To: China Daily English News Department

Dear Editor,

I have read the news article “Outrage over use of recycled condoms” dated 13 Nov by Zheng Caixiong.

I came to understand that this news article is based on reports from many local newspapers, which were written in Chinese. The original articles mentioned that condoms were used as material for making the rubber bands and there were quotes from doctor on the potential health threat in the case that the condoms were used by human and recycled.

However, the original articles never ever mention that the condoms which the rubber bands are made of are already ‘used’, in this case meaning ‘used as a condom by human’.

To my surprise, the article by China Daily started with the words ‘Used condoms’, which give people an impression that those condoms are already used by human and is later collected back and used for making rubber bands, which is a serious error.

Although I am disgusted by the news of condoms used to make rubber bands, I think using ‘used condoms’ give a much worse image to people, especially when it is not the actual fact.

I believe the reporter should have use some common sense as well, to imagine how could such a huge amout of condoms (in tens or hundreds of thousands) be collected back after being used.

This piece of news reported by China Daily has already been quoted by many international news agencies such as AFP, Melbourne Herald Sun, The Consumerist NY and Singapore’s Today. When China Government is trying hard to create a positive image on Chinese products, I believe this erroneous news report is doing the exact opposite.

As a fellow countryman I feel really sad while reading negative reports on Chinese products. And I feel worse when the report is exaggerated by China’s own media and is quoted by others. I hope this news report can be corrected immediately, though the damage is already done.

Regards,
Adam Zhang