Politics · China · 3 hrs ago
China Punishes Five People for False Baqing Earthquake Claims
Chinese police announced penalties in five cases involving false online claims about the Baqing earthquake.
The cases involved people investigated by police in Tibet, including in Naqu, Lhasa and Chamdo, and in Shenzhen, Guangdong.
The false posts included invented casualty figures and a claim that an earthquake-damaged reservoir was about to collapse.
Police said the posts misled the public, spread fear and disrupted online order, with one case also interfering with rescue work.
All five people received administrative penalties from local police.
Chinese law allows detention and fines for deliberately spreading disaster rumors that disrupt public order, and criminal penalties can apply when false information seriously disrupts social order.
The cases were announced as part of the 2026 Clean Net campaign, which authorities said is targeting online disaster rumors.
Chinese police announced administrative penalties against five people for spreading false information about the Baqing earthquake.
The cases involved claims about deaths and other disaster conditions, including a false warning that a nearby reservoir was about to collapse.
Authorities said the posts misled the public, caused panic or disrupted online order.
The cases were reported by police cybersecurity departments in Tibet and Shenzhen, Guangdong.
- Who
- Five internet users, identified only by surnames or partial names.
- What
- They were given administrative penalties for spreading false information about the Baqing earthquake.
- When
- The cases were announced on October 30, 2026; the dates of the posts and penalties were not stated.
- Where
- Online platforms; the cases were handled by police departments in Nagqu, Lhasa, Chamdo and Shenzhen.
- Why
- Authorities said the false claims misled the public and disrupted online order; some were also said to have caused panic or interfered with relief work.
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- People penalized
- 5
- Announcement date
- October 30, 2026
- False claim
- A nearby reservoir was allegedly about to collapse because of the earthquake
- Other false claims
- Untrue casualty figures and disaster information
- Locations of police departments
- Nagqu, Lhasa, Chamdo and Shenzhen