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Coronavirus and governance
The Covid-19 epidemic has proved a severe test of governments’ ability to overcome a crisis, particularly in China, where the outbreak started and where more than 2,900 people have died. For Hong Kong, the public health emergency comes as it is mired in its most serious political crisis to date. Over the past month, many Post columnists and contributors have provided valuable insights into the governance challenge. While views may differ, they are agreed on one point: the scale of the challenge is immense. Here is a selection of our best commentaries.
Updated: 08 Sep, 2020
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[1]
My Take | Quarantine furore says much about what’s wrong with HK
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
27 Jan, 2020
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[2]
Opinion | How China’s Communist Party worsened coronavirus crisis
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.
29 Jan, 2020
[3]
Opinion | How the coronavirus is exposing the ills of the China model
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.
31 Jan, 2020
[4]
Opinion | Coronavirus is testing the limits of China’s, and Hong Kong’s, preparedness
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.
06 Feb, 2020
[5]
Opinion | Why China’s economy is more resilient now than during Sars
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.
10 Feb, 2020
[6]
Opinion | A shortage of masks, toilet paper and leadership hits Hong Kong
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.
10 Feb, 2020
[7]
Opinion | Why we might have to accept that the coronavirus could be here to stay
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.
11 Feb, 2020
[8]
Six ways the coronavirus crisis will change China’s relations with the outside world
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.
19 Feb, 2020
[9]
Opinion | How China is finding the silver lining in the coronavirus crisis
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.
21 Feb, 2020
[10]
China Briefing | Coronavirus is a wake-up call for China’s autocratic style of rule
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.
22 Feb, 2020
[11]
Just Saying | Singapore ‘idiot’s guide’ to coronavirus control: don’t do it like Hong Kong
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.
22 Feb, 2020
[12]
Opinion | Coronavirus cooperation shows a world better prepared to hunt down disease
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.
24 Feb, 2020
