Related entries: National
QUFU police have launched a criminal investigation into a rumor that claimed some watermelons planted in a town in eastern China Shandong Province were injected with HIV-tainted blood, Xin’an Evening News, a Hefei based newspaper reported today.
Anyone who has information pertaining to the rumor can contact police by dialing 110, the local police said.
The Qufu government held a news conference yesterday to strike down the rumor. After its thorough investigation, no HIV carriers were found in Fanji town, Linquan County, which is well-known for their watermelons crops.
Reportedly, not many watermelons planted by Linquan farmers were sold in the local market, on the heels of the rumor. Linquan watermelons used to be the top sellers, even though their price was much higher than watermelons from other regions.
Earlier this year, local farmers registered a trademark and established an association to protect their watermelons crops. The local farmers planted 160 hectares of watermelons. After the rumor spread around the city, sales rapidly declined.
Li Huadong, a Linquan farmer, also the vice director of the local watermelon association, said he planted more than 6.7 hectares of watermelon this year, which topped the farmers in Linquan. Before the rumor spread, the watermelons that he harvested earlier this year sold out. However, he only sold a very small fraction of the watermelons in recent days. A large amount of watermelons were left to rot in the fields, he said.
The police said it was possible that someone spread the rumor to reap commercial benefit.
Anyone found spreading rumors on disasters or epidemic situations to purposefully disturb public order may face a detention from five to 10 days and a maximum fine of 500 yuan (US$62.50), according to the new law by the public security administration and punishment.
Watermelon is one of the most popular fruits in China.

Relatel information:

1. China Police
   
2. Qufu Tours