China Digital Times has acquired a memo from the central propaganda department ordering Chinese media outlets to avoid ‘sensationalist’ reporting of state administration of work safety vice director Wang Dexue’s tears during his inspection of a collapsed highway in Henan province that left ten dead.
Central Propaganda Department: With regards to State Administration of Work Safety Vice Director Wang Dexue crying during his inspection of the collapse of the Lianluo Highway Yichang Bridge, do not sensationalize the story. (February 4, 2013)
中宣部：对国家安监局副局长王德学视察连霍高速义昌大桥垮塌事故现场时流泪一事，不炒作。
The collapse occurred on February 3 when a truck carrying fireworks exploded, causing an 80 metre stretch of the elevated highway to collapse, killing ten people and injuring 11 more.
The local government has stated that it will compensate victims and their families according to “Henan standard”, which differs according to hukou and could mean that those from rural areas could receive less than half the compensation of those with urban hukou.
According to China Digital Times:
Wang Dexue’s tears at the scene of the crash are assumed by many to be insincere. He has earned the nickname “New Watch Brother” (新表哥), after the Shaanxi official photographed grinning at the scene of a road accident last summer. “New Watch Brother” is already blocked from Sina Weibo search results.
