‘House Sister’ in China Whereabouts Unknown

‘House Sister’ in China Whereabouts Unknown:

Prices for new homes in Beijing and other cities in China have been skyrocketing. Apartments in buildings like this one, photographed in June 2011, sold for 300,000 yuan (46,000 USD) per square meter. (STR/AFP/Getty Images)

A Chinese Communist Party official in Shaanxi Province, recently exposed as the owner of more than 20 properties in a handful of cities, is nowhere to be found.

Gong Aiai was given the moniker “house sister” after her real estate holdings were revealed. The case shows the immense corruption that is possible at even low levels in China.
After the case stirred up a storm on the Internet, the police in her hometown reportedly took her brother into custody for questioning.

Reporters attempting to interview Gong Aiai failed to find her in Shenmu, her place of residence, and so far, there has been no information on where she has gone or been taken, or whether she has gone into hiding to avoid publicity.


Gong Aiai’s ownership of Beijing and Shaanxi property registered under different names is worth over 10 billion yuan (over $160 million), it is estimated. The vast amount of money involved strongly suggests that foul play is afoot.

Gong, a member of Yulin Municipal People’s Congress, and also former deputy president of the Shenmu County Rural Commercial Bank, is the most recent Party official to be exposed by Internet whistleblowers.

The intense publicity prompted a widespread investigation in Shaanxi involving the Beijing police and Ministry of Public Security, which brought to light her four illegal residential registrations and resulted in arrests of several local officials. In China, each person is issued only one household registration, or hukou, and cannot legally own property under other registrations.

So far, investigations have uncovered personal assets of 28 properties. Eight of them in Beijing, occupying more than 2,000 square meters; two in Xi’an with around 400 square meters; and two in Shenmu with 620 square meters. She also owned businesses in those cities.

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In an interview with Chinese media, Gong attempted to explain her family business operations: “My family is a big family and we have coal and other enterprises,” she said. “I together with my brothers have taken care of the coal business for years and we have a high income.” Chinese following the case online did not appear to be convinced.

Read the original Chinese article. 
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Beijing on January 19, with an Air Quality Index reading of 415. (©A/Flickr)

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United we choke

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Weibo user Song Dandan shared this recent image of Beijing. (Via Weibo)

Financial columnist Ding Chenling (@丁辰灵) rose to second place when he posted an infographic discussing the origin of China’s air pollution and comparing it to the United States. Ding commented, ”China and the U.S. are the same [geographic] size; China has 100 million cars, the U.S. has 285 million. Why is China’s air so bad? It’s because of relaxed standards for low quality fuel. China’s petrol has 500% of the sulfur content of U.S. fuel, and 1,500% the sulfur content of European fuel.”

Anger and frustration at the quality of Beijing’s air was not limited to bloggers of one political persuasion. Conservative commentator Hu Xijin (@胡锡进) complained,”I was just having lunch with the Pakistani ambassador to China in the Jingcheng building, on about the 50th floor. I pointed to the beautiful scene outside and said to the ambassador: Look at the strange picture that economic development paints — hazily enchanting.”

Hu later added, “Chinese people should not tolerate and endure too much environmental pollution just for the sake of enrichment…in an age of globalization, this will add to the opportunities for conflict between China and other countries. Even if we may be the ultimate victors…it may not be enough to cover what we’ve lost in the present.”

It’s not us, it’s you

A number of prominent Weibo users pointed a finger in the direction of China’s government. Real estate developer Pan Shiyi (@潘石屹) started an online poll that reads more like a petition to Chinese authorities. It  simply reads, “Call for legislation: Clean Air Bill.” 98.8% of those responding have expressed support thus far.

Angel investor and widely-followed Weibo user Charles Xue (@薛蛮子)’s widely-read post was perhaps the most urgent. Xue wrote, “China’s air pollution has already worsened to an intolerable point. I hope the Chinese assembly will take this opportunity to call a meeting, and put out a clean air bill. For every old person, for every child, for the health of every citizen, we need to control environmental pollution!”

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On a morning stained with poison air, here’s a suggestion: Aside from allowing the normal operation of public transportation, all other vehicles should be stopped, and the production of all [vehicles] with non-conforming emissions should also be stopped. Both the plebeians and the leading cadres (however important they may be) should be squeezed together on public transportation so public servants can get closer [to their constituents].

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