Head of an industrial park in Jiangsu Province has been fired after he was caught by angry residents hosting a lavish banquet for clients over investment issues, local government announced yesterday.

Zhang Aihua, Party secretary of the industrial zone, knelt on the table and kowtowed to the angry crowd.

Zhang Aihua, the Party secretary of Binjiang Industrial Zone in Jiangsu's Taizhou City was among dozens of people caught having expensive dishes and liquors last Friday.

In its statement announcing Zhang's dismissal, Taizhou government said the industrial zone didn't strictly follow the rules and posed negative influences.

Nearly 1,000 locals blocked the reception center, demanding an explanation, according to a report from China News Service.

Zhang, kowtowing to the crowd, knelt down and asked forgiveness.

Zhang said he begged the crowd because the dinner was in a prefab building and he was worried about safety. But he still accepted most of the responsibility, officials said.

Taizhou authorities said there were three tables at the banquet and Zhang sponsored two tables for businessmen from Hebei Province, while a local building materials company paid for a third.

Local officials also said Zhang spent 2,715 yuan (US$439) for each of the two tables, including 1,450 yuan for foods and 1,265 yuan of cigarettes and alcohol.

The investigators said guests were served high-end Chunghwa cigarettes, premium liquors produced by Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery, nearly extinctive Yangtze scabbard fish and Chinese globefish, which must be specially prepared because its organs have deadly toxins.

Related

• Lavish banquet busted by indignant residents

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)