China cop promoted for breastfeeding quake babies
22 Jun 2008, 2343 hrs IST,REUTERS
BEIJING: A Chinese policewoman who breastfed babies orphaned during last month's earthquake has been given a better job, prompting online protests that promotions should be awarded on merit, not merely for good deeds.
Jiang Xiaojuan, 30, left her own baby with her parents and took part in the disaster relief work, breastfeeding nine babies, earning her the nickname of "the police mum" in the press.
She has since been awarded titles of "hero and model police officer" and "excellent member of the Communist Party", was appointed to the Communist Party of China committee of the Jiangyou public security bureau and became the bureau's vice commissar.
"Many people voiced objections when the Jiangyou government sought public opinion after making the promotion," Xinhua said. "They said an official position should not be used to promote a moral model." There were also supporters of Jiang's promotion, saying that what she did showed she was a good public servant.
