Unfortunately this is SOP for the Beijing government. Following the earthquakes a few years ago, grieving parents were swept under the carpet by the government who covered up the shoddy construction. Fudging numbers, whether for economic growth or food production has been a staple of this regime since the beginning. At this point it's likely only a matter of time before the authorities turn against the critics, as they always do. The Guardian:
Chinese authorities face growing public fury over the high-speed train crash that killed at least 38 people and injured 192, with the disposal of wreckage and attempts to control coverage of the incident prompting allegations of a cover-up.
The railways ministry has apologised for the collision in eastern Zhejiang province and announced an inquiry. Spokesman Wang Yongping added: "China's high-speed rail technology is up to date and up to standard, and we still have faith in it."
Internet users attacked the government's response to the disaster after authorities muzzled media coverage and urged reporters to focus on rescue efforts. "We have the right to know the truth!" wrote one microblogger called kangfu xiaodingdang. "That's our basic right!"
Leaked propaganda directives ordered journalists not to investigate the causes and footage emerged of bulldozers shovelling dirt over carriages.
