Opinion: The Zhengzhou Disaster Cover-Up Spotlights a Longstanding Reflex

The official probe into the Zhengzhou flooding disaster last summer revealed astonishing findings on how authorities tried to cover up the extent of the catastrophe by underreporting casualties.

The report marks a step forward in China’s efforts to modernize national governance and promote openness and transparency. At the same time, the findings show that the underreporting in Zhengzhou was not limited to one place. Instead, it remains a systemic practice among local authorities.