China’s adherence to ‘zero-COVID’ has lasted for the past 3 years. However, the Chinese government officially abandoned the ‘zero-COVID’ policy due to the protests against strict lockdowns across the country last November. The sudden lifting of Covid restrictions resulted in an unprecedented wave of infections and deaths. Nevertheless, contrasting to the reality shown by the social media, the significantly low number of new officially confirmed cases announced by the Chinese authorities is causing controversy over statistical manipulation.

1. China’s Abandonment of Strict Zero-COVID Policy Brings Chaos
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on January 5th that China’s authorities are undercutting the reality of their COVID-19 situation, particularly the death toll. China says there were 59,938 Covid-related deaths between December 8th and January 12th. Compared to the 13 deaths recorded the previous month, it seems like China accepted the WHO’s recommendation to release more “rapid, regular and reliable” data on numbers of hospitalization and deaths. However, according to the BBC published in January, “Dr. Louise Blair, of the UK-based research company Airfinity, says that although the new death toll is higher than earlier, it may still not represent the true number of deaths when you compare China’s figures with those from other countries.” 
a. Major Factories and Ports are Paralyzed
Due to the spread of COVID-19 in China, major production facilities and ports in Shanghai and Shenzhen are paralyzed. As workers in factory and port are infected with COVID-19 and unable to work, there are concerns that global supply chains around the world could deteriorate, because China is the largest industrial area In January, CNBC reported the “The surge in COVID-19 cases in China is impacting the completion of manufacturing orders, [and that] logistics managers are warning clients that because of the spike in infections, factories are unable to complete orders.”
b. Funeral Homes and Crematoriums Are Unable to Handle the Number of Deceased
In January, Bloomberg said, “Bodies pile up in China as their COVID surge overwhelmed crematoriums, [and that] the whole funeral system is paralyzed.” On Chinese social media such as Weibo, the scene of building a simple cremation facility in a private area was captured, clearly needed due to the lack of funeral facilities. It was also observed that bodies were being cremated in an apartment parking lot. As such, due to the authorities’ lack of response to the paralysis of funeral facilities, public cremation, reminiscent of a garbage incineration plant, is being held. This deprives the dignity of the deceased, and it seems that the state itself urgently needs to come up with an alternative solution.
2. Transition in China’s Quarantine Policy and the World’s Response
As the number of cases soared due to the change in Chinese government's quarantine policy, countries around the world are strengthening regulations on travelers from China. The Korean quarantine authorities implemented a high-intensity quarantine policy for inbound travelers from China in January. PCR testing was compulsory for all arrivals from China, domestic stopovers were restricted to Incheon Airport, and short-term visa issuance through diplomatic missions in China was restricted. Japan also decided to implement a COVID-19 test for all travelers entering the country from China from December 30th last year. The United States also announced special entry restrictions on travelers from China on December 28th. Europe and Australia, which had previously taken a passive attitude in regulating entrants from China, are also taking steps to strengthen their quarantine policies. On January 4th, the European Union (EU) issued a new directive: “strongly recommending that all member states introduce the requirement that passengers flying from China provide a negative COVID test before their departure”. Australian Health Minister Mark Butler also said in January, “WHO has pointed to the lack of comprehensive information about the situation in China. They’ve described these measures which have been taken by a wide range of countries across Asia and North America and Europe as understandable.” As such, the strict response of each country seems to be the best solution to avoid repeating the pandemic situation. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said, “It’s understandable that some countries are taking steps to protect their citizens,” in regard to the Chinese government’s complacent response and strengthening of other countries’ high-intensity quarantine of entrants from China.
3. China’s Reaction to the Movement to Strengthen Quarantine for Entrants
China has warned of “corresponding measures” in response to those taken by other countries to strengthen quarantine for entrants from their country. On January 6th, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular briefing, “In response to unreasonable measures taken by some countries, China will … take corresponding measures against the EU’s move to strengthen quarantine measures for inbound travelers from China.” State media also came forward to support the government's position. In an editorial on January 6, the Global Times, the official newspaper of the Communist Party of China, said that the actions of some countries that have strengthened quarantine measures are excessive, and that they stem from prejudice against China and political calculations, not scientific judgment. “What we need to prevent is not only the COVID virus, but even more so the ‘political virus’, which distorts the truth and undermines international cooperation,” the editorial argued. Indeed, on January 10th, China suspended short-term visa issuance to South Korea nationals.
4. Conflicting Quarantine Measures in Southeast Asian Countries
Amid concerns about re-proliferation due to the Chinese government's easing of quarantine, some Southeast Asian countries are continuing to allow normal entry from China. The main reason seems to be the revitalization of the tourism industry. According to the Bangkok Post on January 5th, Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Health, explained that there would be no separate restrictions on Chinese tourists. Malaysia also emphasized that it would not discriminate against entrants from China. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said at a press conference held after the Cabinet meeting on January 4th, "Whoever is coming in must be monitored and subject to the same conditions." On January 2nd, Indonesian Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said in a statement, “We welcome Chinese tourists by, of course, adopting a precautionary principle.” The choice of Southeast Asian countries, which have suffered an economic downturn due to a sharp drop in tourists due to COVID-19, cannot be criticized. However, it is debatable whether the somewhat lenient quarantine policy of Southeast Asia against entrants from China will effectively prevent the re-proliferation of COVID-19.

It seems urgent to prepare measures for economic, social, and international problems caused by China’s drop of its ‘zero-COVID’ policy. As many countries have implemented restrictive measures for entrants from China, voices of concern are growing that it will cause cracks in the international social orders. The most important thing would be the transparent disclosure of information related to COVID-19 by the Chinese authorities. There is no choice but to expect a positive response from China to the WHO’s recommendation for the sake of the prompt endemic transition and the maintenance of order in the international community.