In Xuzhou City, Jiangsu Province, a farmer planted over 25,000 kilograms of ripe peaches, which were recently snatched by nearby residents. On the same day, in Suzhou, Anhui Province, potatoes planted by a farmer were also looted. This news made it to the top searches on Baidu on June 20th.
According to a report by China National Radio on June 19th, Mr. Zhang in Xuzhuang Town, Shanhuang Village, in Xuzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, leased over 1,800 mu of mountainous land for ecological planting. When about 500 mu of peach trees entered their mature period, starting from the morning of June 10th, local villagers came one after another to pick the peaches. Approximately 50 mu of peach trees were picked clean, estimating a loss of over 50,000 catties of peaches. The report mentioned that many broken branches with brown stumps were visible in the orchard. The metal fences surrounding the orchard were torn open and pushed down in multiple places, creating openings, and not a single peach could be seen on the peach trees.
Currently, Mr. Zhang has alerted the orchard workers to report the incident to the police.
On the same day, June 10th, in Suzhou, Anhui Province, Mr. Zeng’s planted potatoes were also looted. According to the Suzhou Public Security Bureau’s “Police Report” on June 16th, Mr. Zeng reported the incident on June 15th.
A mainland Chinese self-media figure, “Entertainment Insight Dot Dot,” expressed bewilderment on June 20th: Why would people snatch things when potatoes and peaches are not worth much this year, and the villagers are not starving either?
Another mainland Chinese self-media figure, “Wild and Fancy Words,” believed that in previous incidents of looting peanuts, potatoes, and the like, some people would use the excuse of “farmers don’t want them anymore” to try to justify the actions. However, the fact that the peach orchard was still fenced with metal wires but was not spared from looting clearly indicates an unmistakable act of looting.
The self-media figure “Little Ghost Head Sports” believed that in these two looting incidents, many villagers participated because they either thought if they didn’t snatch, they would lose out, or they believed in the principle of “the law does not hold everyone accountable,” and the police couldn’t do much with so many people, so they went ahead with this unjust act without guilt.
However, some netizens believe that the main reason for such frequent incidents is the inadequate enforcement by the authorities. A netizen named “Old Man Guan Jia Wu” said, “If they claim the law doesn’t hold everyone accountable, why don’t they try robbing a bank? They will definitely be held accountable then.”
“Wild and Fancy Words” believed that the harms caused by such looting behavior are multifaceted. For farmer Zhang, this has resulted in significant economic losses. From a societal perspective, looting incidents disrupt social order and fairness and justice.