Recently, there have been reports concerning Lin Xiangdong, the Party Secretary and Director of the Cultural and Tourism Department of the Communist Party of China in Fujian Province. Rumors circulating online suggest that he was caught in an extramarital affair. His resume has been removed from the official website, and employees of the Fujian Province Cultural and Tourism Department have stated that “he is no longer with our unit”.
According to sources, during Jay Chou’s concert in Fuzhou, Director Lin reportedly provided tickets to a certain actress and planned to have a secret meeting with her at a hotel while her husband took their child to the performance. Unexpectedly, the actress’s husband followed her to the hotel, confronted them in the room, physically assaulted Director Lin, and then reported to the police that his wife was being assaulted. When the police discovered he was a director, the case was escalated to the Fuzhou City Bureau, then to the Provincial Public Security Department, and eventually reported to the Provincial Party Secretary.
The exposure of such scandalous behavior by a senior official in Fujian Province has drawn comparisons to the recent controversial incident at Sanfang Qixiang in Fuzhou. Netizens on social media platforms have raised concerns about the involvement of numerous government officials, including officials from various levels in Fujian Province and even personnel from Huawei, in the scandal. The dismissal of Lin Baojin, the Fuzhou City Party Secretary on May 6, has further raised suspicions regarding the connection to these events.
Sanfang Qixiang, situated in the old town of Fuzhou, is one of the few remaining clusters of ancient architectural heritage in the country, often referred to as the “Museum of Chinese Ming and Qing Dynasty Architecture”. With 270 existing ancient residential buildings, 159 of them are listed as protected structures, including notable buildings like the former residences of Shen Baozhen, Lin Juemin, and Yan Fu, recognized as key units under China’s cultural heritage protection.
This site, preserving China’s ancient architectural and cultural history, was mentioned in an article by Hong Kong’s Wen Wei Po in 2013, titled “Sanfang Qixiang in Fuzhou Turned Into a Corrupt and Debauched Area”. Allegedly, various departments at the provincial level in Fujian Province have established their own clubs within Sanfang Qixiang. It raises questions whether the eight clubs known as “Honglou” are affiliated with these units or operate on a private basis.
Netizens have commented on the situation, expressing concerns about the widespread presence of these “Honglou” establishments, illustrating a pattern of collusion between officials and businessmen, and indulging in corrupt and immoral activities beyond the imagination of ordinary citizens.
Amid the scandal surrounding the “Honglou” at Sanfang Qixiang, questions arise:
Firstly, if the exposed incidents involving a 14-year-old middle school girl as a prostitute are accurate, who facilitated their involvement? As these girls are minors, what crimes have these officials committed by engaging in such activities with minors?
Secondly, the involvement of Huawei employees raises questions about their roles and potential involvement in illicit transactions with officials.
Lastly, since Xi Jinping’s anti-corruption campaign took effect, targeting both high-ranking and low-level officials, numerous officials have been implicated in corruption scandals. Yet, the proliferation of corruption and debauchery among officials in this region raises concerns about the effectiveness of these efforts.
It appears that Chinese citizens, who have been shielded from such realities, are now facing the harsh consequences of a deteriorating economic environment, with rising unemployment rates and basic needs becoming pressing issues. Meanwhile, communist officials continue to lead lavish lifestyles filled with extravagance and debauchery. As the people come to understand the true nature of the party, how long can such a thoroughly corrupt regime continue to exist?