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SSB Interview Question: Do you think China is responsible for spreading Covid-19? If so, what can India & the world do to make China pay for its mistake?

Answer: Yes sir, I think China is responsible for knowingly or unknowingly allowing the spread of Covid-19.

Sir, the coronavirus outbreak was first noticed in early December 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan in Hubei Province. China locked down Wuhan and three other cities only on 23 January 2020 but by then it was too late. The virus had spread across China and internationally. China is guilty of suppressing news of the origins, rapid spread, and lethality of COVID-19. China’s failure to promptly report the coronavirus outbreak to the organization violated the International Health Regulations, which require countries to notify the World Health Organisation (WHO) of potential public-health emergencies “of international concern.”

The loss of life (more than 2.22 lakh as on 19 Apr 2020), those who survive Covid-19 will not be as healthy (lungs will not recover totally), grief caused to millions of people, economic loss of trillions of dollars, changing the way world enjoyed relationships (People will be circumspect) and loss of livelihood to billions etc. are some of the fallout of  covid-19 pandemic.

International institutions provide no meaningful way to force China to remedy the harm it has caused. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), allegedly the supreme law making and executive body in international law, cannot hold China to account because China and Russia exercise their permanent right to veto any Security Council resolution.

India and its allies also could try to sue China before an international tribunal, such as the International Court of Justice (although countries have never been sued for their violation of infectious disease treaties).  But even if a court were to hold China responsible for the grave harm caused by its handling of COVID-19, China would just ignore any judgement. For example, when the Permanent Court of Arbitration found that China’s construction of artificial islands in the South China Sea violated international law, Beijing simply ignored the ruling. 

But intentional or unintentional, if China were an individual, a company, or a law-abiding nation, it should provide compensation for the harm it has inflicted globally. If China goes unpunished rogue nation or non-state actors in enemy countries will strike in similar fashion from now on.

Let us see how China can be punished. Maybe quantum of punishment or time taken to make China pay may run into decades. Remember, China need not be treated as an enemy but those making mistakes should be ready to face the music.

India should persuade and join the leading nations to form an understanding and execute the following: -

1. China has been the biggest exporter of steel, chemicals, toys, rare earths, mobiles, electronics, garments, bulk drugs and many other items. Shutdown of manufacturing, transportation and shipping in various countries has disrupted supply chains of raw materials and end-use products. Most companies have realized the risk of depending too much on one country for their sourcing needs. Hence, there is scope for further diversification of supply chains, some of which could come to India.
2. India’s global credibility is getting higher. Our pre-emptive and courageous national lockdown has decisively suppressed the pandemic. India is therefore becoming the natural destination for global corporations that are looking to build more resilient supply chains and diversify away from being too China-centric. Many global players – in industries ranging from pharma to auto parts to apparel – are now actively scouting locations in India such as Ikea, Cisco, and Apple. From the US alone, there are reports of over 220 firms looking to move manufacturing operations from China to India. The post-corona world will require global companies to be able to swiftly source vital inputs from around the world. India is thus ideally suited to become a global manufacturing and services hub.
3. More than 7 billion dollars is expected to come into India as FDI. The increased FDI into Indian market will propel India faster than the rest of the affected countries towards economic growth. At the same time, India was quick to come out with regulations requiring Govt. nod for any FDI from its neighbouring countries. Other countries should also bring in similar regulations against China and their supporting countries.
4. Trade treaties should be revised to enhance efforts to exclude China from buying and selling microchips, artificial intelligence, or biotechnology etc. for example, U.K. government of Boris Johnson (who has COVID-19 now) has gone on to exercise one such punishment by getting rid of Huawei in their 5G program.
5. This is the time to gain from hard bargaining on export/import with China and also issue negative travel advisory to China till further orders. China may recover from Covid-19 earlier than us because pandemic started from China but domestic and international travel in the affected countries will only commence when they have full victory over Covid-19. Therefore, most of the small businesses will wind up their import from China automatically and will produce cheaper goods in India/ their own country.
6. Most of the countries are announcing bailout package to businesses. This is the time to incentivize companies to make in India/their own country. For example, Japan announced incentive worth 2.2 billion dollars to their companies to shift their businesses to Japan.
7. Targeted sanctions on specific Chinese companies and their supporters by freezing their assets and prohibiting (delaying/denying Visa) their travel (like that with North Korea at present). The administration needs to give less importance to the Chinese businessmen/supporters so that they will want to change policy to alleviate their own economic losses.
8. Under its Belt and Road Initiative, Beijing reportedly has loaned billions to developing nations in Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, and then taken over their strategic ports and facilities once the debts fall due. The U.S., Japan, UK, France, Australia and many others with India could turn this strategy on its head by supporting the expropriation of these assets by legal process and the cancellation of these debts as compensation for coronavirus losses.
9.  China has been the biggest exporter of steel, chemicals, toys, rare earths, mobiles, electronics, garments, bulk drugs and many other items. Shutdown of manufacturing, transportation and shipping in various countries has disrupted supply chains of raw materials and end-use products. Most companies have realized the risk of depending too much on one country for their sourcing needs. Hence, there is scope for further diversification of supply chains, some of which could come to India. Coronavirus crisis as a critical opportunity to draw broader support to punish and challenge China with new sanctions, mandates for domestic manufacturing and controls on India’s exports.
10. India & other countries should exclude Chinese scholars and students from scientific research centers and universities.
11. The negative image of China created due to mishandling of Covid-19 will need decades to wean off. This ensures lesser taker for cheap Chinese goods in India/other countries. The Govt. should do nothing to quell fear of Chinese made goods. People should be encouraged to buy country made goods sighting health reasons by advertisements. Till then, the Chinese have to pay the world by waiving off debt of smaller nations, by backing off from being a bully in South China Sea to being accommodating to Japan, Vietnam and other Southeast countries. By being more responsible in World bodies to impose sanctions against terrorist organizations etc.