China's Response to the Coronavirus was Inadequate
The debate is finished. The distribution of the voting points and the winner are presented below.
After 1 vote and with 3 points ahead, the winner is...
- Publication date
- Last updated date
- Type
- Standard
- Number of rounds
- 2
- Time for argument
- Two days
- Max argument characters
- 30,000
- Voting period
- Two weeks
- Point system
- Multiple criterions
- Voting system
- Open
R1- Opening Statements
R2- Rebuttals
Definitions:
Inadequate: not satisfactory or acceptable in quality (Provided by the Cambridge English Dictionary)
China: The Chinese Communist Party
Rules:
1. Make sure not to use profanity.
2. Forfeiting awards automatic conduct points to the opponent.
Round 1
The definitions that shall be used in this debate shall be listed here, and have been provided in the rules and outline of this debate above.
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The Burden of Proof rests on “PRO”.
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- China downplayed the severity of the coronavirus since it started.
- China has been using its power and leverage within the WHO to stop Taiwan (which has crucial information about the virus, and would need help from other nations) from entering the organisation.
- Chinese hackers targeted the US for information about a coronavirus vaccine.
- There might be a possibility that the coronavirus originated in a lab.
- Dr. Tedros and the President of China, arranged a phone call (according to US intelligence, denied by the WHO) on January 21st, for plans to cover up and downplay the virus.
I have fulfilled my side of the BoP by providing 3 contentions and several miscellaneous facts in favor of the idea that China’s response to the coronavirus was inadequate. According to the definition of inadequate, which I have provided both in the rules and the prelude of this debate, it means “not satisfactory”. Due to the 3 points I have provided, I expect VOTERS and CON, to think I have fulfilled my portion of the BoP.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Wenliang
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Li_Wenliang#/media/File:李文亮的训诫书.png
- China has been adequate handing and curing people with the virus
- The Chinese obeyed the governmental orders to stay at home, which, even if the statistics were fabricated, still did better than the US and Italy, etc.
“China has been adequate handling and curing people with the virus.”
“The Chinese obeyed the governmental orders to stay at home, which, even if the statistics were fabricated, still did better than the US and Italy, etc.”
“And no, all of the people are pro-governmental. There are no private hospitals used. They are a part of the state. They loved the nation and are happy”
This evidence shows that China had built an entire facility dedicated to eradicate coronavirus. You can't fake an entire construction.
This image shows that while other developed or great nations have their curves skyrocketing, China had their curves immediately stopping at February and reducing in March.
This is the official count. You can't prove any other counts because otherwise pro-American websites won't be using the statistics China provided. China had flattened the curve so quickly among such vast amounts of population, that an entire hospital erected within two weeks! How you calling this inadequate?
If you believe the Chinese authorities, the country’s battle against the novel coronavirus is all but won. But that claim is clouded by a fog of skewed data, political imperatives—and unreported cases and possibly deaths. (https://time.com/5813628/china-coronavirus-statistics-wuhan/)
Conclusion 1: China had really put their effort into curing the virus and their effect is evident.
I will give you time to prove why the US media is right. I am not refuting yet.
China had a better preparation for this crisis. People are obeying the orders and caring for their own health. I won't go into detail because I am typing this from by bed 12PM into the night. However economy is prepared and the people are voluntarily ready for such an event, for themselves, the nation and the world.
The World Needs Masks. China Makes Them, but Has Been Hoarding Them. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/13/business/masks-china-coronavirus.html
Schools are opening in China. Even if they can fool the US they can't fool the students.
Conclusion: Infrastructure-wise, China is doing good dealing with the pandemic.
China made half the world’s masks before the coronavirus emerged there, and it has expanded production nearly 12-fold since then. But it has claimed mask factory output for itself. Purchases and donations also brought China a big chunk of the world’s supply from elsewhere.
“I was really angry and scared at that moment,” she cried.
... I don’t believe it, I think the death were 10 times more than reported.”
According to analysis by Radio Free Asia, the official death toll in Wuhan of 2,535 (at that time) may have been underreported by almost a factor of 20.
The European Commission halted the delivery of 10 million masks.
Many Western retail brands realize that they can get more sales of their products by selling them at a lower price. To do this, they very consciously choose to sacrifice quality.
Lie 12: China prevents Taiwan from joining the WHO and endangers the health of Taiwanese.The truth: Taiwan, as a part of China, has no right to participate in the WHO that only sovereign states can join. The channels of technical cooperation between Taiwan and WHO in China are always open.◆ WHO is a specialized agency of the United Nations composed of sovereign states. Only members of the United Nations are eligible to join, and Taiwan as a part of China has no right to join.◆ When China joined the International Health Regulations, it stated that the Regulations apply to the entire territory of the People's Republic of China, including the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Province.◆ According to the consensus reached between the Chinese government and WHO, the WHO International Health Regulations Contact Point has been established in Taiwan, China, and has an account logged in to the WHO event information website to obtain timely access to the global emergencies released by WHO. Information on public health events. There is no obstacle to the technical cooperation between Taiwan and China and WHO. From the beginning of 2019 to the beginning of May 2020, 16 groups of 24 experts from Taiwan participated in the technical conference organized by WHO.◆ After the outbreak, the Chinese National Health and Health Commission promptly notified the Taiwan area of the outbreak information. As of May 6, the mainland has notified the Taiwan side of the epidemic information 148 times. In mid-January, the mainland arranged for Taiwan experts to visit Wuhan for field visits to understand the diagnosis, treatment and epidemic situation of patients diagnosed with new coronavirus pneumonia.Lie 13: As early as December 31, 2019, Taiwan issued a warning to WHO on the human-to-human transmission of the new coronary pneumonia, but it was not taken seriously.Fact: The Taiwan region of China did not issue a warning to WHO, but sought additional information from the WHO after the Wuhan Health Commission issued an epidemic report.◆ Wuhan City issued a circular on the outbreak of unexplained pneumonia on December 31, 2019. Taiwan ’s health department sent a letter to the National Health and Welfare Committee to understand the information released by the Wuhan Health and Welfare Committee. A written reply was promptly given. On the same day, Taiwan's health department sent a so-called "warning" email to WHO. The email did not mention "person-to-person", mainly to get information from WHO. The facts are very clear. The mainland first released the information and the Taiwan health department made a retell. There is no such thing as the so-called Taiwan first reporting to the WHO.◆ The WHO has clarified many times that the Taiwan region of China did not "warn" it, but only raised hopes for more information. Long before the mail was sent in Taiwan, WHO had received a number of other requests for epidemic information notification. On April 20, the WHO again clarified this clearly at a press conference. The first case of new coronary pneumonia was not diagnosed in Taiwan, China until January 21. Prior to this, Taiwan did not have information on clinical cases of the epidemic, and it was even more impossible to "draw conclusions from person to person."
Myth 14: China hoards protective materials, uses the epidemic situation to make huge profits, and increases the export inspection of anti-epidemic materials, restricting the export of materials, especially the export of ventilators, resulting in insufficient US material reserves.Facts: Although China's own epidemic prevention tasks are still arduous, China still provides anti-epidemic medical supplies to other countries within its ability.◆ The Chinese government and private sector have provided or are providing many urgently needed medical supplies to more than 150 countries and international organizations. The Chinese side has also taken advantage of its production capacity and opened the medical supplies market and export channels in a timely manner.◆ According to statistics from the Ministry of Commerce, from March 1 to May 6, China has exported epidemic prevention materials to 194 countries and regions through market-based procurement. Among them, 77 national and regional governments and 6 international organizations signed 216 batches of medical supplies commercial procurement contracts with me through official channels; 71 national and regional governments and 8 international organizations are conducting 128 batches of commercial procurement negotiations with our enterprises .◆ According to statistics from the Chinese Customs, from March 1 to April 30, the country's total exports of major anti-epidemic materials were valued at 71.2 billion yuan. Including: 27.8 billion masks, 130 million protective clothing, 73.41 million new coronavirus detection kits, 12.57 million infrared thermometers, 49,100 ventilators, 124,000 patient monitors, 43.63 million pairs of goggles , 854 million pairs of surgical gloves.◆ According to China Customs statistics, from March 1 to May 5, China provided more than 6.6 billion masks, 344 million pairs of surgical gloves, 44.09 million sets of protective clothing, 6.75 million pairs of goggles, and nearly 7500 ventilators to the United States.◆ According to incomplete statistics, as of May 6, China's local provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, relevant agencies and enterprises have donated more than 9.6 million masks, 500,000 boxes of testing reagents, and 305,900 pairs of medical supplies to 30 states and 55 cities in the United States. And other medical supplies such as gloves and 135,500 pairs of goggles.◆ China does not restrict the export of medical supplies. China issued the "Announcement on Further Strengthening the Quality Supervision of Epidemic Prevention Materials" and other policy measures, not to restrict exports, but to further strengthen the quality control of epidemic prevention materials and regulate the export order.◆ China's invasive ventilator has limited production capacity, some spare parts are from abroad and are in short supply, enterprises are negotiating with importers in a market-oriented manner, and the Chinese government has never restricted its exports.Lie 15: China's foreign aid for anti-epidemic is "aid politics" and "political propaganda".Facts: China ’s foreign aid for the fight against epidemic disease is a pledge to support the country ’s fight against epidemic disease, and it is also a practical way to practice the concept of a community of human destiny.◆ China widely shares prevention and control experience, provides medical protection materials to the outside world, and actively dispatches medical teams. As of early May, through the opening of an epidemic prevention and control online knowledge center, the 7th edition of the diagnosis and treatment plan and the 6th edition of the prevention and control plan were published. Set up 2 billion yuan of special funds for anti-epidemic cooperation, and held more than 120 video exchange meetings with more than 160 countries and international organizations. Provided medical material assistance to more than 150 countries and international organizations, and sent 21 medical expert groups to 19 countries. China and Europe established a joint expert group, and China and South Korea established a joint defense and joint control cooperation mechanism. Provide USD 50 million cash donation to WHO. Actively responding to the G20 “Deferred Debt Repayment Initiative for the Poorest Countries” and agreeing to postpone the debt repayment of principal and interest of 77 related developing countries due from May 1 to the end of this year. The international community generally appreciates China's support and support, and believes that China's actions reflect the help of suffering and mutual help, and further highlight the importance of building a community of shared future for mankind.Lie 16: China has recently requested that exporting masks, testing kits, ventilator and other material enterprises must provide a declaration when they declare to the customs, indicating that China is prohibited from exporting anti-epidemic supplies in disguise.The truth: The Chinese approach aims to strengthen quality supervision.◆ The production and supply of epidemic prevention products are related to the safety of people in countries and regions affected by the epidemic situation, and the quality must be strictly controlled.◆ The Chinese government attaches great importance to the quality and safety of epidemic prevention materials. The relevant departments have stepped up joint remediation efforts and adopted a series of measures to strengthen the quality control of export epidemic prevention materials and regulate the export order. China severely cracked down on counterfeit, shoddy and untrustworthy violations in accordance with law, earnestly guaranteed the quality and safety of exported epidemic prevention materials, and better supported global epidemic prevention and control.◆ The relevant measures have been effective since the implementation, and the international community has made positive comments. China does not and will not restrict the export of anti-epidemic materials. It is understood that China Customs has taken active measures to speed up customs clearance and further improve the level of convenience under the premise of ensuring the export quality of anti-epidemic materials.
C2: STORIES IN CHINA
Interpreting the resolution:
This debate is considering The Chinese Communist Party, and if their response has been satisfactory or acceptable in quality. Going to have to weight this on balance against harms, using normative ethics.
1. ORIGIN OF COVID-19
We all agree it came from there, which does raise the responsibility quotient.
2. MISINFORMATION, LIES, AND CENSORSHIP
This is pro’s best area, using Li Wenliang as evidence. This is part of their response, which merits consideration as to the adequacy of their response. Pro later builds on this by showing an 18-fold increase in infections caused by China’s choices in misinformation over better forms of treating a virus.
3. CORRUPTION IN THE WHO
This one really needed some sources for evidence.
I think con’s sources near the end were to defend on this.
4. FURTHER MISCELLANEOUS POINTS
This seems to be included as food for thought outside the debate, serving educational purposes rather than trying to shift the debate.
5. China has been adequate handing and curing people with the virus
They build hospitals quickly (the video did not load for me, but the description gives assumed content … surprised pro did not challenge the quality of the construction), which is concluded to mean they are curing the virus. Pro challenges this, as whatever cure China has found has not been shared with the rest of the world (he specifically states there is no cure, I am using a touch of hyperbole to help con better his points in future); and further it would have been more satisfactory to stop it at the source when they first identified it.
There is further a graph showing that they say they completely…? Graphs need more info than this, are those numbers new infections, or total currently infected? Sorry to nit-pick, I’m a data scientist. Pro counters this with an article from TIME magazine.
And they are already reopening schools. Seems scary considering problems of second waves, but still an indicator of progress.
Pro offers a key counter to much of this: “We are not arguing if the US did better than China. We are arguing that the Chinese Government's response itself was inadequate.”
6. LOVE
An interesting side note on this debate, but drifting off topic.
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Arguments: Leaning pro, I do wish I could make it only 2 points instead of 3, as credit to con.
See above review of key points. Their official response to whistle-blowers was wholly unacceptable, which intuitively delayed other countries from taking correct actions. Inside their own borders, properly responding earlier would have saved thousands of lives per day… They could of course have responded better or worse compared to other nations, but the focus is on the Chinese Communist Party’s choices and resulting impacts.
Con, do be careful in use of rhetoric. By all means use it, but when you include good for the world “ready for such an event, for themselves, the nation and the world,” you should probably address the already proven disinformation (Li Wenliang). As is, you’re implying satisfactory to the outside world matters. … Also, be careful when dropping well labeled contention headings; this became the tipping thing to me.
Sources: Tie
This could have been a lot better. I would say that using pictures, they should probably be connected to outside information from their source.
One way I do give pro credit here, was to challenge China's credibility, which shaded the later transcripts in a negative way. Con, I suggest never telling the voters you are going to try to fill up more characters; the very act of that, is about like a speech starting with “I’m going to keep their brief.” To which in the known history of humanity, only one man has ever actually followed through on that (Robert Gates).
That is very fair. For the longest time I refused to assign points on abortion debates, due to the strength of my bias.
thanks anyway
Normally, I would vote on this debate, but I'm afraid my extensive experience in the PRC precludes an objective voting platform on my part. I am too personally aware of the corruption in the Chinese media and its government to believe anything that either institution says. Further, understanding that Con may have no experience other than reading the media and government reports from China, and those outside China in support of China, including WHO, I would be inclined to reject all Con sourcing, and, therefore, arguments. Therefore, I am not voting in this debate. My apologies.
Wow. Advertisement. Very cool thank you.
Forgot you. Sorry.
Please vote. Thanks!
Thanks, remember to vote lol
really nice format in R1. I like the way you to keep re-applying the format in future rounds, even when your opponent doesn't follow it, even if you have to do a little shoe-horning to make it work. It makes following chains of counter-arguments that much easier to follow
US isn't any better than China. I think South Korea and Taiwan's response should be models for all.
What's funny is that in Chinese sources they think the US is spreading lies. Your logic means jail for China. I am not advocating that, but I think many of your points are flawed. US media isn't any better than China's.
I await your response. Good luck!
I respect your opinion, but I whole heartedly disagree. I'm almost done my argument and should have it ready it a couple of hours.
I am Chinese and I strongly disagree. What do you expect, China completely exterminating the virus?