Our Apology to Whistleblowers on the Shanghai School Meal Scandals and Yu Menglong Case

Apology and Statement to Our Readers

To all the whistleblowers and readers who have reached out to us regarding the Shanghai school meal scandals and the Yu Menglong case in China:

We want to express our deepest gratitude for the courage and trust you have shown by sharing materials, testimonies, and concerns with us through various channels. We have received many submissions, and we recognize the effort and risks involved in bringing these matters to light.

After careful review, we must acknowledge with regret that—even though many of the submissions appear highly credible—we have not found a reliable, independent way to verify the information or the original submitter. Without this, we are unable to responsibly publish at this time.

We recognize that behind these cases lies a broader and more troubling issue: the way crony capitalism fosters systemic injustice and allows harm to persist unchallenged. This is not lost on us, and it deepens our respect for those who continue to speak out despite the difficulties.

While we cannot publish now, we send our condolences and concern to those directly impacted, and we thank our readers for your ongoing support, trust, and vigilance. Your voices matter, and they remind us why truth and accountability are worth striving for.

With respect and sincerity, Xia