Cross-posted from: https://feddit.de/post/8299738

Wave of online scepticism about two stories of survival and success in China point to deeper public dissatisfaction.

The lengths that some are willing to go to stifle bad news in China drew ridicule online last year when a student at a college in Nanchang discovered a rat’s head in his cafeteria rice meal, which canteen staff, the school and a local food supervision bureau all claimed was duck meat.

The catering company then threatened legal actions against anyone “spreading rumours” about their food, while students were told by school staff not to discuss the rodent’s head in the rice.

“When those in power even try to cover up a rat head, it is difficult to trust anything you hear or see in the media,” Li from Suzhou said.

Peng from Shenzhen concurred.

“There are so many problems in China right now with the economy, with corruption, and with many other things,” she said.

“You can’t hide it all behind some positive stories,” she added.