Local prosecutor rises to netizen challenge, posts detailed income statement online

A local official in South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region recently accepted an online challenge offering a significant cash award to any division-level and above officials in China who are not corrupt, by publishing the details of his income online.

"I need money and am interested in the 200,000 yuan reward ($32,626). Someone please investigate me and help me get the award," He Wenkai, a deputy chief prosecutor with the People's Procuratorate of Fangchenggang in Guangxi, posted on his verified Tencent Weibo on July 15.

His response came after a Net user named Beibeixiangfei claimed that it has been widely spreading online that well-known TV host Liang Wendao is willing to offer 200,000 yuan instantly as a reward for any division-level and above officials who can prove that they never received bribes or had extramarital affairs.

There has been no confirmation whether Liang has made such an offer.

He Wenkai told the Global Times on Thursday that he wanted to challenge the post and hit back at Beibeixiangfei who was "uglifying civil servants" and "defaming the Chinese government."

By openly stating that he fully supports the disclosure of officials' assets, He also publicized his assets, including his and his wife's monthly salaries, their bank savings, two apartments and two cars on August 3, on his Tencent Weibo account.

He's high-profile response aroused public attention and triggered heated discussion.

Many people supported He, saying he was an upright prosecutor devoted to upholding the law. "He is setting an example by making power transparent," said Liu Jiahui, a lawyer at the Beijing Derun Law Firm on her Tencent Weibo. However, some still questioned the authenticity of He's post.

He denied these claims, saying he had no income besides his government salary.

"Strictly, I was not completely honest and upright. I was required to self-criticize before for taking gifts and using government vehicles for private purposes," He said.

"The government should hold a zero-tolerance attitude on any corruption," he added.