IT HAS become a catchphrase for state irresponsibility and arrogance: “Sue me if you dare. My father is Li Gang.”
It is an expression that has spread like wildfire on the internet, highlighting a growing public outrage at the criminal indifference of some children of the privileged to the broader masses.
After driving his black Volkswagen Magotan into two rollerblading students, while drunk, outside Hebei University in the Beishi district, Li Qiming did not stop until intercepted by security guards and students on campus.
Mr Li then stepped out of the car and uttered the immortal phrase with no sign of remorse.
His father, Li Gang, is indeed deputy chief of the public security bureau in Baoding City, Hebei province, northern China. This position would usually guarantee immunity from broader consequences.
The story broke initially on local media, but soon the censor, fearful of wider social problems, put the lid on the news. However, Li Qiming’s comments have been widely publicised online and have provoked angry reactions from millions of Chinese citizens.
One of the two women struck by Mr Li’s car, Chen Xiaofeng, died after the incident. Her brother, Chen Lin, said in an interview carried on the Danwei website that Mr Li said it because he was showing off.
“It’s relying on the power of his family; he said it subconsciously. Lots of people are like this now. I think he’s using it as a kind of backup, I don’t think it was because he was afraid. It was just subconscious – ‘this is who my family is, you can’t do this and this to me’ ,” Mr Chen said.
The dead student’s father, Chen Guangqian, said he was sure the perpetrator had lots of connections within Baoding. “I am afraid,” he said in the interview.
On the Sina website, outraged postings have appeared. “No need to panic after any crime, as my father is Li Gang,” posted one commentator, part of a broader contest to come up with sentences containing the words “my father is Li Gang”. Another wrote: “I never pay my telephone bills. My father is Li Gang.”
The story has rattled cages, even among the Communist Party elite which realises it needs the support of the people to stay in power. The party has had to deal with numerous incidents where public dismay with party officials has caused social instability.
Wu Zhongmin, a professor at the party school of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, told the Xinhua news agency: “Like father like son. If the children of officials think that they are the privileged class, will future generations follow suit? . . . the question is where will China go from here.”
The story emerged on the same day as Wu Yuren, an artist who led a march towards Tiananmen Square last February, was brought to court over a scuffle with police. Supporters say the trial is revenge for his outspoken work.
