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Specter of Runaway Virus Outbreak Strains China's Relations Around Asia

Ralph Jennings

   TAIPEI, TAIWAN - Asian governments with historically tense relations
   with China, from Japan to Vietnam, are facing domestic pressures to
   take more measures against the deadly new coronavirus amid fears the
   Asian superpower might handle the outbreak irresponsibly.

   Suspicions that Chinese officials are underreporting coronavirus cases
   to ensure social stability particularly carry weight in neighboring
   countries hoping to contain their own outbreaks among people who have
   entered from China, political analysts say. Most cases worldwide remain
   in China, where the disease was discovered in December in the central
   city of Wuhan. The virus has reached six other Asian countries.

   Maritime disputes, competing sovereignty claims and issues left over
   from World War II add to suspicion of China, challenging Asian
   governments to address the fears of their citizens, analysts say.

   "If you're optimistic, then you'll think China will try to modify its
   policy toward other countries," said Alex Chiang, associate professor
   of international politics at National Chengchi University in Taipei.
   "It would be less assertive and maybe more accommodative of other
   countries' interests," he added.

   However, he said, "If China continues its behavior in the past, I think
   there will be more friction in the future."

   Past behavior refers largely to the 2003 outbreak in China of SARS, or
   severe acute respiratory syndrome. Chinese officials initially reported
   low numbers despite widespread unofficial reports of a soaring
   caseload. In Wuhan last month, following the country's first local
   health statement on the coronavirus, police detained eight people
   suspected of spreading rumors.

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