BEIJING: A man in southwest China doused himself with petrol and tied firecrackers around his waist because authorities cancelled his birthday banquet as a precaution against spreading the Covid-19 coronavirus. The Chongqing resident, a 59-year-old surnamed Wang, had planned to hold a banquet with 10 tables late last month, state news agency Xinhua reported on Wednesday. But with authorities across China restricting public gatherings to contain the outbreak, officials told Wang to cancel the party. After his party was cancelled, the Chongqing man showed up at a village committee office armed with firecrackers, which he tied around his waist, Xinhua said. He also poured gasoline on his chest and held out a lighter in an attempt to “scare and threaten the village committee into allowing the birthday party.”Local procurators filed charges of disorderly behaviour against Wang on Tuesday, Xinhua reported.

Source: New Strait Times February 12, 2020 09:33 UTC