Irony and sarcasm flourish over dead fish after Tiajin explosion

Boxun reported on Wednesday August 19, 2015 that Tianjin’s Haihe River had a large number of dead fish wash up on its shores. Although most people believe that the dead fish are related to the August 12 explosion and spread of toxic chemicals, online there is only ridicule. A noted media personality said this shows that “in the face of increasing crackdowns on free expression, protest is getting more and more cynical.”

After the dead fish information was disseminated, all Chinese social media was full of voices of ridicule. To summarize the views of netizens: “Ways that the Tianjin fish died: 1. Drowning. 2. Collective suicide due to depression. 3. Because they’re being investigated by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection and commited suicide to avoid prosecution. Their suicide notes will be publicized on CCTV. 4. They were reported by corrupt officials’ mistresses and died of fright. 5. They died of suffocation due to the high heat. 6. They died from a flood. 7. They died from the water being too clean.”

Renowned media personality Shi Feike believes: “Because of the large number of dead fish in the Haihe River, that it was caused exclusively by the explosion is highly suspect. But before experts came to the official explanation, ironic humor on the Internet suggested that the fish had drowned, died of anger, or committed suicide. This indicates that few people don’t suspect the truth of the government’s words. Because regarding the increasingly harsh crackdown on negative resistance, regarding the increasing hatred of “fifty centers” (people paid to post pro-government messages), more and more people are discovering the weapons of the powerless, irony and satire.”
http://www.boxun.com/news/gb/china/2015/08/201508210023.shtml