"China Conducts Suspicious Patient Screening in Every Household... Wuhan Lockdown Expected to Lift This Month"

Choi Deok-gi, President of the Hubei Korean Association, Exclusive Interview: "No Shortage of Groceries but Medical Situation is Severe"

Choi Deok-gi, President of the Hubei Korean Association

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Jung-yoon] "The Chinese government is identifying not only patients visiting hospitals but also suspected cases of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) within each household. The Chinese government is showing determination to isolate suspected cases as soon as possible to prevent virus transmission and normalize society."

Choi Deok-gi, president of the Hubei Korean Association, predicted that contrary to expectations of a prolonged COVID-19 crisis in Wuhan, China, the situation would quickly enter a stabilization phase. In a recent interview with Asia Economy, President Choi said, "China is a society with strong control and cohesion," adding, "Since the government is determined to resolve COVID-19, I believe this crisis will be resolved faster than expected."

Although the Chinese government imposed lockdown measures such as shutting down public transportation in Wuhan on the 23rd of last month, President Choi foresaw the possibility of lifting these restrictions within this month. He said, "If the Wuhan lockdown continues, an economic crisis will hit Wuhan, potentially causing more damage than the epidemic itself." He also explained that Wuhan being an educational city makes it difficult to maintain the lockdown. "Wuhan is an educational city that produces over one million graduates annually," he said, "so it will be difficult to postpone school openings for the normalization of society."

On the 13th, the Chinese government dismissed Jiang Chaoliang, the Party Secretary of Hubei Province, who was responsible for the province, and appointed Ying Yong, the mayor of Shanghai known as a close aide to Chinese President Xi Jinping, in his place. President Choi said that the replacement of the highest-ranking official following the COVID-19 outbreak reflects the Chinese government's determination.

President Choi reported that Wuhan is gradually stabilizing. After the lockdown began, there was panic buying at grocery stores, but as government control started, people began to calm down. Although the supply of vegetables and greens has slightly decreased, it is not at a level that would cause food shortages.

However, medical conditions remain poor. President Choi explained, "In the early stages of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Chinese government's inadequate quarantine system caused hospitals to be overloaded," adding, "Hospitals are still overflowing with patients." As of the morning of the 17th, confirmed COVID-19 cases in Hubei Province reached 70,000, with 1,700 deaths.

Choi, who entered Korea on the 14th of last month for personal reasons, has served as a bridge between Koreans remaining in Wuhan and the Korean government through China's social networking service (SNS) WeChat. He evaluated the government's decision to transport Koreans from Wuhan on the first, second, and third charter flights as a well-made decision. Although he decided not to proceed with a fundraising campaign planned to express gratitude to the government, he intends to convey the sentiments of the Koreans in Wuhan to the government through other means. While in Korea, President Choi plans to monitor the condition of the Koreans from Wuhan and, once the Wuhan lockdown is lifted, travel to China to assist the local Korean community.