China’s COVID-19 Pandemic: A Failure of Preparation and Transparency?
The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated families across China. Despite the government’s efforts to control it, many have lost loved ones due to inadequate preparation. Some analysts suggest that this could be a turning point for President Xi Jinping and the Communist Party, raising questions about their legitimacy.
The situation in China remains dire, with the virus spreading to older individuals and communities in rural areas, causing preventable deaths. President Xi and the Communist Party may not face accountability for handling the pandemic.
In the early years of the pandemic, many were surprised by the Chinese public’s acceptance of strict lockdown measures, such as the lockdown of nearly 25 million people in Shanghai in 2022. The government implemented this “zero-covid” strategy as a large-scale practical experiment, which saved lives in a country with a weak healthcare system. However, as the Omicron variant of the virus became more prevalent, these measures became ineffective, and people grew weary of them.
The government’s control over information hinders efforts to assess the situation accurately. The lack of opposition and a free press allows conflicting information to be released without challenge. Additionally, the government’s focus on nationalism led them to reject advanced vaccines from the European Union and spread misinformation about the efficacy of imported vaccines.
Efforts to seek transparency and verify reports of COVID-19 deaths that far exceed official statistics met with hostility and accusations of ill intent. This lack of transparency also contributes to widespread cynicism and scepticism among the public regarding official pandemic statistics.
It is important to note that public opinion in China is diverse. State media reports often depict heroic doctors and nurses, but there is also significant cynicism and disbelief towards official information. This is exemplified by recent shortages of essential fever-reducing medicines in pharmacies and clinics.
