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Li’s death in February 2020 prompted an outpouring of public grief and anger. Photo: EPA-EFE

Chinese internet users pay tribute to Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang on second anniversary of Covid-19 warning

  • Weibo users honour memory of doctor who was punished for warning classmates about the disease that later killed him
  • The medic’s death prompted a public outcry and now his social media account has become a place for people to share thoughts they cannot express elsewhere
Thousands of Chinese internet users have left messages on the Weibo account of Li Wenliang, the doctor punished for alerting his colleagues to the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, to mark the second anniversary of his warning.

On December 30, 2019, Li, who worked as an ophthalmologist at the Wuhan Central Hospital, posted a message on a WeChat group warning his classmates from medical school about an outbreak of undiagnosed pneumonia at his hospital.

12 months on, many patients in Wuhan find their Covid-19 symptoms persist

A screenshot of his post was leaked and circulated online on December 31, a day before the local health authority made an official announcement saying that 27 cases of viral pneumonia of an unknown cause had been detected.

On January 1, Wuhan police said they were punishing eight people for “spreading rumours”, including Li.

Later that month, the doctor became infected by the virus and died in hospital on February 7, prompting an intense public outcry.
His death became the focus for public anger about the initial chaotic response to the outbreak and the lack of transparency from the authorities.

Currently, there are more than a million comments on his Weibo account, with many people posting messages on Thursday that read: “Happy New Year, Dr Li.”

Others spoke about their daily lives or the latest developments in the pandemic, expressing their hopes and frustrations. “Two years ago it’s Wuhan. Now it’s Xian. This year hopefully is the last year with the virus,” one said.

02:19

Wuhan residents commemorate doctor who raised alarm over coronavirus, a year after his death

Wuhan residents commemorate doctor who raised alarm over coronavirus, a year after his death

“When the pandemic erupted, I had just become pregnant, now my daughter is 16 months old,” another said. “I don’t find living enjoyable and easy, but we must live on anyway. We don’t know each other, but I needed a ‘tree hole’ to talk into.”

Fang Kecheng, assistant professor of journalism at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said Li’s Weibo had become a “tree-hole”– a phrase referring to an old custom of whispering secrets that cannot be expressed elsewhere into the hollow of a tree – for many people in China today.

“In any society there needs to be a place that lets people express themselves anonymously, especially in today’s China, as the space for public discourse has been compressed. In the face of online violence and pressure from snitching, many people are afraid to speak out publicly.”

He said some commentators are using Li’s Weibo to express their hopes for greater transparency, but most of those commenting have gone beyond the pandemic and are simply looking for a place where they can express their emotions in an oppressive environment.

01:29

Widow of Chinese coronavirus whistle-blower doctor Li Wenliang gives birth to son

Widow of Chinese coronavirus whistle-blower doctor Li Wenliang gives birth to son

China still maintains a zero-covid policy, stifling each virus outbreak with a policy of strict quarantine and mass testing.

On Thursday, the country reported 207 new cases, including 155 in Xian and 51 imported cases.

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