Jiangshan County Sparks Backlash Over $1.26 Million TV Show Spend

2 articles · Updated · South China Morning Post · Jun 21

8.5 million yuan ($1.26 million) in public funds was used by Jiangshan county to bring the reality show Keep Running to film an episode there, according to a government procurement notice.
The spending drew sharp criticism because Jiangshan is cash-strapped and China’s broader economic slowdown has left many local governments under mounting fiscal pressure.
Weibo users questioned whether the project would generate enough consumption to justify the cost, arguing the money should have gone to infrastructure, subsidies, teachers and healthcare workers instead.
The backlash highlights growing public scrutiny of local government spending as weaker growth and tighter budgets force trade-offs over basic services and promotional projects.