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Police scoured the Beijing Midi School of Music Wednesday night in a planned and unannounced crackdown on drugs, during which more than 10 students suspected of taking drugs were taken away by the police, Sina.com reported on Thursday.

Beijing police search school to crack down on drugs.[File photo]

Sina.com cited a screenshot of a netizen's Microblog (a social platform similar to Twitter) as saying that "Seven or eight police vehicles suddenly appeared on school campus. More than 300 students were ordered to take a drug test and quite a lot were taken away by the police."

Zhang Fan, headmaster and founder of the Beijing Midi School of Music, confirmed the news later in an interview with Ent.qq.com, saying that "A dozen students were taken away by the police. Most of the students are roommates, and there were only a few from other rooms."

Zhang explained that Midi has strict school rules."Dormitory administrators make a routine inspection of every room each night. Students must study and rest according to their schedules. Any bad habits, even smoking in the dormitory, will be punished," he said.

In Zhang Fan's view, 18-20 year old students actually take marijuana out of curiosity. "It's horrible that this marijuana event has happened, but we should give the children an opportunity to correct their mistake. We hope that they can return to school as soon as possible to continue their studies, because music is the best medicine," the headmaster said.

When asked about the latest situation of the students who had been taken away by the police, Zhang Fan said he had no inside information, but he stressed again that he hoped the students could return to school as soon as possible.

As for the question of whether or not the Midi Music Festival – an annual musical event created and supervised by the school – would be influenced by the drug-related event, Zhang said that "it should not be."

Also on Thursday, an official from the Beijing Haidian District Educational Committee confirmed the event, saying that a special investigation team has been organized to deal with related matters, Sina.com reported.

Official response to the event from the school

The Beijing Midi School of Music published a statement on its website Thursday afternoon, explaining the situation and making clear the school's position on it.

According to the statement, the police came to the school two times on Wednesday, and ordered the students to take drug tests and took away more than 10 students in two groups. At 10 o'clock Thursday morning, the school administrative office received a phone call from the police, informing that "In consideration of the fact that these students are first offenders, sincere in admitting their mistake, and in line with the principle of criticism and education, these students who have been taken away will be leniently punished and returned to school within a few days."

The statement repeated the school rules as described by Headmaster Zhang Fan, adding that the students and the headmaster have always kept a barrier-free communication in both daily life and study. "As for the incident, the Midi school administrators should bear full responsibility and sincerely apologize," the statement said.

The statement reaffirmed that the school would give the students an opportunity to correct their mistake, tolerating their first offence in line with criticism and education. As for the questions raised by the parents about their children's situation in the police station, the statement answered simply and clearly, saying "We are sorry for not taking good care of your children. It's our fault. All the children have worn warm clothes before leaving school. The Beijing police are courteous and honest in case dealings, so the children won't feel wronged."

"Yesterday, several media outlets asked whether this incident will have an impact on the annual Midi Music Festival, our answer is that the Midi Music Festival has always promoted a healthy lifestyle of saying no to drugs since it was first held. In the Audience Handbooks issued for each session of the festival are tips and suggestions about drug control," the statement said.

At the end of the statement, the school gave its gratitude for everyone's concern and inquiries. It reminded the students of the school motto, emphasizing that young people have a bright future, but they must work hard for it. "We are all expecting our students to return to school as soon as possible, learn their lesson and continue their studies, as music is the best medicine," said the statement.

More about the Midi school and the Midi festival

The Beijing Midi School of Music, registered with the Education Committee of Beijing's Haidian District, is the first school in China devoted to modern music. Upon the establishment of the school in 1993, its mission has been designated to promote an artistic and humanistic theory of modern music while offering students many classes of advanced musical techniques. So far, it has become one of the best privately-run music schools in China.

The Midi Music Festivals often described as a Chinese version of the Woodstock festival and usually features well-known Chinese rock musicians and bands, as well as a number of overseas performers. The festival is among China's largest rock music festivals and is hosted by the Beijing Midi School of Music. Since its inauguration in 1997, it has been held during the May holidays each year in three Chinese cities – Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen.

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