Credibility and morality are the underpinnings of society, in which traditional virtues have been promoted by our culture for several thousand years. However, in today's China, the social ethics and moral standards, essential to maintaining sound interpersonal relations and stability, have virtually collapsed.

A logo of social credibility issued by Shanghai Government

Across the board, from education to health services, businesses and so on, every sector suffers from the lack of credibility. Buyers and sellers, companies and staff, government and civilians alike, where there are groups of people, there is the loss of morality.

Cyber fraud, anonymous slander, false diplomas, unsafe food and environmental pollution — all these sordid issues originate from the lack of personal credibility and the loss of social morality. Sadly enough, nearly all Chinese people have experienced some kind of treachery or cheating in their lives.

The problem has already become a significant obstacle hindering our social progress and economic development. Worse — it's shaken our political foundation. If prompted alone by the pursuit for money, people will do anything fraudulent and irresponsible, and subsequently society is doomed to fall into chaos.

Being concerned about this, the Chinese government has launched various campaigns including the "Eight Honors and Eight Disgraces." Think-tank scholars advise that Chinese national culture and Confucian thoughts should be further advocated, and in the meantime gratitude should be stressed. But all these efforts have turned out to be ineffective.

Nowadays, it's very difficult to remedy the lack of personal credibility and the decline of social morality. Traditional education of law and standards has proved inadequate. No real effect will be achieved unless vigorous measures are taken.

The whole world has stepped into the age of information. It's high time the government sets up an internet information database that categorizes personal identity cards that will enable citizens to review other citizens' credibility. Contents of the database can cover illegal activities, labor employments, tax payments, traffic violations and credit reports. All the individuals must act in society with their real identities disclosed. Every citizen's behavior must be put under the supervision of the whole society, leaving no room for any individual who lacks credibility and morality to conceal their identity.

Needless to say, a severe punishment should be imposed on those who collect and trade personal information for money. With such a system, job seekers and employers can know the credibility of each other before entering into a contract.