[Unofficial excerpt translation from Chinese to English]

"Concerns Rise as Journalist's Social Media Account Disappears Following Cooking Oil Transport Exposé" July 12, 2024

A recent investigative report by The Beijing News revealed practices of transporting cooking oil in tankers previously used for kerosene, raising food safety concerns. Subsequently, Han Futao, the chief reporter behind the investigation, has reportedly become unreachable, and his personal account on the social media platform Weibo has been deactivated.

Internet users have noted that searches for "Beijing News Han Futao" on Weibo now yield no results. Content related to the reporter, including posts praising his work, appears to have been removed from the platform. Some users have shared screenshots showing messages indicating the account no longer exists or has been closed at the user's request.

Public discussion has emerged around the reporter's whereabouts and the reasons for his account's disappearance. While some express concern, others suggest alternative explanations, such as the use of a different account or voluntary deactivation due to unwanted messages.

Concurrently, "Fa Huo Bang," a logistics platform previously used to track tanker truck movements, has removed its vehicle tracking function. The app now displays a message stating the feature is undergoing maintenance and upgrades. Reports suggest this change may be related to the ongoing discussion about oil transportation practices.