The war of the gods and demons10/29/2022 ![]() ![]() The allusions to demons by the head of the world's largest socialist regime, together with the names given to the military hospitals run by the People Liberation's Army, which are borrowed from ancient Chinese religion and mythology, are unexpected. ![]() Completed in just 2 weeks, the first hospital received the name Fire God Mountain Hospital ( Huoshenshan yiyuan 火神山醫院) and the second, Thunder God Mountain Hospital ( Leishenshan yiyuan 雷神山醫院). A few days earlier, construction had started on two COVID-19 hospitals in Wuhan. ![]() “The epidemic is a demon and we cannot let this demon hide 疫情是魔鬼,我们不能让魔鬼藏匿,” declared Chinese president Xi Jinping on January 28, 2020. I argue that, by combining the most advanced technology with a religious heritage, Xi Jinping is skillfully creating an image of himself not only as powerful and modern, but also as a leader undeniably rooted in Chinese tradition.ġ SCIENCE, DEMONS, AND GODS IN THE BATTLE AGAINST THE COVID-19 EPIDEMIC As part of his response, Xi Jinping also honored gods of the Chinese pantheon, in a seeming contradiction with communism and science. On the Chinese stage, he showed that the central government has regained control over local public health organizations and that public health is once again a key government priority. By sharing data, even if it was not as accurate as claimed, Xi Jinping has presented himself as a trustworthy international partner, leading a country that is at the forefront of scientific research, capable of vigorously implementing epidemic preparedness measures, and destined to become a major player in global health. This analysis shows that Xi Jinping's response to the COVID-19 epidemic differs from official responses to the 2003 SARS epidemic and the cerebrospinal meningitis epidemic of 1966–1967, and is used to assert his legitimacy on both the local and the international stage. This spotlight article reflects on President Xi Jinping's handling of the COVID-19 epidemic and evaluates its specificities by making a brief incursion into the history of Chinese official responses to epidemics. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply.AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |