China’s aggressive approach to coronavirus criticism ‘not working’
- Observers call for Beijing to reflect on shortcomings of its engagement with the rest of the world as international sympathy fades
- Mask diplomacy and bellicose statements need to go if global relations are to improve, they say
The calls for Beijing to rethink its engagement with the rest of the world are part of a broader discussion taking place domestically and overseas as the world’s second largest economy maps out its long-term role as a responsible stakeholder on the global stage.
China is now the world’s largest supplier of masks, protective gowns and other medical equipment in the fight against Covid-19, after bringing the disease largely under control at home. But, only a couple of months ago, the situation was reversed.
Official data showed China imported more than 2 billion masks and 25 million protective gowns between January 24 and February 29 – its darkest hour in the coronavirus fight – as it became the world’s largest buyer of protective products to meet the grave shortages of medical supplies at home.
Some of those imports were sourced from foreign companies operating in China, which were quietly approached by the Chinese government for help and asked to keep the transactions low key, according to a foreign businessman involved in the deal.