Unlike most of Chinese movie of its time, this one does not have much social criticism in it, but rather, it is a realistic reflection of what had happened in the actual life. It is based on the true story that really happened, and it is about the new crime in the new era, for China, that is.
The reason it is called a "new crime in new era" for China is because prior to the reform, there was no jewelry store in China because private citizens were not allowed to own jewelry and besides, they could not afford the expensive luxury anyway. It was not until the reform did jewelry store reappeared in China, but for westerners, such things are common in the daily life, and thus the movie will unlikely to create any impression, unlike it did for Chinese audience when it was first premiered.