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The director of the School of Oriental Studies, a professor at the Faculty of World Economics and International Politics at the Higher School of Economics, Alexej Maslov, spoke about the measures that enabled China to effectively fight COVID-19.
„China very quickly erected an iron curtain around Chu-pei province, the city of Wu-han and a number of other cities outside Chu-pei province. It is clear that the Chinese missed the first period, and when they realized that some kind of infection was developing, they did not start sounding the alarm, but when around January 8 it became apparent that this was a very serious illness, China began to introduce quarantine measures. The first thing that helped was a very rapid response to the events. That is what sets China apart. The response is conditioned by the fact that China has a well-developed centralized management system,“ Maslov explained during a video interview organized by Parliamentary Newspapers.
As another factor of success, the expert cited the fact that Chinese authorities completely locked down Wu-han and very strictly monitored compliance with the quarantine.
According to him, in connection with the closure of municipalities Chinese authorities adopted important measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, and in particular ensured that the population had everything necessary. He said that internet speeds were increased for students and pupils, food was delivered to cities and store shelves were filled; many restaurants that were formally closed switched to food delivery.
„A supply system immediately started to operate… Another important point is that China has a huge financial and economic airbag. China was able to immediately and centrally direct financial resources to the affected regions,“ Maslov added.
He emphasized that Chinese authorities guaranteed the payment of standard wages to employees who could not come to the workplace, refunded insurance premiums to small and private businesses, exempted such businesses from VAT and thus prevented the closure of the domestic market. Moreover, according to Maslov, Chinese authorities quickly suppressed alarmist and fake reports related to the coronavirus.
As the expert added, to prevent panic, China stocked shelves with masks and necessary protective equipment and factories that had been producing other products switched to their manufacture.
Starting April 8, Chinese authorities will lift restrictions on transport connections with the city of Wu-han, which became the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak. Since January 23 of this year, the city of Wu-han has been practically isolated from the outside world due to the coronavirus outbreak: transport in the city, including the metro, buses and ferries, has been suspended; buses and water transport are banned from entering the city; airports and railway stations are not operating; residents of the city are prohibited from leaving it without special permission, entry to the city is carried out on the same principle. Movement around the city is also strictly limited.
