Dang Kien Quoc, 34, from Ninh County, Khanh Duong City, Gansu Province, has always been attentive to his children's well-being. After the start of the 2023 school year, his elementary school-aged son brought home a school-issued uniform. Quoc noticed discrepancies between the fabric composition listed on the label and the actual quality of the material.
After unsuccessful attempts to address his quality concerns with the relevant parties, Quoc posted a video online on 1/12/2023. In the video, which garnered 149,000 views, he questioned the quality and safety of the uniform and asked, "Who is managing and overseeing the chaotic state of the school uniform market?". A few days later, the Ninh County Market Management Bureau sent Quoc a quality inspection report, which he disputed.
Quoc then posted a follow-up video titled "Problematic school uniforms have yet to be recalled," attracting 102,000 views.
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Dang Kien Quoc's son's elementary school uniform. Photo: Jimu News |
Dang Kien Quoc's son's elementary school uniform. Photo: Jimu News
On 8/12/2023, Trieu Xuan Garment Factory in Ninh County, the uniform's manufacturer, filed a complaint with the Ninh County Public Security Bureau. Citing canceled orders worth one million CNY after Quoc's videos, the factory accused him of disrupting public order and requested a criminal investigation or administrative penalties for spreading false rumors.
Seven-day detention: A "stain" on his life
After questioning Quoc, the Cybersecurity Team of the Ninh County Public Security Bureau issued an administrative penalty on 13/12/2023. Quoc was detained for seven days for disrupting public order.
Following his release, Quoc's appeals were unsuccessful. He then filed a lawsuit against the Ninh County government and the Ninh County Public Security Bureau with the Khanh Thanh County People's Court.
The Khanh Thanh County People's Court dismissed Quoc's lawsuit on 11/7/2024. The court's decision acknowledged that while the autumn uniforms were labeled 100% polyester, testing revealed 94.9% polyester and 5.1% spandex. Additionally, random testing of summer uniforms by the Khanh Duong City Quality Measurement and Testing Center revealed 31.8% cotton and 68.2% polyester, violating the national standard requiring at least 35% cotton in summer uniforms.
The court agreed that the uniforms produced by Trieu Xuan Garment Factory had quality issues and students' rights should be protected. While Quoc's actions to protect these rights were commendable, the court argued he should have pursued appropriate legal channels instead of posting videos online.
Dissatisfied, Quoc appealed to the Khanh Duong Intermediate People's Court. The court overturned the lower court's decision, ruling that the Ninh County Public Security Bureau's administrative penalty had violated procedural rules and lacked sufficient evidence. As the detention had already been served, the court didn't overturn it, but ordered the bureau to compensate Quoc 3,237.08 CNY (approximately 12 million VND).
Quoc explained that the detention led to job loss, divorce, and a diagnosis of depression. Facing suspicion from those around him, Quoc felt the detention remained a "stain" on his life, despite the second court's vindication.
Apology from the police
The case gained widespread attention after media coverage. Quoc appealed to the Gansu Provincial High People's Court, requesting the administrative penalty be revoked.
In August 2025, the Ninh County government announced a special task force to investigate the case fully. On 20/8, Quoc was admitted to the Khanh Duong People's Hospital's psychiatric ward, diagnosed with "severe depression with psychotic symptoms," and discharged on 1/9.
The following day, the Ninh County Public Security Bureau revoked the administrative penalty under the Administrative Penalty Law. A bureau leader apologized to Quoc, admitting their handling of the case was "inappropriate." Quoc accepted the apology and the compensation for his seven-day detention.
Liu Gia Luong, a law professor at East China Normal University, told China Newsweek that the revocation demonstrated a willingness to rectify errors and adhere to the Administrative Penalty Law, which grants citizens the right to appeal administrative penalties. Administrative agencies must carefully review decisions and proactively correct any errors.
Quoc shared that after one year and eight months, the "stain" had finally been removed. He now intends to focus on his health, find employment, and live a more positive life. He also stated that the uniform factory had damaged his reputation and mental health. He filed a civil lawsuit a few months prior, which the local court accepted, but no further progress has been made.
On 7/9, the Ninh County government stated that the case details would be publicly released after the investigation concludes. The disciplinary inspection committee will take action against those involved if any wrongdoing is found.
Tue Anh (Jimu News)
