Wrong Practices Lead to Harmful Effects Resulting in Anti-Asian Racism
Nature Admits Mistake, Emphasizes Now Is the Time for Joint Response to COVID-19
[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Young-shin] The international academic journal Nature has officially apologized for using the terms 'China and Wuhan' in relation to the novel infectious disease.
On the 10th, according to China's state-run Global Times and Hong Kong's South China Morning Post (SCMP), Nature apologized for associating the name of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) with China and Wuhan. Nature reiterated its apology, stating that this was a mistake and that it has led to racially discriminatory attacks against Asians.
In the past, the names of viral diseases were commonly linked to the place or region where they first emerged. Examples include Ebola, Hantavirus, and the Spanish flu.
However, disease names containing specific place names have caused adverse effects, leading to hatred or racial discrimination against certain regions or people. Accordingly, the World Health Organization (WHO) established guidelines in 2015 advising against the use of names that include place names, animals, or specific professions.
Nature expressed concern that racial discrimination against Asians, including those from China, has been occurring since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Nature also criticized some politicians for irresponsibly associating COVID-19 with China.
Nature emphasized, "While countries around the world are struggling to contain the spread of COVID-19, some politicians are exhibiting outdated behaviors." Professor Li Haidong of the Institute of International Relations at China Foreign Affairs University evaluated that "Nature has demonstrated professionalism in addressing the controversy over disease names."
Meanwhile, Nature published an article titled 'How Quickly Does the Wuhan Virus Spread?' on January 21, and on March 13, in an article titled 'China, Deadly Pig Virus Vaccine,' it referred to the virus as the 'China virus.'
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