Survey results released on Monday highlighted a trust crisis in China. The report, issued by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, pointed out that Chinese citizens in 2012 have a much lower level of trust than in previous years, scoring less than 60 points. Based on investigations into the psychological state of Chinese people, their degree of satisfaction with life, sense of security and equality as well as social recognition, the report warned that people's trust in society and their trust in personal connections are declining at an alarming rate.

The trust crisis is already clearly being felt within the country. The past year has witnessed a number of cases shedding light on the distrust between the public and officials, doctors and patients and police and residents.

People are now reluctant to offer help when elderly people fall to the ground.

Even government statements met with strong skepticism from the public, as shown in the case of Zhou Kehua, a serial killer shot dead by police in Chongqing.

Rapid development and social transition have made China undergo drastic social change, intensifying conflicts among diverse interest groups. People tend to see themselves as the disadvantaged side in social disputes.

For example, in doctor-patient disputes, the patients view themselves as getting the raw end of the deal, due to the difficulty of receiving medical services and the high costs of treatment, while doctors believe that they are overloaded and misunderstood by the patients.

Each group has its own concerns and anxieties. In essence, the deepening distrust among them is because the interests of these groups aren't equally guaranteed. Worse, slow reactions to social incidents by officials and attempts to cover up scandals based on old management styles tarnish government credibility.

The growing crisis of trust is a very dangerous trend that needs special attention. If all of society is overwhelmed by negative feelings, a small incident could trigger strong collective discontent and aggravate social conflict.

Any country or regime can be tested by trust crises. A recent article in the Economist pointed out that countries like the US, Japan and European countries all had credibility crises in 2012, and predicted that public confidence in politics in these countries would hit a new low in 2013.

People's dissatisfaction with stagnant economies has led to distrust in political systems and the traditional Western belief of "freedom promoting development."

Development brings China opportunities as well as challenges. Those problems generated in the process of development should be solved through development and gradual reform. An equal and fair mechanism must be established before the society is hit hard by crises of trust.