IN FOCUS
By Avishka Ashok

Hong Kong: The sudden surge in COVID-19 cases

On 6 March, Hong Kong city recorded over 31,008 new cases of the coronavirus and 153 deaths despite the government’s active efforts in curbing the spread by adhering to the strict norms under the dynamic zero covid strategy. In January 2022, the South China Morning Post reported on China’s zero-COVID policy and predicted that ‘a tsunami-like outbreak is highly unlikely.’ However, the situation in Hong Kong is severe and requires immediate attention.

What is the current situation?
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the city recorded 1554 deaths, out of which 1341 deaths occurred in 2022. Queen Elizabeth hospital, one of the largest facilities in the city, is brimming with patients while there is a scarcity of available rooms. Isolation rooms are being allotted only in severe cases. The strain on the medical system is rising, with most hospitals facing a similar situation. The government is now building an additional moratorium that can hold 800 units, as the mortuaries in the hospitals are also running out of space.

Immunization of the elderly is another challenge. Only 48 per cent of the elderly populace above the age of 70 have been double vaccinated, while only 25 per cent of the people over 80 years have been completely vaccinated. The elderly are highly at risk due to the relentless spread of the current wave of the coronavirus. The cases have spread across 750 elderly care facilities in the city.

The sudden surge in cases has caused an unexpected shortage in medical staff, labour, public transport, mall operators, postal services, supermarkets and pharmacies. Most restaurants and other essential stores have also been forced to shut down due to the shortage of manpower and the rising cases amongst employees.

The government strategy
In its most recent effort, the Chief Secretary for Administration John Lee announced the plan to conduct mass tests since health experts in the city claim that over 15 per cent of the population may already be infected with the virus. John Lee also asked the citizens to not cause panic during the testing period and informed the public that the government had efficiently planned the testing schedule and were working to ensure an uninterrupted flow of food and other supplies in the city. He also posted that the central government will be constructing nine projects that will add 50,000 beds in the city by March end or in April and help in isolating the patients from spreading the virus.

The government has declared the elderly population as a public health priority after the care homes turned into hotspots. The authorities also reduced the waiting period between the first and second dose of the vaccine from 28 days to 21 days.

The government has also implemented strict restrictions on gathering in public, closed public avenues and banned flights into the city from the US and the UK. Chief Executive Carrie Lam announced that the city would not go into a full-blown lockdown but will adhere to the strict restrictions for the coming weeks. Financial Secretary Paul Chan also reiterated that the financial markets will continue to stay open despite the restrictions. Stocks, derivatives, bonds, currencies and foreign exchange will be given priority over others to ensure the smooth functioning of the economy.

References:
“Hong Kong residents urged not to panic ahead of COVID mass testing,” Reuters, 6 March 2022
“Hong Kong can still achieve 'Covid zero': Chief Secretary John Lee,” The Straits Times, 2 March 2022
“Hong Kong: What went wrong with its Covid plan? ,” BBC News, 23 February 2022
“‘No light at the end’: How Hong Kong’s Covid response went so wrong,” The Guardian, 18 February 2022

IN BRIEF
By Keerthana Nambiar and Dincy Adlakha

INTERNAL
Ethnic issues: President Xi expresses faith in zero tolerance of mishandling ethnic issues
On 7 March, The Straits Times reported on an event held by the National People’s Congress headed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. He reinforced faith in zero tolerance of missteps in ethnic issues and encouraged ethnic harmony in the country. He said to a delegation in Inner Mongolia: “Only when all ethnic groups live in unity and harmony can there be a prosperous country, a stable society and a happy people. Without ethnic unity and harmony, the country would decline, society would be destabilised and the people would suffer.” (“Xi warns missteps on ethnic issues would 'destabilise' China,” The Straits Times, 7 March 2022)

Protecting Chinese abroad: Foreign Minister recounts China’s commitment to citizens in foreign countries 
On 7 March. The Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed a press conference and reiterated China’s commitment to protecting its citizens in foreign countries. Wang Yi said: “China goes all out to protect the safety and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese nationals abroad. Serving the people and addressing their concerns is a bounden duty of China's diplomacy.” He also spoke about the “Spring Sprout” vaccine program which enabled millions of  Chinese citizens to access vaccines around the world. Wang Yi also revealed that the country had successfully protected its citizens in 60,000 cases of consular protection and assistance. (“China goes all out to protect Chinese nationals abroad: FM,” Xinhua Net, 7 March 2022)

REGIONAL
China and Taiwan conflict: Australian Defence Minister defends its stance on the Chinese aggression in Taiwan
On 7 March, Business Standard reported on Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton remarks on Chinese aggression on Taiwan. Dutton drew comparisons from Russian invasion in Ukraine and China's stance on the issue.  He said: " I think we do whatever we can to deter China from acts of aggression in our region." He also stepped back from his earlier stance on Australia defending Taiwan in the period of conflict. Dutton confirmed that the Australian government will decide "at that time as to what was in our country’s best interests”. ("We do whatever we can to deter China: Australian Defence Minister," Business Standard, 7 March 2022)

ECONOMY
Trade: China’s trade increases in January and February before dipping in the last week
On 7 March, the customs data revealed that China’s exports jumped by 16.3 per cent to USD 544.7 billion and the imports increased by 15.5 per cent to USD 428.7 billion, when compared to the previous year’s data. The data showed that the trade had nearly doubled in the first two months of the year. However, there is a slight depression in the trade since the beginning of the tensions on the Russia-Ukraine border. Chinese economists are expecting a further surge in oil prices and a slowdown in trade due to the war-like conditions in Eastern Europe. The report also revealed that despite the trade war with the US, exports to the US had risen by 13.8 per cent when compared to the data from the previous year. (“China’s trade rose in Jan.-Feb., before Russia invaded Ukraine,” The Asahi Shimbun, 7 March 2022)

INTERNATIONAL
China-Russia ties: Chinese Foreign Minister comments on China-Russia friendship
On 7 March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi commented on China-Russia relations in the annual news conference on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress meeting. Wang said: "China's friendship with Russia is rock solid and the prospects of cooperation are very broad," reported Reuters. ("China says friendship with Russia is 'rock solid' " Reuters, 7 March 2022)

Sino-US relations: Foreign Minister calls for the US to return to healthy bilateral relations 
On 7 March, the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi addressed a press conference during the fifth session of the 13th National People’s Congress and called for the US to get back on a pragmatic and reasonable policy on China and work towards re-establishing healthy and stable bilateral relations. Wang said: “China and the United States must replace the "competitive-collaborative-adversarial" trichotomy with the three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.” He condemned the unhealthy competition between the top two GDPs of the world and explained that a zero-sum game would be a wrong approach in the current era of globalization. (“Chinese FM urges bringing China-U.S. relations back on right track,” Xinhua Net, 7 March 2022)

Global Development Initiative: Foreign Minister reveals China’s readiness to work with other countries on the initiative 
On 7 March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reiterated China’s commitment to the Global Development Initiative. He said: “China stands ready to work with other countries to implement the Global Development Initiative (GDI).” Wang Yi emphasized the primary goal of the initiative, which is facilitating the execution of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He also stressed the importance of having the people at the centre of all the activities and development. China wishes to focus on poverty reduction, food security, economic recovery, employment, health and green development through the initiative. (“China ready to work with world to implement Global Development Initiative: FM,” Xinhua Net, 7 March 2022)

Ukraine: China sends humanitarian aid to Ukraine and displays support to Russia
On 7 March, The Straits Times reported Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s statement on providing faith in “rock solid” ties with Russia. He said: “No matter how precarious and challenging the international situation may be, China and Russia will maintain a strategic focus and steadily advance our comprehensive strategic partnership and coordination.” On the same day, Xinhua News Agency also reported that China’s Red Cross Society will provide emergency humanitarian support through supplies to Ukraine. This support will be rendered as long as it is possible for China. (“China affirms Russia ties, accuses US of building Pacific Nato,” The Straits Times, 7 March 2022; “China Red Cross Society to provide emergency humanitarian aid for Ukraine,” Xinhua Net, 7 March 2022)