Xi Jinping Asks "What Do You Need Most?" Wuhan Citizens Respond "Economic Normalization"

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] Chinese President Xi Jinping’s inspection of Wuhan, Hubei Province, the origin of COVID-19, on the 10th (local time) is being actively utilized by Chinese media as a window to demonstrate the government’s confidence in controlling COVID-19 and the top leadership’s emphasis on people’s livelihood.

On the 11th, the Chinese Communist Party’s official newspaper, People’s Daily, filled its entire front page with news of President Xi Jinping’s visit to Wuhan, Hubei Province. The coverage focused on Xi’s visit to Huoshenshan Hospital, where COVID-19 patients are receiving treatment, offering words of comfort and encouragement to medical staff and patients, followed by his visit to a residential complex in Wuhan to directly communicate with the local community. Conscious of criticism that the initial outbreak of COVID-19 was not properly controlled, Xi’s activities in Wuhan emphasized regional epidemic prevention and the care of people’s livelihood and public sentiment.

During his visit to the residential complex, President Xi asked residents, “What support do the public need most right now?” showing meticulous concern for people’s livelihood. The director of the residents’ committee present replied, “Many people’s wish is to return to work early.” He added, “For example, taxi drivers currently have no income because they cannot go to work as usual. We hope Wuhan regains vitality as soon as possible.” In response, Xi said, “Epidemic prevention activities and the restoration of economic and social order must be planned and implemented comprehensively and promoted step by step.”

After completing the on-site inspection, President Xi received reports on epidemic prevention work from heads of various departments of the Hubei provincial government. At this meeting, Xi said, “When people’s livelihood is stable, public sentiment and society stabilize,” emphasizing that caring for people’s livelihood is as important as epidemic prevention efforts. He also urged resumption of operations according to regional conditions while strengthening epidemic control.

Regarding the current COVID-19 spread, Xi praised Wuhan as the decisive place for the victory or defeat in this epidemic prevention battle, stating that positive changes have occurred in Wuhan’s epidemic prevention situation and important phased achievements have been made. However, he stressed that especially at this time, vigilance must be maintained, epidemic prevention must be treated as the most important task, and no relaxation of efforts should be allowed.

China hinted that with President Xi’s visit to Wuhan as a turning point, the country is moving toward stability from the fear of COVID-19 and will focus on economic normalization for the recovery of people’s livelihood.

In particular, Chinese state media including People’s Daily have been repeatedly emphasizing Xi’s recent calls for efforts to achieve poverty eradication goals while reporting on the COVID-19 situation, reflecting this atmosphere.

Despite external warnings that China’s economic growth rate could sharply decline due to COVID-19, President Xi regards the goal of doubling the 2010 level of 2020 gross domestic product (GDP) and eliminating absolute poverty as a “promise” to the people and remains committed to it. To achieve this goal, an economic growth rate of at least 5.6% must be maintained this year, and the atmosphere suggests this is not a problem.

In this regard, Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP) cited experts’ assessments, reporting that “China’s fiscal deficit ratio is only about 3% of GDP, and interest rates are higher than those of other major economies, providing ample fiscal and monetary policy ammunition to combat a sharp economic downturn,” suggesting that additional stimulus measures to support people’s livelihood may follow from the Chinese government.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.