Rumors, lies and ethnic hatred: Welcome to Shaoguan, China

Many factors contributed to the ethnic violence in Shaoguan and Urumqi, but mistrust has been magnified by new technology and old suspicions.

“Sometimes a rumor is like a snowball. It will become bigger and bigger, especially on the Internet,” said the head of the Shaoguan propaganda department. “If there is a lack of communication, it will create a market for rumors. If communication goes well, there is no space for rumors.”

In Shaoguan, they continue to swirl.