January 9, 2023
2 mins read

China clears Covid critics from social media

China scrapped its strict zero-Covid policy in December and has seen a rapid surge of infections and deaths….reports Asian Lite News

China has taken down more than 1,000 social media accounts – some with millions of followers – that criticised the government’s Covid policies.

Social media platform Weibo said it had suspended or banned accounts for what it described as personal attacks against Chinese Covid specialists, The BBC reported.

Weibo did not specify which posts had prompted the action.

China scrapped its strict zero-Covid policy in December and has seen a rapid surge of infections and deaths.

Online criticism has until recently largely focused on the strict enforcement of Covid regulations, including lockdowns that required people to stay at home in isolation for weeks.

But recent posts have taken aim at experts who have defended the sudden decision to drop restrictions, despite supporting them just weeks ago, The BBC reported.

Weibo said it had spotted almost 13,000 violations, including attacks on experts, scholars and medical workers. Temporary or permanent bans have been handed to 1,120 accounts.

“It is not acceptable to hurl insults at people who hold a different point of view, or publish personal attacks and views that incite conflicts,” Weibo said in a statement.

Any kind of move that is destructive to the [Weibo] community would be handled in a serious manner”, BBC reported.

Since China abandoned key parts of zero-Covid following historic protests against the policy, there have been reports of hospitals and crematoriums being overwhelmed.

But China has stopped publishing daily cases data and has announced only 22 Covid deaths since December using its own strict criteria.

On Saturday, China marked the first day of the 40-day period of Lunar New Year, known as the world’s largest annual migration of people.

The Ministry of Transport said it expects more than two billion passengers to travel over the next 40 days, an increase of 99.5 per cent year-on-year and reaching 70 per cent of trip numbers in 2019, The BBC reported.

This has led to widespread concerns that the festival may see another wave of infections, especially in rural areas that are less well-equipped with ICU beds and ventilators.

From Sunday, China dropped a requirement for travellers coming from abroad to quarantine, meaning many Chinese will be able to travel abroad for the first time in almost three years, The BBC reported.

ALSO READ: ‘China’s Xinjiang policy doesn’t allow anyone to cross borders’

Previous Story

Covid surge fear looms as China reopens borders

Next Story

Indian buses came as a relief to Lanka’s jam-packed public transport

Latest from -Top News

Deadly Fever Grips Senegal

Currently, there is no vaccine or antiviral treatment approved for human use against RVF. Senegal is facing a growing public health emergency as the death toll from a Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Protest Crackdown in Abidjan

The protest ban came just a day before the planned march, with the prefect of Abidjan declaring all gatherings illegal to “preserve public order” ahead of the polls. Authorities in Ivory Coast

Seychelles Chooses Herminie

Herminie’s win gives his United Seychelles party full control of government after it reclaimed a parliamentary majority during last month’s general elections. Seychelles’s opposition leader, Patrick Herminie, has emerged victorious in the

Fragile Peace Returns to Gaza

Carrying bags, blankets, and a few salvaged belongings, families walked through the dusty highway under the afternoon sun. Many pushed carts or led donkeys loaded with what was left of their possessions.

Egypt to Host Gaza Peace Talks

Cairo summit aims to end war and open a new chapter for regional stability. The summit will gather leaders and senior officials from more than 20 countries, including the United Kingdom, France,
Go toTop

Don't Miss

China most active UN member to stall NGOs applications

An analysis of committee meeting summaries and reports from 2016

US worried over China’s illegal trade of Fentanyl drug

The rise in such deaths has become a great cause