Public scrutiny forces officials to behave

A deputy provincial governor in central China has met fierce criticism from netizens after pictures of him walking on a red carpet during a construction site inspection were posted on the Internet.

The idea of a high-ranking official behaving like a pop star, complete with expensive clothing and a large entourage, upset many Internet users.

The official would not have been embarrassed if the pictures hadn't been published, of course. But evading public scrutiny has become more and more difficult with the increasing popularity of the Internet.

In 2009, Zhou Jiugeng, a former real estate management official in east China's city of Nanjing, was sentenced to 11 years in jail for bribery following an investigation that resulted from photos published online showing him smoking cigarettes valued at 150 yuan (23.8 U.S. dollars) a pack.

Last month, Yang Dacai, a senior work safety official in north China's Shaanxi province, was sacked due to a corruption scandal exposed after photos online showing him wearing 11 expensive wristwatches on different occasions.

These cases indicate that the public is more conscious of its ability to supervise officials. A government work report delivered by Premier Wen Jiabao in March stated that people' s rights to stay informed about, participate in, express views on and oversee government affairs will be protected.

The report also said China will strengthen administrative and democratic oversight, resolutely investigate and prosecute violations of the law or discipline and severely punish corrupt officials

The Zhengzhou municipal government, which invested in the water project inspected by the deputy provincial governor, said it entrusted the ceremony for the project to a local advertising company, adding that the company laid the red carpet down.

Due to rising criticism from the public, the Zhengzhou municipal government apologized on Saturday for not correcting the advertising company's arrangements.

"We sincerely apologize to Internet users and members of the public," the government said.

Officials who feel at ease when walking on the red carpet should instead be on high alert. The conspicuous way they behave today may lead to embarrassment or even loss of their jobs tomorrow.