In just three days, two separate incidents of fake bomb threats impacted 16 Chinese flights. These threats happened last Wednesday and Friday, creating an embarrassing world record in the history of world airlines.

Thanks to the rapid response of Chinese law enforcement, the investigations were quickly wound up with the arrest of the suspects. But this could not prevent the losses to the airlines, nor the fear and inconvenience this caused for passengers and the general public. The losses that were incurred by the delays to outbound flights and returns of inbound flights could range from more than 100,000 yuan ($16,200) per flight to 1 million yuan.

However, these economic losses are not the most serious issue. There is the possibility that these fake threats might provoke copycat threats, which could snowball and have massive impacts on the airline industry and national security.

From the perspective of Chinese law enforcement and legislators, it should be noted that no matter why these threats were raised, the adverse impact they have caused is way beyond what the rumor-mongers would have expected.

Therefore, the current law which has been blamed for being too lenient to these trouble-makers needs to be reconsidered. Thus far, the most serious bomb threats have only warranted a four-year sentence. This, coupled with a fine of just 500 yuan to 2,000 yuan is not enough.

In Western countries, such as the US, fake bomb threats can incur tremendous fines and jail term of 20 years. In Canada, the punishment for such threats includes a life sentence.

To some extent, bomb threats are an extreme case where the cost of an individual's actions has to be paid for by the whole community. Similar cases, which can dramatically endanger public security, can be found everywhere in China, such as drunk driving and stealing manhole covers.

Experiences and lessons can be used to crack down on threats to public security. Actually, since 2011 when the Eighth Amendment to Criminal Law officially included drunk driving as crime and ordered zero-tolerance punishments, drunk driving has been efficiently curbed. Most importantly, awareness of zero tolerance for drunk driving has been successfully embedded in people's minds.

The same strategy can be used again. On the one hand, tougher and stricter laws or regulations should be given immediate consideration. On the other hand, publicity campaigns and education should be strengthened so that they can play a significant role in enhancing the public's awareness of the consequences of violating these laws. The two-pronged strategy, if well implemented, is bound to have a positive effect.