(A Guest post by Yajun)
The nuclear crisis in Japan has been a test not only of the resilience of that nation but also for the world. Many foreign residents have grabbed the earliest possible tickets out of the country, while residents in Tokyo and in the damaged northeast part of the country have (for the most part) placed their trust in their government’s decisions while they try to rebuild their lives.*
Meanwhile, in China, some people are starting to lose their cool. On Wednesday, messages about radiation arriving in Beijing were widely disseminated and many people took the rumors seriously. I received several long-distance phone calls from my family warning me to be careful.
Yesterday, word spread of people rushing to buy salt and the media was flooded with stories, pictures, and articles about the “salt rush.” As a result, stores throughout China were sold out and the price of salt in some places went from 1.3 RMB per bag to 10 RMB.
To be honest, I don’t get it. I suppose some people believe that consuming iodized salt can protect them from radiation, others are afraid that radioactive ocean water will mean not enough salt for sale in the future. Whatever the reason, the situation was serious enough that the CCTV news broadcast spent 15 minutes this morning trying to convince people that eating too much salt is bad for your health, that China has an adequate supply to meet market demand, and so for the love of God, please stop panicking.
Some buyers might not even be aware of why they are doing this. There are rumors, and everybody else is doing it, and that’s enough of a reason to do it too. It’s sad to see people abandon their own judgment and just follow the crowd.
However, I’m also saddened to see a good deal of mockery and criticism online blaming the panic buying on people’s “low suzhi” and ignorance. I’m sure nobody wants to fight with other shoppers, wait in a long line, and then pay an inflated price for what used to be a basic commodity, but this small bag of salt is something they can trust, something they can count on. Many people, like my grandparents, who survived the Great Famine of the early 1960s and the Cultural Revolution, are still conditioned by that experience, and they have vivid memories of food and basic supplies running out. When a run on a commodity happens, it’s hard for them not to compete with others to be sure they are not left behind.
That said, the salt rush is mainly a symptom of a profound lack of political trust.** In the event of a real radiation crisis, many people simply don’t know whether or not the Chinese government would tell the truth. Rather than wait and feel helpless, they listen to rumors and take the actions they believe will protect them and their family.
A good recent example of this lack of political trust is last month’s “Xiangshui incident” in Jiangsu province. On February 10, during the 2011 Spring Festival, a strong odor covered the whole town at 2:00 in the morning. Many local residents believed that an accident at a nearby factory had released toxic fumes. In the middle of the night tens of thousands of panicked people from 38 villages fled their homes. In the end, four people were killed as the result of being trampled in the rush to escape or in traffic accidents as the roads jammed with evacuees. The local government didn’t respond until 4:00 the next afternoon, but even after that people still didn’t believe the official response because of several previous accidents and leaks from the plant.
Ultimately, the vapors proved harmless, although nothing official has been said about what caused the odor. Nevertheless, when residents finally returned home, several people were arrested on charges of spreading rumors. Even though this was a false alarm, I have no doubt that if this kind of thing happens again, residents will still choose to flee, because they fear not being able to receive reliable and trustworthy information in time. They don’t have the confidence to believe that the government would tell the truth, so panicked flight is the best choice in a bad situation.
With the recent radiation scare in China, the Ministry of the Environment did announce that China has not been affected by radiation from Japan, but that did little to slow down the run on salt. In times of crisis, people want to feel like they are doing something to help themselves, even if that something might seem silly or even counterproductive. Worried about “what might be but can’t be helped” people instead focus on those things they do have control over, even if it’s something as seemingly trivial as buying a bag (or a case) of salt.
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*Though as we’re seeing, even the patience of the people in Japan is understandably starting to run short. Given everything that has happened over the past few days, it’s still impressive that faith in the government response has last as long as it has.
**I actually wrote my senior thesis at PKU on the issue of political trust. This is why this subject is so interesting for me.
Meanwhile, in China, some people are starting to lose their cool. On Wednesday, messages about radiation arriving in Beijing were widely disseminated and many people took the rumors seriously. I know I received long-distance phone calls from my family warning me to be careful.
Yesterday, word spread of people rushing to buy salt and the media was flooded with stories, pictures, and articles about the “salt rush.” As a result, stores throughout China were sold out and the price of salt in some places went from 1.3 RMB per bag to 10 RMB.
To be honest, I don’t get it. I suppose some people believe that consuming iodized salt can protect them from radiation, others are afraid that radioactive ocean water will mean not enough salt for sale in the future. Whatever the reason, the situation was serious enough that the CCTV news broadcast spent 15 minutes this morning trying to convince people that eating too much salt is bad for your health, that China has an adequate supply to meet market demand, and so for the love of God, please stop panicking.
Some buyers might not even be aware of why they are doing this. There are rumors, and everybody else is doing it, and that’s enough of a reason to do it too. It’s sad to see people abandon their own judgment and just follow the crowd.
However, I’m saddened to see a good deal of mockery and criticism online blaming the panic buying on people’s “low suzhi” and ignorance. I’m sure nobody wants to fight with other shoppers, wait in a long line, and then pay an inflated price for what used to be a basic commodity, but this small bag of salt is something they can trust, something they can count on. Many people, like my grandparents, who survived the Great Famine of the early 1960s and the Cultural Revolution, are still conditioned by that experience, and they have vivid memories food or basic supplies running out. When a run on a commodity happens, it’s hard for them not to compete with others to be sure they are not left behind.
But perhaps the most important reason is a lack of political trust. In the event of a real radiation crisis, many people simply don’t know whether or not the Chinese government would tell the truth. Rather than wait and feel helpless, they believe rumors and take actions they believe will protect them and their family.
A good demonstration of lack of political trust is the recent “Xiangshui” incident in Jiangsu province. On February 10, during the 2011 Spring Festival, a strong odor covered the whole town at 2:00 in the morning. Many local residents believed that an accident at a nearby factory had released toxic fumes. In the middle of the night tens of thousands of panicked people from 38 villages fled their homes. In the end, four people were killed as the result of being trampled in the rush to escape or in traffic accidents as the roads jammed with evacuees. The local government didn’t respond until 4:00 the next afternoon, but even after that people still didn’t believe the official response, because of several previous accidents and leaks from the plant. The local air and rivers been polluted for years and people were already sick from living so close to the plant, February 10 seemed like another in a long line of incidents.
Ultimately, the vapors proved harmless, although nothing official has been said about what caused the odor. Nevertheless, when residents finally returned home, several people were arrested on charges of spreading rumors. Even though this was a false alarm, I have no doubt that if this kind of thing happens again, residents will still choose to flee, because they fear not being able to receive reliable and trustworthy information in time. They don’t have the confidence to believe that the government would tell the truth, so panicked flight is the best choice in a bad situation.
With the recent radiation scare in China, the Ministry of the Environment did announce that China has not been affected by radiation from Japan, but that did little to slow down the run on salt. In times of crisis, people want to feel like they are doing something to help themselves, even if that something might seem silly or even counterproductive. Worried about “what might be but can’t be helped” people instead focus on those things they do have control over, even if it’s something as seemingly trivial as buying a bag (or a case) of salt.
—————————-
*Though as we’re seeing, even the patience of the people in Japan is understandably starting to run short. Given everything that has happened over the past few days, it’s still impressive that faith in the government response has last as long as it has.
RT @GraniteStudio: Political trust, not something to be taken with a grain of salt…: In a crisis, many Chinese people simply don’t … http://bit.ly/hCjT2k
Political trust, not something to be taken with a grain of salt… http://t.co/1EHJsO6
I fail to see the resemblance between political trust and buying salt. People perceive the false sense security so they act irrationality. People buying salt in China is no different than people in the US buying Iodine tablets or when someone yells “fire” in a crowded movie theater.
I agree with the idea of distrust. But I think there is something more at play as well. Distrust of the government in a nuclear crisis is after all quite common worldwide, and hoarding has happened this week in many other countries (including the US).
What is really remarkable about China is that the hoarding was so completely irrational. I mean, why would you get salt of all things? Anyone can go on the internet and see third party information (not from the government) to check about the salt. The first thing I did Tuesday, for example, is google “salt iodine radiation” to find some expert advice.
It looks like Chinese people don’t have this instinct of looking for different sources, perhaps due to years of media control. In the end, this is not a story of distrust, but rather of blind trust: the trust of all those absurd sms chains started by some Zhejiang guys (salt merchants?) saying that you need to get salt.
What is it that makes Chinese society so conductive for viral chains? My guess: not only distrust of the government, but also the lack of a liberal education and the instinct to search the truth for themselves.
yeah i’ve always been amazed at the strength and power of the Chinese rumor mill — a small incident can reach the entire nation in less than a day and have a very large impact. Author have any ideas about this?
btw distrust has a lot to do with it … if you don’t believe that someone will help you and you don’t believe the news, what can you believe? gotta act to feel safe right?
[...] back to China: there has been this amazing story of the salt, you can read it all in this interesting post. One of those crazy viral chains that spread like wildfire in China. Someone started a rumour that [...]
What China is going thru: http://granitestudio.org/2011/03/18/political-trust-not-something-to-be-taken-with-a-grain-of-salt/
RT @chinahearsay: Granite Studio | Political trust, not something to be taken with a grain of salt… http://goo.gl/vUV71
Why are Chinese rushing to salt as an antidote to radiation? Lack of political trust. http://is.gd/Z4DGWc
RT @klukoff: Why are Chinese rushing to salt as an antidote to radiation? Lack of political trust. http://is.gd/Z4DGWc
[...] from the Granite Studio has a guest commentary written by Yajun on the recent salt rush. The writer points out that it is a symptom of a profound lack of political trust on the government. [...]
[...] from the Granite Studio has a guest commentary written by Yajun on the recent salt rush. The writer points out that it is a symptom of a profound lack of political trust on the [...]
[...] from the Granite Studio has a guest commentary written by Yajun on the recent salt rush. The writer points out that it is a symptom of a profound lack of political trust on the government. Tags: china, commentary, granite, guest, guest commentary, jottings, lack, Lam, [...]
RT @klukoff: Why are Chinese rushing to salt as an antidote to radiation? Lack of political trust. http://is.gd/Z4DGWc
[...] Recently, everybody has been running to the store to buy salt. While I don’t usually buy salt- there is enough in the foods I eat already- I have heard stories about the salt being bought out because so many people are buying it. My teacher was telling me she had to go to several different stores before finally finding salt at a very expensive import store- everywhere else was sold out! This is largely because of the scare of nuclear radiation from the plant in Japan 1500 miles away. Don’t worry though. The government put out a report saying radiation levels are normal and the wind is blowing to America, away from China. If you would like to read a really good article that explains this salt phenomenon, and the deeper issues behind it, then click here: Political trust, not something to be taken with a grain of salt… [...]
There is one difference between iodized salt and iodine tablets: The effective dose (to saturate iodine in thyroid) of iodized salt (about 3 kilograms a day) is also lethal, and not from chronic disease like kidney failure etc. like in most reports in China, but more acute effects, like heart failure.
And there is one Chinese folklore about protecting yourself from lethal dose of salt too: Ingest huge, I meant several kilograms, of lard, BEFORE you ingest the salt. Children, Don’t try this at home. But this prevention also defeats the anti-radiation effect of iodized salt, as it also prevents the absorption of iodine into your blood stream.
@ Julen. I’m with you. This isn’t about a lack of trust. It’s about blind trust in, well, anything and a society not taught to think for itself.
People who are allowed to be more critical and cynical of their governments are more critical and cynical of everything else, too. They have a habit of questioning and getting their own info. I think that’s why HK (which shared a similar culture to China) is less prone to these panics (though certainly not immune).
One thing I’ve noticed about mainland friends here is their blind trust in what relatives / friends says on medical issues. One lady said she wouldn’t seek treatment — even at an excellent, affordable public hospital — because a “friend” said she’d be billed HK $6,000 for Chinese herbs. A HK person would probably call the hospital to check, go online, or seek a second opinion. But, for some reason, this lady showed both a total distrust of all authority, while lacking any desire to research it herself. Meanwhile, she will remain ill and untreated.
I’m not saying all mainland migrants are like this — this is a gross generalization. But there is something very peculiar in the way the Chinese react to health scares.
@ Pugster. The difference between Californians buying iodine tablets and the Chinese buying salt is that tablets could actually make a difference. The British Embassy handed out tablets to its citizens in Japan. The U.S. Surgeon General said they could be used as a “precaution.”
But no doctor or government in its right mind will tell people to binge-eat salt. The Chinese are going to have to force-feed themselves kilos of salt to get the same amount. Imagine the dehydration and hypertension (never mind the taste!)
OK, both are silly over-reactions. But the latter really is ridiculous.
Plus, it’s not like there’s some nation-wide iodine-buying frenzy in America. There are paranoids everywhere, but there’s a difference of proportion.
A friend summed it up this way: In every American family, there’s always one crazy aunt who lectures you about health problem. But China is overrun with “crazy aunts.” (Her words, not mine).
So this is more about political distrust than distrust of science? You don’t have to trust CCP, but why distrust Physics, Chemistry, and Biology?
Imagine if the rumour was about the impending failure of one of the large banks. The earth would have tilted from the rush to the counter.
RT @BillNigh: MT @tokyo_tom: Perceptive:"China’s salt rush reflects a profound lack of political trust" http://bit.ly/gdSK7m
.@BillNigh "profound lack of political trust" in China is very manifest ME.Apparent in US;MORE distrust needed in Japan http://bit.ly/gdSK7m
I cannot agree more with Sam: No “political trust” is required for resisting participation in the utterly insane “salt rush”, as long as you have some basic scientific knowledge that is part of the standard middle school curriculum in China today. While people may depend on the government to tell them the truth about whether there’s radioactive hazard, there don’t need the government to know that in the event of such hazard, iodine salt is not going to help them in any way.
So, what this bizarre incident actually revealed to me, is, once again, the gargantuan deficit in scientific education of the general public in China — for which, of course, the government bears a significant among of responsibility. I always knew that Chinese people are anything but scientifically minded — how else would they believe in that voodoo shit called Chinese medicine –, but I was still deeply shocked this time. And this is supposed to be the coming global superpower? Right.
@wgj – not sure if this is suppose to be satire or if you’re serious but on the off chance that you are serious, I suggest you take a stroll over to the creation museum located in the heartland of the current global superpower. I hear they have great dioramas of man walking with dinosaurs that the local salt lickers like in their science books.
I also suggest you read the post again. It discusses the catalyst for the rush on salt not the underlying assumptions of the benefits of salt.