Three journalists were beaten up for investigating into an alleged lavish extravagant dinner attended by several Chinese officials.

South Metropolis Daily had sent three of its reporters to the Donghu Reservoir Pearl Seafood Restaurant on the evening of January 21st after receiving a call from a concerned citizen. The caller reported some officials were treating themselves to a lavish dinner, and ate up on a critically endangered giant salamander dish.

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The giant salamander, a rare species, is covered by China's Wildlife Protection Law. It is very costly, so any official caught eating it would violate China's anti-extravagance laws.

Photojournalist Chen Weicai was taking photos from a building across the restaurant when his camera was snatched, the newspaper said in its extensive report.

Another journalist, Chen Lewei, was allegedly "beaten and slapped " by one of the diners wearing a yellow jacket. The diner was later identified as Wang Yinghang, a retired member of the CPC Committee of the Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau.

Journalist Yi Haijun, who was also "surrounded and placed in a chokehold" by several diners, suffered scratches on his hands, as his mobile phone was forcibly taken away, the newspaper reported. 

The journalists immediately reported the incident to the police. The reporters said they  tried to stop their assailants from leaving the scene but the responding police had let them go on board a Land Rover SUV.

In its report, the South Metropolis Daily said a total of 28 people attended the dinner, including Wang Yinghang. The dinner, which had already been discounted 85 percent, had a price tag of CNY5,400 (US$864). The price excludes the liquor brought to the restaurant. 

Reports said each diner was given a bag of fish from the reservoir, where fishing is prohibited. 

The Shenzhen Municipal Public Security Bureau later clarified that Wang Yinghang invited his former colleagues to the dinner but paid for it using his own money.

A special team had been created to investigate the case.

Reports said 14 police officers have been suspended in relation to the incident including Wang Yuanping, head of the Dongshen Public Security Bureau. Wang, who oversees the local police station that responded to the incident, was placed under investigation after being learned that he was among the diners.

TagsChinese journalists, salamander, salamander dinner, Chinese officials, extravagance