Official Fired Over One-Note Book Scandal

A provincial official was sacked after his suspiciously repetitive book drew unwanted attention and accusations of bribery from the public. He Dian, Party secretary and director of the Jilin Province public security bureau, sparked outrage after social media users learned his book, Peace Mantra, which retails for 299 yuan (US$42), repeats the same sentence pattern – “cats safe and sound,” “dogs safe and sound” - ad nauseam for over 300 pages. Netizens were further enraged upon discovering that local media and academics had enthusiastically promoted the book, and that local authorities even organized a forum and invited academics to comment on it. Netizens suggested the book was a front for bribery and corrupt practices. Under public pressure, local authorities removed He from his post.