China Already Knows How the Story Ends

The book about the coronavirus in China is out

Yesterday I wrote a blog post about China's propaganda machine going into overdrive with its tales of heroism and self-sacrifice of healthcare workers and ordinary people in their efforts to fight the coronavirus.

Today China reported 327 new cases compared to 433 the day before, and 44 deaths, which is less than the number of cases around the world, but this epidemic, which infectious disease experts fear could develop into a pandemic, is far from over.

The book talks about China's valiant efforts to battle the virus

However the Chinese have already published a book about the country's valiant efforts in overcoming the coronavirus called A Battle Against Epidemic: China Combating Covid-19 in 2020. It seems China already knows the ending to the story when the coronavirus hasn't even peaked yet.

A news release issued by the Xinhua News Agency says the book "collectively reflects General Secretary Xi Jinping's commitment to the people, his sense of mission, his far-reaching strategic vision and outstanding leadership as the leader of a major power."

Talk about a breathless sentence, perhaps because it was such a rushed project to finish.

There are articles extolling Xi Jinping's leadership in the crisis

The book features articles from Chinese state media that reiterate over and over how the Communist Party of China in its great wisdom knows how to battle the coronavirus, and has done so effectively.

The press release also claims the book will focus on "key moments, individuals and events during China's ongoing fight against the epidemic". 

Will it pay tribute to ophthalmologist Dr Li Wenliang and how he sounded the alarm about the coronavirus in late December but was accused by the police of spreading rumours? Li was infected with the coronavirus and died on February 7 and considered a hero by many Chinese who were angered by how the police, and by extension the local government treated him, and demanded free speech.

Will Dr Li Wenliang be memorialized in the book?

In any event, the book -- should you wish to read it -- will be available in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Arabic.

Isn't it a bit too premature to come out with a book like this? But perhaps the Chinese are trying to be optimistic?