No let off for fame or fortune

James Harden, a basketball player for the Houston Rockets, who is in China on a promotional tour for a sportswear brand, was photographed being punished by the local traffic police in Shanghai because he rode an electric bicycle in an illegal way. China Daily writer Zhang Zhouxiang comments:

Details of the incident have not been officially released yet. However, according to some photos and reports posted online, Harden and his friends rode electric bicycles where it was forbidden to ride, and he had a woman sitting behind him. According to the law, it is illegal for anyone aged above 14 to be a pillion passenger.

That incident shows that everybody is equal when it comes to the law. No one, whatever his/her influence or social status, has any privilege.

Harden is a basketball star with millions of followers. When a famous person is punished for breaking the law, people will have more confidence in the law, because they know no one can easily escape the legal penalties for any wrongdoing.

On Saturday, Harden apologized via his official micro blog account for "violating the traffic regulations" and promised to abide by the rules next time. Many of his fans expressed their thanks and support for his apology.

The Shanghai police forwarded Harden's apology, stressing that the law is the law and must be followed. They also wished Harden good performances in the future. So the case has realized the best solution, with the law enforcers spreading the sense of rule of law among the public, and the star mending his public image via apology.