Authorities use cheeky means to highlight safety online
Authorities in China are using a cheeky way to highlight safety issues to the public: hijacking viral content with sharp but humorous criticism.
The latest instance is when the fire department jumped in the middle of an online feud between KFC and McDonald's to warn the latter that it was in breach of fire safety standards, People's Daily reported.
McDonald's placed a banner in a mall near a KFC restaurant, letting shoppers know that their restaurant was closer than KFC. The photo went viral, and that's when the Fire Department of the Ministry of Public Security jumped in to steal the thunder.
"I don't care about the fight between you two," they said on their official Weibo account on April 18. "But Mr M (McDonald's), you are indeed closer to me so I can see clearly: It's illegal to place items under the rolling fire door! Correct it immediately!"
The post has since received more than 270,000 thumbs up from Chinese netizens who applauded the fire department for their quick response. "Good job! Humorous but impressive," one netizen commented.
But this is not the first time the fire department have highlighted fire safety in this way.
When Chinese gamers became obsessed with a free-roaming Japanese frog at the beginning of this year, the fire department chimed in to let the little frog know about his safety breaches.
"Frog, you are living in such a dangerous place," they posted while pointing out the safety problems in the game, such as combustibles placed on the bed and the use of open flames.
Police, too, have got in on the act, but they've placed their sights on Chinese celebrities.
When actress Wang Luodan's posted pictures to Weibo of her skateboarding on the road, Hunan police quickly came in to bring her back to earth, warning her that roller skates and skateboards are not allowed on public streets.
Actress Wang Luodan thought she was pretty cool skateboarding on the road, but police soon brought her back to earth.
Actor Wang Kai also became the target of police when he posted a selfie taken inside a car.
"Cherish life, don't use your mobile phone while driving," Chengdu police commented.
