A couple kiss at a Shanghai subway station. [Photo/CFP]

A photo of a young couple having a passionate kiss on a subway in Shenyang, Liaoning province of Northeast China, has gone viral and invited a flood of criticism for the couple's behavior. Comments:

Overly intimate behavior in public should by no means be seen as a breakthrough for the so-called "moral revolution", because under the current social norms, it is natural for ordinary people to feel disgusted, rather than simply old-fashioned and conservative. To morally speak against or prohibit it through legislation reflects the attitude of the public toward such misconduct, which is to put it within the framework of social order and good morals. The problem is how to effectively implement such regulations.

China Youth Daily, July 21

People's disgust at the recent sex video shot in a fitting room or the passionate kiss on a subway is a natural reaction to defend basic ethics and social order in a civilized society. Some always try to justify occasional misconduct that challenge moral ethics and society's bottom lines with "individual rights", but these should still comply with public norms. The couple kissing passionately on the subway not only overlooked and offended the feelings of other passengers, but could also have set a negative example for minors.

Zhengzhou Evening News, July 21

For the moment many cities in China do not have relevant regulations to prohibit intimate behavior when using public transport. Whenever it occurs, bystanders can only condemn such misconduct in a moral sense instead of effectively calling a halt to it. The authorities should accelerate the introduction of a law and regulations against such passionate public displays of love.

Zynews.cn, July 20