Zhang displays the receipts of the returned bribes. [Photo/Yangtze Evening News]

An official has returned 9,000 yuan ($1,338) he was given in bribes and posted the details online, the Yangtze Evening News reported on Wednesday.

Zhang Xifei, an official of East China Jiangsu’s Yancheng city handed back the cash along with a handwritten note warning people not to attempt corruption again.

"I send back the money to alert people to behave themselves...though it seems it's an unwritten rule of officials taking bribes and giving benefits back. I see it as a moral degeneration" Zhang was cited as saying in his post "A civil servant’s declaration on probity" published last October.

All receipts read: "I do what I should do, and it’s nothing about money" or "Please don't do this anymore", according to reports.

Zhang said his intention was to promote healthy business in official circles.