14th July 2024 – (Beijing) The Beijing News recently exposed a disturbing practice involving tanker trucks in mainland China. The trucks, used for transporting both edible and industrial oils without appropriate cleaning, have raised significant food safety concerns.
At the heart of this exposé is Han Futao, a seasoned investigative journalist whose recent report on the issue led to his sudden disappearance from the social media platform, Weibo. The deletion of Han’s account has sparked a wave of concern for his safety among netizens, though some speculate that the closure was self-initiated due to the overwhelming backlash and scrutiny following his report.
The investigation led by Han Futao, alongside interns Zhang Xinhui and He Zherlin, unveiled that various tankers were alternating between hauling syrup, soybean oil (edible substances), and kerosene (a chemical substance), with no cleansing procedures in between. This practice was first documented on 16th May, culminating in a detailed report published on 2nd July. The trio’s month-and-a-half-long investigation has not only highlighted severe lapses in food safety protocols but has also illustrated the profound impact and societal reliance on investigative journalism in China.
Following the publication, the revelation triggered an immediate public uproar and subsequent governmental intervention. The disappearance of Han Futao from Weibo has led to various speculations. Initial searches on Weibo for Han’s account post-deletion yielded messages stating the account no longer exists, suggesting it was either removed or deactivated. Screenshots circulated online indicated that the account was closed at the user’s request, raising questions about whether Han’s decision was a protective response to the negative attention drawn by his controversial findings.
Han Futao is no stranger to the perils and challenges of undercover journalism. His career is studded with impactful investigations, such as the 2016 exposure of child labour in Jiangsu and the 2020 probe into alleged insurance fraud in multiple hospitals in Anhui. Each investigation revealed systemic abuses and led to significant social and regulatory changes.
In 2021, Han took his investigative skills to the culinary world, uncovering unsanitary practices at the popular eatery, ‘Pang Ge Liang Meat Crab Pot’. His findings about the use of decomposed food ingredients led to public outcry and the restaurant’s eventual closure, further cementing his reputation as a fearless expositor of inconvenient truths.
