(Ecns.cn)--Being a spokesman has become a risky job in China, especially since the Wenzhou high-speed train crash on July 24, which brought Wang Xuming into focus for his biting comments about counterpart Wang Yongping, the heavily criticized former spokesperson for the Ministry of Railways.
According to Xinhua News Agency, Wang Xuming has many titles, including publisher, TV anchor, blogger and writer. But he is mostly remembered for his role as "spokesman of the Ministry of Education (MOE)" from 2003 to 2008.
Controversial and high-profile
Perhaps the most controversial spokesperson for China's central government, Wang Xuming welcomed the spotlight and was not reluctant to express his opinions. This stirred public speculation that he was ousted from the post because he talked too much.
He admitted in an interview with the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald that he had invited "cappers" to his press conferences, a practice which also happens at foreign news briefings from time to time, he added.
Yet due to his candor and truthfulness, Wang Xuming won great favor with journalists who said he never replied with "No comment" and never read documents at press conferences.
"As a spokesman, he never dismissed journalists with perfunctory remarks or steered clear of crucial points. He had the courage to express his likes and dislikes, which made him different from many other officials who hide their real thoughts in order to make their remarks flawless," commented Xinhua News Agency, citing a report in the Yangtze Evening newspaper.
Though Wang Xuming now serves as president of the Language and Culture Press, a small state-owned publishing house, he admits that he still has a passion for being a spokesperson and pays close attention to related news.
