ZHENGZHOU: An official who became a celebrity¹ online for asking a reporter "Will you speak for the Party? Or will you speak for the people?" has been suspended from his post.

The particular phrasing of Lu Jun's question, suggesting the Party and 'the people' are distinct, is a big no-no.

The Communist Party of China (CPC) constitution states that the Party represents "the fundamental interests of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese people."

"The interests of the people and the Party are identical, but Lu put them in opposition," said Wu Zhongmin, professor of the Party School of the CPC Central Committee.

However, Internet users latched² onto the radio report, and nominated "Will you speak for the Party? Or will you speak for the people?" as the catchphrase of 2009. Some even nominated Lu as "the official who most dares to speak the truth in 2009."

Lu, urban planning development vice³ director of Zhengzhou city, Henan province, was being asked about a suspicious property scheme in Xigang village where a developer had permission to build affordable⁴ housing for low-income people. Instead, 12 villas⁵ and two mid-rise buildings were erected⁶.

China National Radio reporter Ren Leiping captured Lu's words when questioning him on the issue, and the report, broadcast by the radio station on June 17, quickly caused a stir online.

Internet users also claimed that Lu had Photoshopped Chinese President Hu Jintao's hairstyle onto his own profile picture posted on the Zhengzhou government website.

Yao Daixian, head of the Organization Department of the CPC Zhengzhou city committee, confirmed Lu was under investigation⁷ over the comments.

Yao added his bureau had investigated the property scheme and Lu's comments. He declined to elaborate.