If the 2008 global financial crisis had a ‘Made in America’ stamp, wherein questions were asked of the US leadership and its model of finance-capitalism, the ongoing coronavirus crisis carries an indelible ‘Made in China’ stamp. Similar to the attention placed on subprime mortgage lending over a decade ago, questions have been asked about the Chinese government's accountability and responsibility for this virus, which began in Wuhan. Discussions surrounding Covid-19 not only centre around how to defeat this pandemic, but how it spread across international borders.
In response, China has attempted to deflect criticism and change the narrative–both domestically and internationally–at every turn so as to not undermine its bid for global power. Yet, there is insurmountable evidence that China hid facts in the early days of virus, silenced and reprimanded doctors who sounded alarm bells, and refused to share information with other countries in time, and used its influence to pressure the WHO into underplaying the threat and evidence of human-to-human transmission.
Although China claims that it informed the WHO of an unknown illness on 31 January, the first patient was diagnosed on December 12. While Chinese authorities focused their attention on reprimanding doctors, health officials confirmed 26 new cases. After 7 health workers became infected in early January, there was evidence of human-to-human transmission. Yet, on January 14, the WHO announced that Chinese authorities had not presented any evidence of such transmissions. In addition, the fact that the first cases of the virus outside China were transported by Chinese citizens proves that many of the 5 million people that left Wuhan before it was put under lockdown, ended up overseas. For instance, the US' first confirmed case was a Wuhan resident and arrived in the US one day after the Chinese government denied human to human transmission. China only suspended group travel with China on January 24 and only suspended group travel to foreign countries on January 27, and had still not limited individual travel to foreign countries at that point. Within a few days, the impact of allowing essentially free movement and outflow of unscreened individuals was felt worldwide. In fact, several nations that are now dealing with the most infections and deaths–such as the US, Italy, and countries in East and Southeast Asia–received large numbers of Chinese visitors.
One can't help but wonder as to how many lives, both within China and outside, could have been saved had China listened to its medical experts instead of silencing them. Research now shows that had Chinese authorities had taken proactive measures just three weeks earlier than they did, the number of cases could have been reduced by up to 95%, with a far more limited geographical spread.
Nevertheless, there is a danger of labelling the coronavirus as the 'Chinese Virus', as US President Donald Trump and his administration have done on multiple occasions now. In trying to hold the Chinese government leadership accountable, this inadvertently conflates the CCP with the Chinese people, and people of Chinese origin. Moreover, this not only affects Chinese people and people of Chinese origin and descent but also Asian people and people of Asian origin and descent as a whole, many of whom have been victims of racist attacks across the globe in this ongoing pandemic. There are multiple reports of racial slurs and physical attacks. Such acts cement racial divisions and undermine international cooperation in containing the spread of this virus, and simultaneously strengthen the CCP's efforts to deflect attention from its failures of governance.
Whenever anyone tries to hold China accountable, it accuses them of slandering and stigmatizing China and demands an apology. For example, the chairman for the Stockholm Free World Forum, who is a former MP of the EU, wrote an article calling for China to "apologize to the world" and was in turn furiously attacked by the Chinese Embassy in Sweden.
While terming Covid-19 as the 'Chinese Virus' is counterproductive to international efforts to contain what is now a global pandemic, criticism surrounding this narrative somewhat ignores the role of the Chinese state and risks creating the impression that China is blameless, leading to an implicit exoneration. While there is a need to re-examine the terminology surrounding this narrative, criticism of it does a disservice to the Chinese doctors, health workers, and citizens that have risked their lives fighting this virus in the face of significant roadblocks placed by Chinese authorities. The Chinese communist regime must not be allowed to rewrite history and whitewash the role of its ineptitude, dishonesty and negligence in unleashing of this deadly virus on the world. Therefore, critics of the CCP must find a way to disentangle their valid critiques of the Chinese government's culpability and responsibility for the spread of the virus from the racial undertones guiding their criticisms. Otherwise, they risk turning this compelling narrative into a shouting match, in which they are not able to hold Chinese leadership accountable.
Furthermore, despite the fact that the Chinese government is now beginning to significantly contain the virus and has acknowledged the severity of the situation, it still continues to cover up its missteps even today. A report by Caixin Global, an independent and respected publication, reveals that Chinese scientists and health officials have been ordered to destroy proof of the virus existing in the early parts of December. Regional health officials have destroyed lab samples in Wuhan, alongside the complete clearance and sanitization of the city's seafood market, leaving no chance of any cross-examination or study. Therefore, combating the Chinese government’s lies and propaganda isn’t separate from the fight against the virus–it is a part of that fight.
Chinese spokespersons and high-ranking diplomats have launched massive disinformation campaigns. State officials, media anchors, and even the spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs openly float conspiracy theories blaming the US Army for bioengineering and smuggling the virus into China. In fact, MFA spokespersons are now pushing the narrative that the virus has existed in both Italy and the US for months now, as a residue from the flu season. Such claims aren't just found in the deep recesses of Chinese media either. Even heads of state, like the Ayatollah of Iran, have used these statements to take potshots at the Trump administration.
Unfortunately, however, there is a great chance that the failures of the Chinese government will be viewed less harshly in light of the failure of other countries to respond effectively. As the virus spreads to the far reaches of the world, and the number of cases within its own borders dwindles, Beijing has effectively used the devastation in the US and parts of Europe to project itself as a global leader in fighting the coronavirus and offered itself as a partner in fighting the disease. China has drawn praise for its containment efforts and its humanitarian aid to other countries; however, this praise ignores that China's authoritarian censorship is what contributed to transforming the coronavirus from a regional concern to a global pandemic in the first place.
Should the one who started the fire should really be praised for acting like a firefighter later?
Ultimately, the ever-decreasing number of confirmed cases in China makes it a vital ally in fighting this pandemic. However, while China has no doubt responded effectively on containing the virus after its numerous, initial failures, there is a danger of China using its critical supply chains to weaponize trade and leverage its supplies and aid buy the silence of other nations. For example, it has previously threatened to cut imports to the Philippines if the travel ban is not lifted. Additionally, officials have posted tweets and hinted at withholding medical supply chain ingredients.
Ultimately, while labelling the coronavirus the 'Chinese Virus', might not be inherently racist, the undertones guiding such a narrative undoubtedly are, and affect only Chinese people, but all Asians across the globe. However, there there is simultaneously a need to hold a regime that has routinely and dangerously forgone critical analysis and vital disease control and prevention measures accountable for its actions that have led to the spread of Covid-19. Ironically, those who wish to stifle Trump's narrative unknowingly deflect attention from the Chinese government's role in allowing the disease to spread and are in fact guilty of the same thing they are trying to protect against–equating the Chinse regime with the people who live under it.
Image Source: NPR