Today the group met early and we headed out on the bus to do some shopping on the famous Bejing Road.  This is a shopping area that has a bit of everything and is quite an experience.  From cameras to watches to pens, you can then progress to clothes of all types, major electronics, and just about anything you can think of....and at incredibly low prices. 

 

The only problem is that no one speaks much English and it is buyer beware at all times.  We picked up some more gifts and some things for us and in general had a great time doing the Chinese shopping thing once again.

 

Then a very strange thing happened to us.  As Debbie, Hanna, Debbie's mom and Neilson were walking out of a shop, a young Chinese man maybe in his early 20's ran right past us and turned to race across the street.  There was major construction going on in the street so he was delayed just enough for the 5 policeman chasing him to catch up! 

 

Leading the pack was apparently a shopkeeper or other merchant accusing the man of shoplifting.  I suppose it could have been a pickpocket as they are notorious in this part of town.

 

Anyway, we witnessed the Chinese example of swift justice as the man was hit with a stun gun and then pushed to the ground.  I cannot figure out why he kept fighting such a large group but he did and he paid dearly for it.  A Chinese jail and a severe headache is in his immediate future. 

 

One is quickly reminded that even though China is going through drastic changes and is becoming more lenient in some ways, it was very apparent why the crime rate is so low in this huge country.  Swift and severe justice is an ongoing deterrent to would be criminals. 

 

It was a bit hard to watch as this street drama played out in front of us but maybe there is a lesson here for our country and others that seem to coddle criminals and give them too many loop holes to crawl through. 

 

Anyway, we recovered and moved away quickly so as not to get included in any way.  After more shopping and sightseeing we returned to the hotel , had a simple dinner in our rooms and started packing for the long trip home.