US PRESIDENT Bill Clinton's televised confession last week to an 'inappropriate' relationship with Monica Lewinsky had many on the mainland bemused.
Many drew parallels between Mr Clinton's situation and that of jailed former Beijing Communist Party secretary - and alleged womaniser - Chen Xitong. Chen was recently sentenced to 16 years' jail for corruption and dereliction of duty.
In a televised court hearing in which his appeal was dismissed on Thursday, Chen's manner was defiant. He said the courts could do what they liked; he didn't care.
This contrasted with Mr Clinton's apologetic television address - which nevertheless prompted talk in the US that he had not been sufficiently contrite.
Mainlanders said it was not uncommon for politicians in China to have several mistresses, and this was not considered a political issue.
One middle-aged man said Chen had had a mistress.