Social bonds fail to make pass grade: CASS report

Social distrust have been growing among public and in various social groups, probably as a result of an increasing number of public scandals in recent years, a bluebook by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences said Monday.

The Social Attitude Bluebook is based on a survey on residents in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. It said general social trust was only evaluated at 59.7 percent and failed to meet the 60 percent needed for a "passing grade," according to China News Service.

Compared with a year ago, social trust fell significantly in Beijing and Shanghai, and only slightly rose in Guangzhou.

Mistrust between different social groups, such as officials and ordinary people, police and citizens, doctors and patients, and rich and poor, have been widening, according to the bluebook.

The report attributed the falling trust to frequent public scandals, which reduced people's trust in the government, judiciary bodies, advertisement, food safety and tourist services.

The lack of trust is leading to more frictions and conflicts, and sometimes even massive riots, the report said.

As the nation goes through a transformation to a modern society, the traditional trust among people has been broken, said the bluebook.

To improve social trust, the report suggested first enhancing the public's supervision power. Further opening up government operations and encouraging public participation in the supervision of officials can help the credibility of the government, according to the bluebook.

Also, organizations or individuals who break their promises or lose their credibility should be punished, so as to establish a healthy credibility system, the bluebook said.