Those worrying about the negative impact the Ya’an earthquake might have on the economy need not fear, as it seems the sale of pickles is there to save the day.

Shortly after the earthquake occurred and the rescue operations commenced, Premier Li Keqiang arrived at site of the disaster zone to inspect the damage. At some point during his visit, someone managed to snap a candid photo of the Premier sitting down dining on some porridge in an aid tent, with the photo later going viral on Chinese social media.

In the photo, Li is seen adding a bit of flavor to his modest meal by reaching out with his chopsticks to a bag of Fuling Pickles, a well-known pickle brand whose sales shot up 7% in the days after the photo was released.

Many netizens have come to like the symbolic nature of the photograph—one of China’s highest officials eating the everyman’s snack in what seems to be a very approachable and low-key setting.

Is this proof that the Chinese government is keeping their word regarding their vows to tackle corruption and extravagance in official circles, or is this an example of clever or inadvertent product placement? The jury’s out on that one, though the Fuling Zhacai Group certainly can’t complain.

See also: Spring Airlines Force Attendants to Wear Demeaning Maid and Butler Outfits

Source: cn.wsj.com

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Keywords: Fuling pickle Ya’an earthquake Li Keqiang earthquake picture