To celebrate April Fools day, here are some of the fake news that have gone viral and made their rounds on social media in China. Enjoy.
Urban legend or news? A woman sprayed perfume in a car. Someone lighted a cigarette and caused an explosion.
Ans: An urban legend that once went viral in China. It never happened.
***
True or false? Wa Wa vegetable and fresh black fungus are toxic.
Ans: False. Both can be safely eaten.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: 84-year old man feigned deafness for 62 years to avoid talking to his wife.
Ans: Complete fabrication.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: 250 researchers in China found that radiation from mobile phones can cause cancer.
Ans: Only a handful of inconclusive results.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: WeChat will soon charge users. Those who share this piece of news will get to use it for free.
Ans: Fake news. The “incentive” caused the rumour to spread like wild fire.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: Riders of electrical personal mobility devices (in China) must take a driving test.
Ans: Under consideration.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: The yellow croaker fish is artificially dyed yellow.
Ans: Fake news.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: Chemotherapy has killed more people than it cured.
Ans: Fake news perpetuated by alternative healers.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: Eating huge amounts of black fungus can help prevent cancer.
Ans: Not backed by evidence.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: Researchers found that non-diary creamer has the same nutrient content as infant formula.
Ans: Fake news.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: Scientists just discovered that low sodium diets are actually less healthy than high sodium diets.
Ans: Fake news.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: Temple in Kai Feng placed a recruitment ad for monks. Monthly allowance 20,000-50,000 yuan.
Ans: Fake news.
***
Viral on Chinese social media: A mixture of spinach and milk is a recipe for dysentery.
Ans: It may cause diarrhoea in some people but not dysentery.
Dewdrop Books – Fiction and non-fiction with a focus on the colourful and exotic Asian realm. Check out our titles.