News

Chinese Official Sacked For Negligence, Video Game Addiction

A Chinese official has been sacked for negligence, video game addiction, and a litany of other offences, authorities said, after a woman barred entry to hospitals due to Covid-19 restrictions miscarried.

The Chinese official who is also the director of the medical emergency center in the historic city of Xi’an, was among officials reprimanded in January over the scandal, which sparked debate about the excesses of Beijing’s zero-Covid strategy.

Footage of the pregnant woman’s harrowing experience went viral on Chinese social media, leading to widespread public outrage.

The director has now been removed from his post, kicked out of the ruling Communist Party and placed under criminal investigation, the provincial party watchdog said in a Tuesday statement accusing him of negligence and corruption.

He “was seriously irresponsible, triggering several major incidents that sparked negative public opinion online and caused a bad social impact” during an outbreak in Xi’an last winter, the statement said.

It also alleged that the director had embezzled public funds, accepted bribes and had a “long-term addiction to smartphone games”.

The Chinese government sees video and mobile games as a source of moral corruption and has taken steps in recent years to limit younger players’ screen time and regulate undesirable content.

The director’s alleged illegal gains have been confiscated and he is now under criminal investigation, the statement said.

China is the last major economy committed to stamping out all domestic coronavirus infections, using a combination of mass testing, harsh lockdowns and travel curbs.

But public anger has grown in recent months over heavy-handed enforcement of restrictions, with multiple cases of people failing to receive medical treatment because they were denied entry to hospitals due to Covid rules.

The virus controls have also prompted rare protests including in the capital Beijing and Shanghai, where residents scuffled with hazmat-suited officials during a prolonged lockdown this spring.

Sources: AFP

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

Not Just Big Sales Anymore, Lazada Drops Daily Deals

Gone are the days when online shopping was just about big monthly sales and surprise… Read More

12 hours ago

Red Army Watches Malaysia & SEVENFRIDAY Celebrate Merdeka with a Limited-Edition Riley Bear in Batik

In celebration of Malaysia’s Independence Day and Malaysia Day 2025, Red Army Watches Malaysia is… Read More

14 hours ago

HABIB Celebrates Malaysia’s Heritage with Modern Sparkle This Merdeka

Malaysia’s homegrown jeweller, HABIB, returns with its iconic Jualan Merdeka campaign, running nationwide from now… Read More

14 hours ago

Sacoor Brothers Reimagines Luxury with New Flagship Boutique at Suria KLCC

Portuguese luxury fashion house Sacoor Brothers has unveiled its newly redesigned flagship boutique at Suria… Read More

14 hours ago

Casio x The Sandbox: G-SHOCK Is Now in the Metaverse

Brace yourself, your favorite tough-as-nails watch just got a futuristic makeover. Casio is teaming up… Read More

18 hours ago

Pandora’s “Colour Pop” Collection Is Serving Summer Energy in Every Sparkle

Looking to brighten up your style this summer? Pandora's latest “Colour Pop” collection is bringing… Read More

18 hours ago

This website uses cookies.