context: While extolling what is working well in the fight against COVID-19, this unsigned and therefore authoritative commentary hints that problems remain, and sanctions criticism of problems in implementation and of some of the measures themselves.
Noting that CCP Chairman Xi Jinping 习近平 personally directed epidemic control and emphasised that the entire nation play a part in disease prevention and control, a People’s Daily editorial states that the advantages of China's governance system are the ability to
- adhere to national unity
- mobilise the enthusiasm of all parties
- concentrate on major issues
Mutual assistance by provinces is 'a vivid embodiment of China's institutional advantages', the editorial maintains. 19 provinces have resolutely obeyed the unified command, coordination and timetable set by Central Committee. They have from the outset
- interacted precisely with recipient cities
- formulated mutual support work plans
- mobilised and dispatched 'special forces'
- worked together with local governments to win this ‘war of resistance’
Hubei and Wuhan remain the focus and priority of epidemic prevention and control. All supporting provinces should implement directives from the Central Leading Group for Response to the Epidemic and the State Council. All departments in all regions should not only consider prevention and control needs in their own areas, but also the impact on key regions and on national efforts. Epidemic prevention and control are not only medical and health problems, but all-round work. If their implementation is ineffective, if command and control are violated, or if 'departmentalism' takes hold, officials and agencies must dare to make criticisms and advise the Central Committee to rectify these situations. If the Central Committee has serious problems, it must be held accountable.