A Communist Party survey released this week found a significant government credibility gap among Chinese citizens that appeared to be fueling social moral decay.

Pollsters asked Chinese citizens to list their top 10 concerns about the country. Number one on the list was a "crisis of credibility." Almost 60 percent of respondents said government officials didn't care about ordinary people. 

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People's Tribune magazine published by the Communist Party's official People's Daily authorized the survey. Not coincidentally, the magazine accompanied survey results with an article criticizing corrupt officials who were said to ruin party unity and create the conditions for social decay.

The survey said just more than half of citizens blamed the credibility crisis on "unethical behavior" by government officials that continued without repercussions. About 20 percent of respondents blamed a dog-eat-dog market economy for creating corruption.

Most of the top 10 concerns revolved around themes related to corruption.

Just fewer than half of those surveyed said a national "bystander" syndrome was a significant problem in society. That concern roughly translated into English as people being overly self-interested.

Other major concerns were based on trust issues. About 40 percent of people said "habitual distrust" of officials was a problem.

That issue was followed, in order, by lack of government credibility, food safety, medicine safety, and medical care, specifically doctor quality.

Just fewer than 40 percent said over-the-top wealth displays by government officials and wealthy people was a major issue. About 35 percent said over-indulgence and the pursuit of pleasure was a major problem.

Rounding out the top 10 problems of Chinese society were extreme, violent and antisocial behavior at number eight, relying too much on the Internet at number nine and masochism at number 10.

The survey took place from Aug. 22 to Sept. 2. More than 8,000 people were interviewed, 70 percent of them online. Thirty percent were interviewed randomly through written questionnaires.

Tagschina communist oarty, Chinese media, chinese polling, Chinese society, china surveys, social survey, societal values, Corruption in China