An official investigation has revealed the rank of a deputy department head involved in a parking space dispute. The dispute, which required six rounds of mediation, has been detailed in a report.

According to a statement released by a joint investigation team on July 11th, a dispute arose after a Changsha Sports Bureau official surnamed Peng occupied another person's parking space. The Changsha municipal government attached great importance to the incident and established a joint investigation team comprising disciplinary inspection, public security, sports, and local street department officials.

Details Regarding Peng

The official, Peng, is a woman born in August 1995. Her registered residence is in Wangcheng District, Changsha, and she rents a property in Kaifu District. Her career history shows she served as a staff member in Ningxiang County's Jinghuapu Township Government from September 2017 to June 2019, and as a first-level staff member there from June 2019 to April 2023. She entered the Changsha Sports Bureau through an open selection process in April 2023, serving as a first-level staff member in the Industrial Department until April 2024. From April to September 2024, she served as a fourth-level principal staff member, and from September 2024 to the present, she has held the position of Deputy Director of the Industrial Department, which is a deputy position at the township-section level. The review concluded that Peng's selection and appointment procedures were standard, her qualifications met relevant regulations, and there was no evidence of improper promotion. Both of Peng's parents are ordinary laid-off workers from Changsha enterprises.

Chronology of the Dispute

On June 30th at 9:40 PM, Peng drove her red Honda into the underground parking lot. At 9:45 PM, she parked in a space belonging to a resident named Min and then returned home. At 3:00 AM on July 1st, Min returned to find his space occupied with no contact number left on the vehicle. Min parked his SUV in front of the space, blocking Peng's car, and left the scene after contacting the property management, stating he could move his vehicle before 4:00 AM. The property management found the car was registered as a temporary vehicle with an incorrect phone number. They sought help via the 12123 hotline, leading to traffic police sending a text message to Peng to move her car. By around 4:00 AM, Peng had not come down to move the vehicle nor responded.

At about 9:00 AM on July 1st, Peng saw the text message and went downstairs, finding her car blocked. She called the property management, who provided the contact details for Min and his wife, Duan. Peng called both but received no answer. She then sent an apology text to Duan, stating she had to travel out of town and would not return to Changsha until the day after tomorrow. Around 2:00 PM, the property management received a message from Min saying his vehicle had been moved at 11:00 AM and urging the other party to move their car quickly. The property management contacted Peng, informing her Min's car was gone and she should move hers. Peng stated she was at her workplace and had to go on a business trip, returning only the day after tomorrow, and could not move the car. At 4:00 PM, the property management notified Peng again, to which she responded she was on a business trip and would return the next afternoon (she was actually at work).

At around 6:00 PM on July 1st, Min returned to find Peng's car still there. He again parked his SUV in front of the space, blocking the car, contacted the property management, stated he would consider moving his vehicle only after a face-to-face apology from Peng, and requested they lock Peng's car. Around 7:00 PM, the property management contacted Peng, warning the car would be locked if not moved and offering to accompany her to negotiate with Min. Peng claimed she was on a business trip out of town (she was actually resting at home).

At 9:47 PM on July 1st, Peng contacted her boyfriend, Lei (born August 1994, an employee of the Changsha Sports Training and Competition Management Center). Lei drove to the community and parked his car in front of Min's vehicle. At 9:58 PM, Peng called the police. After officers arrived and notified Min, an argument ensued between the parties. Mediated by the police, Peng offered a face-to-face apology and handed her car keys to the property management. The police asked Min to move his car, but Min claimed his wife had taken the keys out of town, making it impossible to move (it was later verified his wife was at their own store at the time). The police then referred the dispute to the community for handling.

At 10:17 AM on July 2nd, as her car was still blocked, Peng called the police again. Officers contacted Min and the property management to come to the scene. As Peng was at work and not present, Min refused to move his car, stating he would block the vehicle for seven days. At 2:00 PM on July 2nd, Min installed a concrete post in his parking space. At 8:00 PM on July 3rd, he added a U-shaped pipe, further blocking Peng's vehicle.

Mediation Attempts

First Mediation: At 3:00 PM on July 2nd, Donghua Community and the property management organized mediation. Peng was not present; her parents apologized to Min on her behalf. Min stated he did not accept this and demanded that Peng and her boyfriend Lei apologize to him in person. This mediation was unsuccessful.

Second Mediation: At 4:00 PM on July 3rd, Xiufeng Police Station and Donghua Community organized another session. Only Peng's parents attended. Police contacted Min by phone, but Min refused to attend, citing busy work at his store, and said he would only be available for mediation on July 8th.

Third Mediation: At 11:00 AM on July 6th, Peng expressed to Xiufeng Police Station her hope for prompt mediation. During communication with Min, Min indicated he wanted to first present his situation and demands unilaterally. Around 7:00 PM that evening, Xiufeng Police Station, Donghua Community, and the property management met with Min. Min expressed willingness to coordinate with Peng but insisted that both Peng and her boyfriend Lei be present.

Fourth Mediation: Around 3:00 PM on July 7th, Xiufeng Street Office, the Peace and Legal Affairs Office, the police station, the judicial office, Donghua Community, and the Municipal Sports Bureau organized mediation. Peng again offered a verbal face-to-face apology to Min. As Peng's boyfriend Lei was not present, Min stated he was unwilling to accept mediation. Around 7:00 PM that night, after persuasion from multiple parties, Min agreed to first remove the U-shaped pipe to let the red Honda leave the space. Simultaneously, Min demanded that Peng subsequently apologize in written and video-recorded forms and that her boyfriend Lei pay 50,000 RMB in compensation to be donated to the disaster area in Guangxi.

Fifth Mediation: At 4:00 PM on July 8th, the Changsha Sports Bureau, Kaifu Public Security Bureau, and Xiufeng Street Office led the organization of mediation. By 2:00 AM on July 9th, the two sides had still not reached an agreement.

Sixth Mediation: At 4:00 PM on July 10th, the Changsha Sports Bureau and relevant local responsible persons separately organized mediation with both parties. By 6:00 PM, a settlement was reached. Peng apologized to Min in person and in writing and provided compensation.

Disciplinary Outcome

Based on the investigation findings, on July 11th, the Changsha Sports Bureau decided to suspend Peng from her duties. The disciplinary inspection and supervision authorities have initiated verification and handling procedures regarding Peng's related issues. Moving forward, the Changsha Sports Bureau stated it would take this as a serious warning and lesson, strengthen education and management of its cadre team, and expressed gratitude for the supervision and assistance from all sectors of society and the news media.