Reflecting on the influences and changes in our dynamic world, we are reminded of what Lao Tzu the Chinese legendary founder of Taoism, taught about the nature of chaos, responses and self-organization. He taught that transformation and change (either from natural phenomenon or human action), are the essential features of nature; And under change resulting from the interplay of polar opposites, yin and yang, which are irrevocably bound together, is the ultimate reality – the Tao or the path. Global connectivity has indeed bound the world (of different regions/zones) together as one big village, and thus whatever changes affecting one part of that body (positively or negatively), is bound to be felt all over directly or indirectly. That is the Tao, the reality of today international relations. How we respond to the issues and changes to ensure the survival of the human race and live in harmony of shared future for mankind, matters a lot.
Since the outbreak of the 2019-nCov. Epidemic in December 2019, the disease has been spreading at a speed beyond the expectation of medical experts. Beyond this alarming spread also is the awesomely effective response of the Chinese people and government to curb its spread. The effectiveness of the Chinese response has been manifestly so clear that, since February 1, cured coronavirus cases were reported to have started out numbering deaths. Secondly for the first time in recent years, The World Health Organization (WHO) Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus would acknowledge that china has indeed, “taken more measures to contain the outbreak than it is required to do in case of emergency”. He further confirmed that by nature and magnitude of its efforts, China is setting a new standard for outbreak response for other countries. Impressed with these efforts WHO has not yet declared the 2019-nCov a pandemic. This explains one reason other nations and societies should learn from and emulate china. Secondly, it is important to learn from the “how” china’s experiences with the virus, using their scientific and research ingenuity to contain it. Thirdly, is the disturbing reported new cases of coronavirus in some other countries with no link to the outbreak in Wuham China. This means it could occur in any country or society in the world. The need for prepared responses for prevention cannot therefore be under estimated.More so, the possibility of this risk is higher globally given the current fast rate of climate change experiences that may condition new viruses which scientists tell us emerge randomly, and they do not have nationalities, race and colour or geographical region of interest. They occur anywhere, anytime. Did we not have the Bubonic Plague– a virus caused used by a bacterium (Yersinia pestis), and, Black Death that killed an estimated 100 million people across Europe and Asia in the middle ages?
Back in Nigeria we are having the good taste of effective information management and sharing in the efforts by His Excellency Ambassador Zhou Pijian. Like the World Health Organisation (WHO), since the outbreak of covid-19 Ambassador Zhou has continued to engage the Nigerian public and media several times, briefing them in dialogue sessions, and giving regular update information on the situation. The essence is to close up any available gaps with fact and figures so as not to give room to mischief makers or crises entrepreneurs to cause confusion in such critical times with misinformation. China has done well.
Other lessons from effective crises management are evidently clear. One, is the power of effective mobilization of a people and of available resources. President Xi made a historic assuring statement early February on it, when he said, “China’s strong mobilization capacity and rich experience in public health would enable it to beat the Coronavirus. It is this confidence and trust in Chinese capacity to achieve results that made some countries, like Nigeria, not to rush to evacuate their citizens out of Wuhan. Beyond mobilizing the populace, civil society groups, and government ensured sustained supply of daily necessities of medical materials and food from strategic reserves. Donations and goodwill also poured in. All these were coming from the Chinese long-running tradition of kindness of government and people, even as many households always stored more than enough food and other items for the “rainy day”.
The lesson here is the importance of imbibing the spirit of planning and preparing for emergencies (i.e being proactive) rather than being reactive to crises situations. Reactive responses are usually on ad-hoc basis therefore remain superficial, temporary, inadequate and ineffective.
Two days after Premier Li Keqiang was made chairman of special committee on 25th January, 2020 he visited Wuhan to inspect the latest progress to boost public morale and build confidence in government. This action raised the mobilisable rate of the people. Such actions show that government empathizes with victims or those affected by crises, and nothing builds morale and trust in government more. It was not surprising China could easily undertake a “Guiness book of record’’ program when it built three hospitals in ten (10) days to further enhance the local public health capacities. They are, the 1000 bed Dabieshan Regional Medical Center in Huang Gang; the Huoshenshan Hospital (with 1000 beds occupying 34,000 square meters’ space) and Leishanshan Hospital (with 1500) beds covering 75,000 square meters’ space. This total mobilization and what china calls “a whole – of – government approach” has been effective and achievable”. When there is rapid mobilisation with sincerity of purpose particularly at the top level of a people’s leadership, the whole nation can be catapulted into instant positive action for all.
Two major reasons from the government and the people accounted for this successful mobilization. From the government perspective is the essence and sanctity of life which as of right must be protected and saved at all times, both as a divine and constitutional responsibility which government must account to the people, their consciences and for any one life they fail to protect.With the China experiences there is no room therefore to politicize any crisis or emergency situation. Despite the numerical differences and locations of the 56 different ethnic groups in china, the government does not view the life of any individual more or less valuable than the other on account of their backgrounds. Everyone is given equal treatment, because every individual is highly valued. This is a lesson in equity, justice and diversity management which are the hallmark of peace and good governance necessarily needed for progress by countries with similar elements of diversity.
Professor Golwa is former Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and currently, a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for China Studies, Abuja.
