Opinion | Coronavirus shows the US and China are sailing in the same boat and share similar national security concerns

The US reported its first coronavirus case soon after Beijing broke its silence on the outbreak, indicating how many Americans travel to China

The disease has also highlighted the need to overcome the mistrust of and racism towards Chinese in the US

Reading Time:4 minutes

Published: 9:00am, 3 Feb 2020Updated: 5:07pm, 15 Feb 2020

I first went to Wuhan in 1938, when my family and I moved there seeking safety from the ongoing war with Japan. At the time, the population of the city was about two million. One of my most striking memories of our time there was the sight of a train full of wounded Chinese soldiers crying out for help.

My mother gave the soldiers the food she had prepared for us. Now, 80 years later, Wuhan is facing a crisis of a different sort, and its impact is being felt worldwide.

Little more than two weeks ago, the No 1 news story about China concerned the signing of the “phase one” trade deal that halted the ongoing trade war with the United States. While leaders in both countries had hoped to take a victory lap after the signing, the rapid spread of the coronavirus ended any such aspirations.

While the 18-month-long trade war had demonstrated to many the interconnectedness of the American and Chinese economies, the coronavirus has in a fraction of that time been a much clearer teacher.

While the business ramifications are likely to be serious, although may not be felt for months, the personal ties between the US and China have also been laid bare by the virus. The coronavirus outbreak became a priority issue between the two countries after the Chinese government made key announcements about the virus on January 19.

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