The finance authority in Northwest China's Shaanxi province has declined to reveal the salary of a senior local official, China News Service reported on Thursday.

Liu Yanfeng, a student at China Three Gorges University in Hubei province, submitted an inquiry about the annual income of Yang Dacai, director of the Shaanxi Provincial Administration of Work Safety, to the Shaanxi Provincial Finance Department on Sept 1.

Yang first came to the attention of Chinese Internet users after he was pictured smiling at the scene of a fatal traffic accident on Aug 26.

Since then, images of him wearing a selection of 11 expensive watches, customized glasses and bracelets have emerged.

Many said he wouldn't be able to afford the expensive items with his salary.

In a reply letter to Liu, the Shaanxi Provincial Finance Department said that Yang's salary is not under the category of government information that can be made public.

Liu said he will consult with lawyers and hear the opinions of netizens and then decide how to respond, the report said.