China's Communist Party, which holds a tight grip on power, has long rested its legitimacy on representing the interests of the Chinese people.

The comment was broadcast nationwide, and Internet users nominated it as the catch phrase for 2009.

Lu Jun, the urban planning development vice director of Zhengzhou in central Henan province, made the comment to a reporter investigating a development issue, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Embarrassed superiors quickly reprimanded Lu for his remarks, which were broadcast by China National Radio on June 17. He was suspended pending further investigation.

"Lu Jun has been suspended for an improper sentence he uttered, which is contrary to the purpose of the Communist Party of China," Yao Daixian, head of the Organization Department of the party's Zhengzhou city committee, told Xinhua. The department oversees personnel issues within the party.

Lu denied making the statement, Yao said.

Xinhua also said there were online allegations that Lu had digitally altered his profile photo on the Zhengzhou government Web site by showing President Hu Jintao's hairstyle as his own. The photo has since been removed.

The China National Radio reporter had been investigating a suspicious property scheme in Xigang village of Zhengzhou, where a developer who was given permission to build affordable housing for low-income people instead built 12 villas and two mid-rise buildings.

Yao told Xinhua his department was investigating.