Official's Racy Diary Entries Cause Uproar

(Caixin Online) The diary of a local tobacco official became a popular center of discussion on the web recently. It details a life of excess financed by bribes.

Han Feng

"September 20, Thursday, 19-32 degrees, sunny. Tan left in the morning and I got back. Tired. Came to office in the afternoon. Chen Zhang made a short visit, giving me 10,000, and Li gave 2,000 yuan."

This is an excerpt from an online post titled, "An interesting director, who writes about everything in his diary." In a few words, the diary's author – Han Feng, head of the sales division at the Tobacco Monopoly Administration of Guangxi – describes taking bribes and mentions one of his many mistresses. The posts are from diary entries covering events spanning September 2007 to January 2008.

The web post has generated more than 300,000 clicks since it was put online February 27. Han is currently under investigation and has been suspended from his position, according to China News Press.

Readers found themselves appalled by graphic renderings of an official's "simple life" – idle work hours interrupted only with bribe-taking and adultery. Questions about privacy protection were also raised as the post was distributed without permission.

(Translated by LX)