Shanxi county mayor and deputy mayor share same name

In a rare yet entertaining twist of fate, the county of Fanshi in northern China's Shanxi Province is making headlines for having two government officials sharing not just the same name but also the same surname — Zhao Bin. 

In a rare instance, one serves as the county mayor, while the other holds the position of a deputy mayor.

This unusual situation has caught the attention of netizens, leading to a flurry of discussions online. Some have expressed their amazement at this unique coincidence, while others have humorously speculated whether both officials would turn around if called out by the name “mayor Zhao." There are also questions about whether their signatures might look similar.

A screenshot from the official website of the Fanshi countygovernment shows that the county mayor shares the same name as adeputy mayor.  

According to Fanshi County's official website, both Zhao Bin officials are actively carrying out their duties. Despite their identical names, they distinguish themselves through different birth dates, educational backgrounds, and job responsibilities. 

The county mayor, born in December 1981, holds a doctoral degree and oversees the overall functions of the county government and auditing tasks. Conversely, the deputy mayor, born in April 1978, has a university degree and is tasked with managing agriculture, rural affairs, water conservancy, poverty alleviation, and rural revitalization.

A staff member from the county government office confirmed the unusual naming circumstance, noting that while it is uncommon to have two officials with identical names on the same leadership team, it has not led to any mix-ups in their daily operations. 

To prevent confusion, staff refer to each official using their corresponding titles alongside their names. The county mayor is addressed as “mayor Zhao,” while the deputy mayor is known as “deputy mayor Zhao” or “deputy mayor Zhao Bin.”

As the amusing coincidence continues to attract attention, locals and netizens alike are enjoying the light-hearted nature of the situation, reminding all that sometimes, coincidence can spark joy in unexpected ways.