An employee of the urban management office in Sanya, Hainan province, has been removed from duty for abuse of power, according to a report on the People's Daily website on Thursday.

The employee, Guo Fengbin, tried to park a car in front of a hotel in Sanya on Tuesday but was stopped by the hotel’s security guards and told that the parking space was reserved for guests of the hotel.

Guo then ordered several officers of the urban management office who were standing nearby to fine several cars parked in front of the hotel without any valid reason, the local government said after an investigation.

Guo was removed for abuse of power and disciplinary violations, the government said.

wangxiaodong@chinadaily.com.cn