"Taking Off Masks to Enjoy Parties Is Not With Corona"…China Criticizes South Korea's Quarantine Policy

In Manzhouli, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region in northern China bordering Russia, a volunteer wearing protective clothing is registering the identity of a resident who is about to undergo a COVID-19 test.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Sumi] Chinese netizens mocked South Korea's With-Corona policy, pointing out that the spread of COVID-19 has worsened and expressing increased trust in their own country's Zero-Corona policy.

According to a report by the Chinese state-run English newspaper Global Times on the 17th, the Chinese version of Twitter, Weibo, was flooded with the hashtag "Give up With Corona" that morning.

Chinese netizens showed great interest in South Korea's suspension of the With-Corona policy.

The media pointed out, "Since With Corona, South Korea has recorded the highest number of daily confirmed COVID-19 cases," adding, "What is more serious is the increase in critically ill patients and the shortage of hospital beds."

It also stated, "Chinese netizens expressed strong trust in China's dynamic-zero COVID strategy, which some external forces criticize, while showing concern for their neighboring country."

China's dynamic-zero COVID strategy is a high-intensity quarantine policy implemented with the goal of not tolerating even a single confirmed case.

The media also introduced critical views on With Corona posted on Weibo.

One netizen said, "As long as unpredictable variants continue to emerge, underestimating COVID-19 as just a common flu is tantamount to murder."

Another netizen criticized, "Living with the coronavirus means taking necessary preventive measures while resuming daily life, not taking off masks all day and partying as if COVID-19 has disappeared."

Furthermore, the media reported that the UK and Singapore, which had implemented With Corona policies, are revising their quarantine scenarios after the appearance of the Omicron variant, adding, "However, policies without consistent principles only amplify social division and dissatisfaction."

Meanwhile, China, ahead of the Beijing Winter Olympics in February next year, is immediately closing facilities or residential complexes where confirmed cases have occurred.

It is also maintaining a high-intensity quarantine policy by conducting polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on all city residents when necessary and restricting movement between regions.

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