Official asked to pay back birthday money

The political advisory body in Shanxi province confirmed media reports on Sunday about an official who took money through social media platform WeChat.

Xing Yanjun, who works for the Shanxi Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, was found to have received 500 yuan ($74) through WeChat, the committee said in a statement.

"The personnel department and the disciplinary department of the committee have asked Xing to return the money and make a thorough self-criticism. The disciplinary department is still looking into the matter and will make a decision in line with relevant regulations and discipline," the statement said.