Chinese Officials Apologize for Porn Fine

By Bob Preston

Police officials in historically repressive China went out of their way to apologize to a citizen for invading his privacy, and in this case, adult content was involved.

It happened like this: Chinese citizen Tang Shanghai was commuting on a train when a transit officer accosted him and fined him about $30 for having an adult video stored on his phone.

The fine sparked an online outcry that sent loads of support toward Shanghai. Posters on message boards argued that the transit officer had invaded Shanghai's privacy.

The bureau responsible for the train's security agreed, sending several officials to Shanghai's home to apologize to him and reimburse him for the money.

Elsewhere around the Pacific Rim, a porn addiction might get an embattled Chinese immigrant kicked out of his adopted country.

Twenty-five-year-old Feiyu Zhou, a Chinese immigrant and restaurant supervisor, got busted for posting a video camera inside a toilet brush holder to film people using the restroom.

He amassed a collection of 10 videos during June 2007 – five men and five women, all using the bathroom in a local Starbucks. According to authorities, Zhou would turn on the camera and wait in the coffee shop until he had a recording. After the patron left the bathroom, he would go in and grab the tape. An employee eventually uncovered the scheme.

In court, Zhou pleaded guilty to five counts of making an intimate visual recording. He's been sentenced to 200 hours community service, along with other probationary measures. Zhou must also write a letter of apology to be dispersed through the media. In addition, New Zealand's department of immigration has revoked his work permit and is thinking about terminating his residency.

For his part, Zhou said he's deeply ashamed of his actions, which he called the "most disgusting things in my life."

Zhou's girlfriend has stood by him through all this. She said that she didn't know anything about her boyfriend's interest in pornography.