Photo by Xinhua
He Wenkai in front of his workplace, the local procuratorate
watch, which he claimed was bought for him by his wife. After netizens questioned the fact that He had two children – an apparent violation of China’s One Child Policy – He explained that his first child had been born during his first marriage, which ended in divorce. He told NewsChina that his wife opposes his proactive disclosures about his private life, not only because it threatens the couple’s privacy, but also since it may put them under pressure from other government officials. He acknowledges that being too vocal or critical may land him and his family in trouble, and that due to his position, he is technically under strict regulations concerning “state secrets.” He’s willingness to bend these rules has brought him both plaudits and criticism. “Indeed, those who condemn me do not target me in particular, but rather to express resentment towards anyone rich. They question the validity of my opinions not necessarily because they disagree with me, but more because of my role in the government system,” said He, who sometimes enters into public debate with his online detractors. He says this is a way to keep his Weibo account active and popular. Tan Baoxian, a friend of He’s, a government official from Fangchenggang Politics and Law Committee, told NewsChina: “He’s Weibo content is mostly related to his work, and often gives off ‘positive energy,’ which is a good thing. However, from another perspective, for He himself, increasing his public profile may land him in unfavorable situations.” NEWSCHINA I December 2014
Indeed, He as a procurator has witnessed the downfall of a number of local officials, many of whom were personal acquaintances. He recalled that in 2008, he prosecuted his close personal friend, former Public Security Bureau chief Kang Fushun, for taking bribes. Kang was eventually sentenced to 15 years in prison. “This is the dramatic side of my life,” commented He.
Straightforward
Chinese officials are famous for their silence and secrecy outside of work. He once wrote in March 2011, “Chinese officials cannot be straightforward, and cannot speak the truth as they wish. Most of the time, they are pretending. They certainly do not enjoy easy lives. They too need to earn a living and support their families.” The night after his interview with NewsChina, He Wenkai posted on his Weibo: “Scores of officials who used to be vocal on Weibo are now retreating from it. In most people’s eyes, public servants with Weibo accounts are those who really want to change something. However, such people are few in number, and even worse, they are becoming more and more cautious with their words. Eventually, they may be forced to remain silent.” He is unsure how long his straightforward personality could still survive on the boundary between officialdom and media – He worries that his Weibo could come back to haunt him one day. “I live my life waiting for that day,” He wrote in mid-August.
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