CDC Deputy Director Chou Jih-haw said the man, who has been doing his military service in Taipei City since the beginning of summer, was likely to have been affected when he went home to the Chienchin District of Kaohsiung City last month between the 12th and 25th. He also reportedly visited Fengshan in Kaohsiung County.

Alena Ledeneva's book is the first to analyse blat in all its historical, socio-economic and cultural aspects, and to explore its implications for post-Soviet society. In a socialist distribution system which resulted in constant shortages, blat developed into an 'economy of favours' which shadowed an overcontrolling centre and represented the reaction of ordinary people to the social constraints they faced.

He wouldn't spring a nickel for a bag of peanuts.

At another, now upside down but still pillarlike, he makes a further such display, tapping his foot as if he had time to kill, and all this were mere ennui.