China's flood relief 'propaganda' sparks outrage: Rescuers filmed eating in downpour, netizens spot nearby tent

A video showing Chinese rescue workers eating in the pouring rain during flood relief efforts in Guangxi has sparked a debate online. While some viewers expressed sympathy and praised the firefighters' dedication, many netizens questioned the necessity of eating in such conditions, especially when a tent was visible nearby.

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Rainwater wet their bento but couldn't extinguish the light in their eyes. He sat on the waterlogged ground, treating the boxed meal as a battlefield and the rainwater as a medal. Every bite of rice was fueling the next charge. The wind and rain are ruthless, but there are always people who hold up the sky in the mud. This is our most reliable foundation.

The incident occurred in Guigang City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which has been severely affected by Typhoon Maysa. Firefighters were reportedly distributing meals to students trapped by the floods when the heavy rain began. To avoid delaying rescue operations, they quickly ate their boxed lunches before continuing their work.

Some Chinese social media users lauded the firefighters as "heroes" and praised their commitment to protecting the public, with comments like "Rainwater wet their bento but couldn't extinguish the light in their eyes." However, a growing number of netizens pointed out the presence of a blue tent just steps away, questioning why the rescuers didn't use it for shelter.

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Why didn't they go to the tent next to them to take shelter from the rain?

The video gained further traction when shared by Hong Kong media, where many commenters accused Chinese authorities of staging the scene for propaganda purposes. They urged officials to prioritize genuine rescue efforts over what they perceived as a fabricated display, suggesting it was an embarrassment.

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This is simply staged propaganda. We hope that the Chinese authorities will put more energy into disaster relief and stop faking it to become a laughingstock.