Subpar epidemic planning in Fanling is exploited by radicals who are ready to use every opportunity to revive a protest movement that is losing momentum
The Chinese government’s early response to the coronavirus outbreak was to tightly control information, hampering containment efforts. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the next time will be better.
An all-powerful government means a swift and effective quarantine but the same hierarchical system caused critical delays in containing the coronavirus. Likewise, the China model, so effective when the economy was nascent, has outlived its usefulness.
Mounting criticism of Beijing’s response to the outbreak and depictions of life in a society under lockdown puncture the image of China’s efficient, tech-invested regime. In Hong Kong, the crisis is exposing the fault lines of a divided city.
While some have pointed out that the global economy is more vulnerable to shocks to China’s economy than during the Sars outbreak, China today has more effective policy levers, deeper resources and better production capacity.
Hongkongers are scrambling to buy supplies while the Hong Kong government scrambles to respond to the public health crisis. A crisis is a real test of leadership – and the Carrie Lam administration seems to be failing.
Comparisons to Sars are understandable, as is the public’s reaction to the outbreak, but fear and containment cannot work in the long run, says Donald Low.
The Covid-19 epidemic is disrupting the global economy, supply chains and diplomatic events. Beijing likes to say that any event within its jurisdiction is an internal affair, but that clearly doesn’t apply in this case.
Out of the ashes of infection and death come fresh calls for freedom of speech, real pressure to cut bureaucracy and formalism, a will to fix problems rather than scapegoat outsiders, and the precious discovery that China has friends in its hour of need.
Comparisons to the Soviet-era meltdown are far-fetched, but there are lessons to be learned. Among them, the benefits of transparency, rule of law and a vibrant media.
Yonden Lhatoo strongly recommends listening to the recent rant by the city state’s trade minister, against panic-stricken citizens snapping up masks and stockpiling essential goods when there is no need to.
Compared to Sars in 2003, more is known about Covid-19, and more quickly, thanks to advances in science and technology and an improved awareness of the importance of data sharing and collaboration. And we continue to learn from current experience.
