When the Boeing 737 owned by China Southern Airlines crashed in Shenzhen on Thursday, the news was instantly released. By next morning, details of the accident, casualty figures and pictures had been circulated round the world.
China has had an unblemished air safety record for three years, making the tragedy in which 35 died and 35 were injured even more of a blow for the authorities. But that did not stop the release of the news as soon as it was known.
This was testimony to a new openness, but that makes the cloak of secrecy which has been drawn subsequently over what caused the crash all the more evident. Four days after the accident, experts from Boeing, who have been waiting to inspect the wreckage, had still not been called in to investigate.
With wreckage spread over the area, and a clean-up operation under way, the chances of losing vital evidence are increased as time goes by. China had begun to cast off its reputation for frequent air crashes, thanks to improved safety standards and stricter regulations, but it must also show a willingness to co-operate in making plain what went wrong when accidents do occur. China's reputation for ensuring the safety of passengers will inevitably be damaged if the authorities do not liaise as closely and quickly as possible with experts to find out what went wrong on Flight CZ3456.
Accident procedure is laid down under guidelines from the international Convention on Civil Aviation. These need to be followed; otherwise, suspicions that the cause of the crash is being covered up will grow.
The crash may have been a freak accident. But it could have stemmed from a design fault or an engine malfunction. If that is the case, other aircraft could be affected. If not, concerns need to be laid to rest. Either way, the full facts should be brought out through a full, open inquiry. This is in everybody's interests, including those of China itself.