The latest clash between chengguan, or urban management officers, and vendors happened in Shichahai, Beijing, on Thursday.

A father, surnamed Tian, was helping his 9-year-old daughter sell lamps on the street for the girl's summer break project, then got into a physical confrontation with several chengguan. Tian continued to sell the lamps illegally, despite the fact that he had reportedly been warned to stop selling products there the day before.

This reflects the confrontational mentality of some vendors when they face chengguan. The public often sides with vendors in these cases, which may cause more people to illegally keep stalls and refuse order requests from officers.

In the 1980s, local governments started encouraging the establishment of stalls on the street and supported the development of the street economy. However, most city management authorities have changed over time and have cracked down on stall keepers.

Grocery markets have been concentrated in certain designated places and regulating casual vendors has become one of the main duties of chengguan. Generally, chengguan take an uncompromising tough attitude against illegal practices by vendors.

Because chengguan represent the authorities, the public often sides with the vendors even when it was the vendors who acted recklessly, as the public sees them as the disadvantaged side. Chengguan, to some extent, have become scapegoat of the poor image of the government.

Violent law enforcement should be condemned and punished in accordance with the law. Chengguan need to make more effort to improve their image and conduct civilized law enforcement.

But the public should understand that chengguan are confronted with complicated conditions and universal resistance when carrying out their duties.

It is crucial that public opinion provides basic support for chengguan while condemning instances of improper enforcement, as this will shape the environment that chengguan are working in.

Some cities' demands for neat and tidy appearances have gone too far, and the public considers them to be "face projects." In fact, city management authorities should cater more to citizens' practical needs by relaxing control over main streets or sub-streets during the evening rather than imposing rigid management standards. This would not damage the cities' image but instead could spur vitality.

City management standards are sure to become stricter in the future, but the authorities should consider the needs of vendors.

The construction of the rule of law is a difficult process which involves balancing the interests of many groups. Simply choosing a side between vendors and chengguan is not a responsible attitude.