What began as an object of ridicule could snowball into a widespread national crisis as a whistle-blowing former journalist says he may release similar tapes of more city officials soon, which would be a harsh blow to the party that is still recovering from the backlash of former politician Bo Xilai's high-profile downfall.

Chongqing, the city that he ran, has been depicted by prosecutors and state media as rife with cover-ups, abuse of power and corruption, with Bo's own wife recently convicted of murdering a British businessman, which he faces allegations of corruption and obstruction of justice in the murder case.