NEWS//Does Wuhan threaten Xi?
Confirmed cases of China’s coronavirus continue to grow. On January 28, the infected increased by nearly 60% overnight. It reached a total 4,500 infected Chinese. At least 106 people have died. On January 29, the number of confirmed cases jumped to 5,974. By comparison. The death toll rose to 132. That compares to the 348 people who were killed in China by SARS (2002-03).
This new virus threatens more than the health of China’s people, however. James Griffiths, a commentator for CNN, observes that the Wuhan coronavirus has the potential to threaten Chinese President Xi’s influence.
All-out effort
Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered "all-out efforts" to contain the virus' spread and treat those affected. Griffiths says “his intervention seemed to carry with it a clear message: the mistakes of SARS will not be repeated.”
The country’s health officials seem to take the president’s demands seriously. The threat response level is equivalent to that for outbreaks of plague or cholera. The prohibition of public transportation in several cities is an example.
Is all-out enough?
However, Griifths notes that “allegations of an initial -- and potentially even ongoing -- cover-up continue to hang over the Wuhan outbreak. This virus could have been China's chance to exorcise the ghosts of SARS once and for all, instead it may have exposed that, for all the progress in the past 17 years, fundamental flaws remain in place when it comes to handling a crisis like this -- ones that could result in far greater danger in future.”
The bottom line of Griffiths’ analysis is:
China learned hard lessons in 2003 at a terrible cost. The legacy of SARS could be seen in the central government's response this month, and that of Chinese scientists, both of which deserve a great deal of credit.
But Xi has also reversed gradual liberalization and opening up which occurred post-SARS, massively centralizing power within the Communist Party once again. At the same time, he has overseen a crackdown on the internet, the press and civil society, and an anti-corruption purge that, while it has turned out plenty of bad apples, may also have left provincial officials more afraid of angering Beijing.
Xi is the closest China has had to an emperor since Mao, but like the old saying goes, he's often far away. The Wuhan virus shows what happens when the country has to rely on information filtering up to the top for decisive action to be taken.
A related item
In a social media post by Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission government officials were warned that anyone who seeks to save their reputation (that is, who seeks to save “face”) rather than confront the dangers of the coronavirus should expect to suffer severe punishment.
Anyone who deliberately delays and hides the reporting of cases out of his or her own self-interest will be nailed on the pillar of shame for eternity. Anyone who puts the face of politicians before the interests of the people will be the sinner of a millennium to the party and the people [translation from CNN].
How interesting that the warning echoes themes from the Bible.