sense of self-pride prevented people to realize that.
Actually there are info assymmetry between the Free World (which include HK, most of Europe, US and Japan) and China. The outbreak of SARs and the cover-up in early stage by China gov is a direct evidence on that. When everyone in the free world knew there was SARs there, most people back in China have no clue at all, either in the press or on the internet back in China.
People are brain-washed to believe that they are not brain-washed......
Here I am not saying that the press in US are fully objective, but at least one can easily see both sides of stories for the same issue EASILY. Uncle Sam can not shut down noise....