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All the students at Luolang Elementary School, off a winding mountain road in south China, salute every passing can on their way to and from school. Education officials promoted the saluting edict to reduce traffic accidents and teach children courtesy. China’s electronic bulletin boards have been filled with critical comments. Only inept officials would burden children rather than install speed bumps, said some posts. In China, where only the party can eject local officials from office, bizarre local government 

Edicts have become a popular target on the Internet.

Hubei province

In April, officials told civil servants and staff of state-owned firms to buy 23,000 packs of the province’s brand of cigarettes every year. Those who failed would be fined. The idea was dropped after several weeks of ridicule.

Hanchuan provinc e

Officials tried boost the local brand of baijiu liquor. The ordered state workers to buy $300,000 worth in a year. Reporters calculated that each employee would have had to buy three bottles a day. The rule was rescinded.

Guizhou county

Every government office was last year ordered to organize trips to the ancient ruins of a village so that 5,000 visitors could be reported within two months. The order left many offices unattended and was repealed.

Sichuan province

A 2003 regulation barring male officials from hiring female secretaries may still be on the books. China Youth Daily reported that the official who initiated the regulation wanted “to ensure that work can be carried out”.

Feicheng party

The Feicheng party secretary, northeast China, imposed a fine of $73 on any farmer who cut down a corn stalk without a licence. After farmers complained they could not harvest their corn, he was fired.

Chongqing village

Officials forced unmarried women to pass a chastity test before receiving compensation for farmland acquired by the government. They argued only virgins deserved compensation. The rule was overturned in 2005.