Governor Zhang, having his first glass of water

media - "Creating an explanation", governor

More statements are emerging from Governor Zhang Zuoji, this time through Time magazine.

At a meeting on that same day [November 22] held on a first-floor conference room at Harbin's Peace Village Hotel, according to someone who was present, Heilongjiang Governor Zhang Zuoji explained to 400 local and provincial officials why Harbin had first deceived its population: his bosses at the State Council in Beijing hadn't approved an announcement on the leak. Unable to report the real reason, he said, the city of Harbin had "created an explanation." Only after the people of Harbin panicked did the State Council approve the second, truthful statement.