Breastfeeding cop hailed as a hero

Beijing: A Chinese policewoman who breastfed babies orphaned during May 12 earthquake has been given a better job.

Jiang Xiaojuan, 30, left her own baby with her parents and took part in the disaster relief work, breastfeeding nine babies, earning her the nickname of "the police mum" in the press.

She has since been awarded titles of "hero and model police officer" and "excellent member of the Communist Party", was appointed to the Communist Party of China Committee of the Jiangyou Public Security Bureau and became the bureau's vice commissar, Xinhua said.

The move prompted online protests that promotions should be awarded on merit, not merely for good deeds.

"They said an official position should not be used to promote a moral model," Xinhua said.