Times:

“What kind of person do you consider yourself?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I was a literature teacher for over 30 yeras. I like to read books and write, and write about my experiences as a teenager fleeing from my home in Shanxi province to Lanzhou. This is one side of me. The other side of me, is that I like to strike against injustice.”

Beijing Times:

“Have you previously struck against any other forms of injustice?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“Every day, the reason I cross the main road is to go to Baihe Park to enjoy myself. This park is an open park built by the district government, yet several years ago it was leased to some fun park to operate.”

“I wrote a letter to the government saying that the park was built using the money of ordinary citizens, and cannot be leased to private persons just to make a little rent money, which prevents average citizens from being able to enjoy it.”

Beijing Times:

“Were your efforts effective?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“Slightly effective. The year before last the lease on the park concluded, and I have heard that the government is unwilling to continue the lease, and that it will become a public place again.”

Beijing Times:

“Prior to this, in reports on your car-smashing you employed a pseudonym. Are you concerned that your true name has been revealed to the public?”

Yan Zheng-ping:

“I don’t really care. My name is Yan Zheng-ping, ‘zheng’ as in ‘zheng fu’ (government), ‘ping’ as in ‘ping an’ (peace).”

This slightly mad old gent does have a valiant mission, but he could take his message to drivers without rushing their cars with bricks, perhaps by bring the lollypop man to China, or any other sane method. He is very lucky that Chinese are very respectful of old people, otherwise he would have ended up in the trunk of one of the Audi’s he attacked very early.