Cadres warned over media stunts aimed at cultivating humble image

Rarely a week goes by without local officials "accidentally" making the news when they're discovered taking public transport or dining at humble eateries, usually during excursions to meet members of the public.

But state media have put these cadres on notice, warning that such stunts cross the line into self-promotion.

"The aim of government leaders orchestrating scenes in which they are met by ordinary citizens is nothing but [an attempt] to seek publicity and show that they are low-profile, practical and frugal," People's Daily said in a commentary yesterday. "They want to be seen as officials who don't live an extravagant life."

Media reports often portray the run-ins with officials as chance encounters. In December, television in Henan carried an item about the party boss of Zhengzhou taking the subway. Reporters said they were conducting an interview for another story when they happened to come across the official.

In January, the Legal Evening News published an item about journalists running into Fu Zhenghua, the director of the Beijing Public Security Bureau, late in the evening as he strolled through the Wangfujing shopping area.

It's understandable that officials would like to feature in news reports about their spartan lifestyles.