The story of the unitary, all-powerful central government worked in the past, but it is failing to keep up with today’s complex realities. Such an oversimplified message undermines people’s confidence in tough times and provides a convenient tool for unjustified criticism of China.
In China, the metaphor of Covid-19 as a mirror that reflects a society’s failings was deployed to critique other countries. However, in recent months, as China grappled with its own outbreaks, shortcomings at home have been revealed that have strained social cohesion.