Two video clips showing foreigners abusing pandemic control staff in Xi'an, which is seeing a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, have gone viral.

In the first clip, the foreigner is seen spitting on the ground and calling the pandemic control staff in the Shaanxi provincial capital "mentally ill". In the second, another foreigner is seen showing the middle finger to the pandemic control staff.

In a third video which emerged on Monday, the first expat is seen apologizing for his behavior, saying he had limited knowledge of the Chinese language.

But why should a foreigner with limited knowledge of Chinese be abusive?

The second foreigner teaches at the local Kang Chiao International School, which issued a statement on Saturday night saying that, although the expat had behavioral issues, they had decided to sack him because he was disrespectful to China and the Chinese people.

But why did the school hire such a person in the first place, or continue to retain him even after coming to know he had behavioral issues. After all, such a teacher can have a negative influence on young minds.

Besides, why would anyone behave rudely with people who are working to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus? Chinese medical and other health workers have been struggling for almost two full years to contain COVID-19, and the least they deserve for their efforts is a "thank you".

Both of the expats have breached Chinese law. To verbally attack or show the middle finger to someone is illegal in China. The foreigners should be penalized for their action.

Even though the first expat has apologized, the Xi'an police said they are investigating the incident. We hope the police will defend the law.