“Reading banned books behind closed doors on a snowy night is one of life’s greatest pleasures,” goes a popular saying in China. It is often (perhaps mistakenly) attributed to a 17th-century scholar, but is used to convey a yearning that many relate to today. Surprisingly, Chinese officials are among those who treasure poring over gossipy political works that the Communist Party prohibits. In recent months, numerous high-ranking ones have been accused of keeping secret stashes.
The Economist
