Han Honggang, a farmer in Henan province, gave away his 300,000 kilograms of radish crop for free because of low prices. His losses multiplied when a crowd of people descended on his farm and took away any vegetables they could lay their hands on. But later the media and some people helped Han to sell 30,000 kg of sweet potatoes in just a few hours, repaying his "kindheartedness" in kind. Han, the volunteers and the people who bought his vegetables are an example of the spirit of cooperation, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

When people "stole" the vegetables from Han's farm, some people saw it as a decline in public morals. But criticisms contribute nothing to solve the problem.

Most Chinese people have earned a good life by working hard and following all social and moral norms. What such critics forget is that public morals do not change overnight. That is not to say that every Chinese person is an example of social and moral norms, though.

But the necessary changes should be introduced in experimental areas to allow people to adjust accordingly and follow new but justifiable norms. Han's decision to distribute radishes for free was according to the rules of cooperation and kindness, and he didn't see what was to come - the "loot" of his vegetables.

But later the collaboration of people and the media with Han to sell the latter's sweet potatoes set an example of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Public morals are not what they should ideally be. But people can make their lives better and interpersonal relationship more harmonious through better interaction and cooperation in specific areas.

(China Daily 12/07/2011 page9)