Tourist secretly records chilling train announcement in China, sparks Twitter debate

A traveller has shared footage of an unusual train announcement to Twitter — and the creepy public warning has hammered home the frightening reality of China's controversial new Social Credit System for many Twitter users.

UK-based journalist James O'Malley was en route to Shanghai with his partner at the time of the announcement, and discreetly recorded it.

In the footage, a female voice can be heard over a PA system, threatening misbehaving commuters with punishment and a negative credit record.

"Dear passengers, people who travel without a ticket, or behave disorderly, or smoke in public areas, will be punished according to regulations, and the behaviours will be recorded in individual credit information system," the voice explains.

"To avoid a negative record of personal credit please follow the relevant regulations and help with the orders on the train and at the station."

The footage is reminiscent of George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four, in which citizens are under constant surveillance by the symbolic figure Big Brother.