COVID-19 is a different issue for China today

Mar 18, 2020

China and other parts of Asia are scrambling to prevent the new coronavirus from coming back to where it first broke out. China has also sent medical gear and doctors to help other impacted countries.

apne.wsIn role reversal, Asia seeks to stop virus from coming inBEIJING (AP) — From quarantining travelers from overseas to nabbing those sneaking in with fevers, China and other parts of Asia are scrambling to prevent the new coronavirus from coming back to...

Wuhan has become just like so many other cities in the world: requiring returnees from overseas to undergo quarantine, as the COVID-19 pandemic has gone global from its origins there. As a result, China is now among the countries that have stepped up border patrols, as the big story of 2020 circles the planet amidst plenty of ironies:

NBC Sports Soccer @NBCSportsSoccer

Wuhan Zall of the Chinese Super League leaving Spain to return home, as they aim to escape coronavirus after being stuck in Spain as a preseason trip lasted over 6 weeks soccer.nbcsports.com/2020/03/14/wuh…

But the experience of China now becomes a barometer for what other countries might be able to expect amidst the coronavirus—and whether it can be stopped in its tracks:

Nature @nature

Nature talked to epidemiologists about whether the lockdowns in China really worked, if encouraging people to avoid large gatherings would have been enough, and what other countries can learn from China’s experience. #COVID19

go.nature.comWhat China’s coronavirus response can teach the rest of the worldResearchers are studying the effects of China’s lockdowns to glean insights about controlling the viral pandemic.

China’s state planner says the economy there will return to normal in the second quarter. Government data showed that January and February retail sales fell by 20.5 per cent, and factory workers being told to stay home resulted in a 13.5 per cent decline. Reuters reported on a wary return to shops as new COVID-19 cases dropped.

“Chinese Virus” goes viral

Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump

The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before!

President Donald Trump defended his decision to “call it where it came from” in tweets that blamed COVID-19 on China—on the grounds that Chinese state media is accusing the U.S. military of creating and spreading the pathogen. Beijing believes that Trump is smearing the country, even though their diplomats also promoted the theory:

SCMP News @SCMPNews

Donald Trump’s reference to ‘Chinese virus’ smeared our country, says Beijing

scmp.comTrump’s reference to ‘Chinese virus’ was a smear, says BeijingForeign ministry expresses ‘strong anger’ over US President’s comments about Covid-19 outbreak.

The perception from outside China, though, is a new spin cycle for propaganda is here.

Scenes from a media war

NPR @NPR

China says it will pull press credentials of American journalists based in China that work for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. The move comes after the U.S. told Chinese media entities to slash their U.S.-based staff.

trib.alChina Pulls Credentials From Journalists At 3 Major U.S. PublicationsBeijing ordered certain staff at The New York Times, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal to halt reporting inside China, in retaliation for a State Department move against Chinese outlets.

Journalists from three U.S. newspapers had their Chinese press credentials revoked, a ban which extends to reporting from Hong Kong and Macao, in the latest escalation of a conflict that found the number of Chinese state media reporters capped by the White House, in retaliation for Wall Street Journal journalists getting thrown out of China.

Amy Qin @amyyqin

China is expelling all American journalists w/the NYT, WSJ & WaPo — myself included. So many feelings, but I keep coming back to my last trip, to Wuhan, where ppl were so willing to talk - they wanted the world to know what was happening to them and to hold their govt accountable

Amy Qin @amyyqin

Just arrived in Wuhan, the epicenter of the coronavirus outbreak, which has been under lockdown for more than a week now. The mood among locals: anxiety, flashes of anger & frustration, and extreme boredom. Here I am getting my temperature measured in a hotel lobby. https://t.co/vh8lGR0Ia8

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Going deep inside TikTok

The Intercept @theintercept

Leaked documents reveal the China-based social media company has policies censoring various forms of political speech, and instructed moderators to suppress posts by “ugly” people and the poor to attract new users.

interc.ptTikTok Told Moderators: Suppress Posts by the “Ugly” and PoorThe China-based social media company also has policies censoring various forms of political speech, leaked documents reveal.

While social distancing may help increase youthful enthusiasm for the Chinese-owned video app, an exposé from The Intercept revealed policies designed to suppress attention to user clips of people and places that weren’t so slick. TikTok responded to the report by saying these were moderator guidelines designed to prevent bullying.

The revelations surfaced soon after another bit of TikTok news, amidst privacy concerns:

Gizmodo @Gizmodo

TikTok says it'll no longer moderate overseas content with China-based staff, according to a new report. gizmo.do/EEtd0iR

Fresh scrutiny over ZTE

Reuters @Reuters

ZTE says it has not been notified of alleged U.S. bribery investigation reut.rs/33sQeNm

NBC News reported that Chinese telecom giant ZTE is the subject of a bribery investigation by the U.S. Justice Department—which the company said was news to itself. ZTE pleaded guilty in 2017 to evading American embargoes by buying U.S. components and shipping them to Iran, something Huawei was also accused of.

The last words, for now

COVID-19 now means that much of the world has stopped going to movie theatres. But the curve flattening in China meant that the Zhongying Golden Palm Cinema in Urumqi was allowed to open with second-run flicks, including two that praised the Communist party. The movie selection might’ve benefitted from more mass appeal:

IndieWire @IndieWire

China Opens First Movie Theater Since Coronavirus Shut Down, but No One Shows Up bit.ly/2TTyes4

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