China deserves both blame and praise in fighting outbreak
- The world needs a more balanced assessment of Beijing’s handling of the coronavirus epidemic as fair criticism and proper acknowledgement will help its current containment efforts as well as future response to health crises
China has been roundly criticised around the world for unleashing a potential global pandemic. No doubt much of the criticism is warranted.
Ironically, though, Beijing’s current handling of the coronavirus epidemic has been more transparent than that of any previous health crisis, including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak in 2002-2003. To state this is not to absolve the country of responsibility but to make a more balanced judgment.
People should know that China is at least trying to act more responsibly. Knowing that may help calm irrational fears about the spread of the virus as well as discourage discrimination Chinese and even Asian-looking people now reportedly face overseas.
After the initial mishaps in Wuhan, Beijing has mobilised full national resources, published timely cases and data online, and shared genetic sequencing and other domestic medical studies about the virus with international health bodies and experts.
To bypass compromised and untrustworthy information provided by Wuhan officials, the central government has partially opened up social media and used big data methods to collect views and happenings on the ground. There is also the controversial draconian method of closing off multiple cities besides Wuhan.