Recently, two controversial incidents in Henan Province have sparked attention. One incident took place in Anyang, Henan, where local authorities issued a notice prohibiting people from setting off fireworks and firecrackers, with violators facing detention, fines, and the cancellation of elderly subsidies. The other incident occurred in Xinyang, Henan, where the local health department demanded that hair salons pay for air quality testing or face difficulties leading to closure.
Residents from the Huatong Century City community in Huaxian County, Anyang City, Henan Province, reported on social media that property management personnel in the community issued a notice stating that setting off fireworks and firecrackers would result in the cancellation of elderly subsidies, pensions, and medical insurance, and required a ten-house joint guarantee and mutual signing, sparking concern.
Screenshots of online chats showed that personnel named “Huatong Property” in a group chat called “Huatong Owners Group B Area” issued a notice stating that, according to government requirements, fireworks and firecrackers were strictly prohibited in all areas of the village from now until the 16th day of the first lunar month.
The notice claimed that if violations were found, public officials would be dealt with severely, and party members would face disciplinary actions. While it did not specify how public officials setting off fireworks would be handled, it clearly stated that ordinary people setting off fireworks would face detention, fines, and the cancellation of elderly subsidies, pensions, and medical insurance for all family members.
The notice also required a ten-house joint guarantee based on the principle of proximity, with all party members conducting door-to-door inspections near their residences and emphasizing that villagers should “supervise each other.”
Local residents expressed their confusion to “Jinan Daily” regarding the bundling of setting off fireworks with elderly and pension subsidies, with one resident questioning the responsibility of being held accountable for a neighbor’s actions just because they live nearby.
In another incident prior to the release of the aforementioned notice on December 5, 2024, the government of Huaxian County, Anyang City, Henan Province, issued a “Notice by the Huaxian County Government on Banning the Sale of Fireworks and Firecrackers” (No. 2), which outlined penalties for unauthorized fireworks display.
In response to the above information, Jiemu News commented that linking setting off fireworks and firecrackers with pension subsidies and imposing mutual guarantees among property owners is absurd and illegal.
On the same day, January 22, another incident in Henan sparked public attention and discussion.
According to NetEase News, Mr. Li from Huaibin County, Xinyang City, Henan Province (a pseudonym), who had been operating a hair salon in cities like Shanghai and Jiangsu for over a decade, returned to his hometown recently and reopened his hair salon business.
Shortly after Li reopened his business, several individuals claiming to be from the Huaibin County Health Bureau visited his salon, first to inspect his business license and later to check the air quality testing report for the salon.
Initially, Li did not have the required air quality testing report, leading to frequent visits and troubles caused by enforcement officers from the health bureau. In the end, Li had to pay 400 yuan to resolve the issue, after which the health bureau staff stopped bothering him.
Li explained that enforcement officers would initially notify him in uniform before conducting inspections a few days later. If the testing was not completed, they would continue to harass him, impose fines, and even prohibit him from operating his business until the required testing was completed.
Many online users criticized the situation, expressing disbelief at the actions taken by the authorities and questioning the necessity and motives behind such strict enforcement measures.
The incident involving the hair salon in Xinyang, Henan, being required to conduct air quality testing is not an isolated case.
In October last year, a hair salon in Cangzhou, Hebei, was fined 1,000 yuan by urban management officers due to an expired air quality testing report. The incident sparked discussions online, with many netizens questioning the excessive measures and financial motivations behind such enforcement actions.
As issues like these continue to arise across various regions, it raises concerns about the mechanisms and motives behind such enforcement initiatives.