How China's industrial Internet is fighting Covid-19

"For most people alive today, anywhere in the world, we have never faced a crisis of such magnitude. It is the first true test of our ability to stand together in the face of a common enemy"

An aerial view shows the newly completed Huoshenshan Hospital. Digital tools helped coordinate its design and construction-Image: REUTERS

• Taking advantage of emerging technologies, including Big Data and artificial intelligence, has enabled China to respond rapidly to the impacts of COVID-19 and to fight against its spread;

• New hospitals were built in record time and millions of students were able to resume their learning online thanks to the industrial internet;

• From coordinating community volunteers to offer municipal programmes online, digital platforms have helped empower citizens in the fight against the virus.

The outbreak of COVID-19 has brought huge challenges across the globe.

There are contradictions and conflicts, but also an unprecedented spirit within humanity to defeat this scourge. Beyond national borders, countries are working together to combat the coronavirus, utilizing joint prevention and control mechanisms while sharing resources and information.

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In China, people have joined together to contain the virus’ spread. Their achievements have been nothing short of heroic given the exponential rise in confirmed cases, a huge and densely-packed population and the world’s largest human migration simultaneously occurring during the Chinese New Year festivities in January and February.

The involvement of Tencent, a Chinese internet technology company, in promoting the power of digital, is testament to the rise of the industrial internet in the fight against the virus.

While the consumer internet provides services such as social networking and e-commerce to consumers who are self-isolating, its industrial counterpart, focusing primarily on business and industry, has worked to safeguard society’s normal operation, making a profound contribution which we will call the “ACE effect”.

Accelerator: a new speed record

Incorporating technologies, including 5G, artificial intelligence, Big Data and cloud computing, the industrial internet is a new, pan-industry infrastructure. Connecting data, while promoting data sharing and its evolving importance, enables the coordination of the entire industry chain. This has given the Chinese manufacturing industry a dramatic boost, leading to an amazing string of new production records.

An excellent example is the newly built Huoshenshan and Leishenshan Hospitals, which offer 2,600 beds in total.

Containing the virus’ spread required additional facilities to handle the patient load and construction workers took just 10 days and 12 days respectively to build and equip both. Digital tools like BIM (Building Information Modelling), allowed the hospitals’ design institutes to utilize the industrial internet, bringing together hundreds of BIM designers nationwide. The hospitals’ design plans were produced in 24 hours and construction drawings in only 60 hours. Onsite construction was so well-organized that thousands of machines were monitored and coordinated in real-time through an industrial internet platform.


https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1421909607991805

From 1 January to 7 February, more than 3,000 Chinese companies incorporated the production of medical supplies into their business scopes, dynamically increasing the production scale of masks, protective clothing and disinfectants. The industrial internet has enabled this rapid, cross-sector production. A well-aligned, start-to-finish and modular industry chain allowed companies to rapidly change processes and produce new product types while absorbing large-scale changes to volume, capacity or capability.

Change-maker: the cyber-world becomes the real world

The outbreak increased the digitalization of sectors including medical services, office work and education. In turn, these newly digital products have reshaped people’s perceptions and behaviours. Society has experienced an irreversible leap into digital life.

Following the outbreak, Tencent, Alibaba and vertical online healthcare platforms like DXY began offering the public remote medical services. People consulted with online doctors, conducted self-assessments and decided whether to go to a hospital for further medical checks or remain at home. These simple screening tools reduced non-essential hospital visits and caregiver workloads while mitigating the risks of cross-infection.

Remote technology has enabled hospitals to share their best resources over great distances. Thanks to China’s 5G networks, many Wuhan hospitals, have been able to connect with counterparts in Beijing, allowing experts in the capital to provide real-time consultation based on ultra-high-definition images.

China is leading the way in development of 5G technology China is leading the way in development of 5G technology Image: Statista

Keeping 276 million students learning online has advanced the digitalization of education. In mid-February, the government ordered more than a quarter of a billion full-time students to resume their studies through online platforms - the largest “online movement” in the history of education. Hundreds of industrial internet-based online educational platforms now provide free-of-charge, individual live streaming services or share their open class content. During the Spring Festival period, Tencent Classroom alone added nearly 1.28 million new users.

Starting with remote offices, the digitalization of business and human resource management has moved up the agendas of corporate managers. Online collaborative platforms from Tencent, Alibaba, Huawei, Byte Dance and Baidu have been refined to meet surging consumer demand. Tencent Conference added more than 100,000 Cloud Hosts in only eight days between 29 January and 6 February.

Enabler: a new co-governance model for modern society

During this period a new type of social governance has arisen; one enabled by the industrial internet. Governments now actively engage partners to improve the efficiency and quality of municipal services. Empowered by digital tools, communities and people are active stakeholders in social governance. Co-governance, involving multiple participants, is emerging as a new model for today’s increasingly complicated society.

In China, the digital provision of municipal services infiltrates government agencies in many cities. The outbreak has expedited this process and agencies have digitized further. By 8 February, there were 100-plus municipal service “mini programmes” featuring epidemic status information. On WeChat, these programmes grew their users by nearly 60% in under 3 weeks.

Importantly, the industrial internet has empowered communities and people in the war against COVID-19. Through digital platforms, volunteer teams of residents within communities assist in disinfection and deliver supplies aided by digital community management and communication tools.

US cases of COVID-19 have now surpassed those in China US cases of COVID-19 have now surpassed those in China Image: Statista

In addition, the advent of the “Health QR Code” lets users submit information regarding travel to major epidemic outbreak regions and details close contact with infected people and other relevant information. A three-colour scale indicates the person’s recent virus-related health history, enabling them to cooperatively comply with virus-related prevention and control policies.

Through the “ACE effect”, the industrial internet provides a fundamental infrastructure for empowering individuals and organizations. Enterprises, government and individuals have all actively engaged in the war on COVID-19 through the advantage supplied by this technology and the advantage this creates has helped China to almost stop the outbreak.

What is the World Economic Forum doing about the coronavirus outbreak?

A new strain of Coronavirus, COVID 19, is spreading around the world, causing deaths and major disruption to the global economy.

Responding to this crisis requires global cooperation among governments, international organizations and the business community, which is at the centre of the World Economic Forum’s mission as the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.

The Forum has created the COVID Action Platform, a global platform to convene the business community for collective action, protect people’s livelihoods and facilitate business continuity, and mobilize support for the COVID-19 response. The platform is created with the support of the World Health Organization and is open to all businesses and industry groups, as well as other stakeholders, aiming to integrate and inform joint action.

As an organization, the Forum has a track record of supporting efforts to contain epidemics. In 2017, at our Annual Meeting, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) was launched – bringing together experts from government, business, health, academia and civil society to accelerate the development of vaccines. CEPI is currently supporting the race to develop a vaccine against this strand of the coronavirus.

The Forum has created the COVID Action Platform, a global platform to convene the business community for collective action, protect people’s livelihoods and facilitate business continuity, and mobilize support for the COVID-19 response. The platform is created with the support of the World Health Organization and is open to all businesses and industry groups, as well as other stakeholders, aiming to integrate and inform joint action.

As an organization, the Forum has a track record of supporting efforts to contain epidemics. In 2017, at our Annual Meeting, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) was launched – bringing together experts from government, business, health, academia and civil society to accelerate the development of vaccines. CEPI is currently supporting the race to develop a vaccine against this strand of the coronavirus.

These enabling capabilities will outlast the COVID-19 pandemic and make lasting contributions to the sustainable development of mankind. Tencent’s partnership with the UN, in recognition of its upcoming 75th anniversary, is a good example. The initiative will ask millions of participants worldwide how our planet should look in 2045 and what role international cooperation can play in solving our common challenges, both now and in the future.

For most people alive today, anywhere in the world, we have never faced a crisis of such magnitude. It is the first true test of our ability to stand together in the face of a common enemy.

Now is the time for neighbourliness, not hostility. Let this event serve as a wake-up call: our governments must be responsible to the people and enter into a collaborative relationship for the well-being of this and future generations. Should we lose, then we lose together; when we achieve victory it will be because we did it together.

Lau Sengyee, Senior Executive Vice President, Chairman of Group Marketing and Global Branding, Tencent

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WHO: quarantine politicizing COVID-19, while US hegemony in peril amid COVID-19 pandemic

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The director-general of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, delivered a powerful warning to world leaders to not politicize the response to COVID-19, saying doing so will lead to more deaths.

"If we want to win, please quarantine politicizing COVID-19," Tedros said.

Tedros made the stern comments at a WHO press briefing Wednesday in response to a question about recent criticisms made by U.S. President Donald Trump, defending the organization about what they've done since the first known case was brought to their attention 100 days ago.

"So my advice, three things," the director-general said, "please, unity at the national level, no using COVID for political points. Second, honest solidarity at the global level. And honest leadership from the U.S. and China."

Tedros also got personal, saying he received many criticisms and even death threats over the last three months, but cares more about humanity being insulted with politicizing a virus that has killed more than 60,000 people so far.

“If you don’t want any more body bags, then you must refrain from politicizing it.”

The WHO has been criticized for its decision not to call COVID-19 a pandemic until March 11, long after many experts suggested it should do so.


US hegemony in peril amid COVID-19 pandemic

The raging COVID-19 pandemic not only challenges and tests the ability of countries to contain the virus but also has far-reaching implications for the international system, which has become a catalyst in accelerating the evolution of the current international order.

On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump lashed out at the World Health Organization (WHO), accusing the world health body, which is largely funded by the US, as "China centric" and threatened to halt its funding. Echoing Trump, his right-hand man US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday the US administration is reevaluating WHO funding, adding "we take taxpayer money and give it to them for the benefit of America, we need to make sure it's delivering on those taxpayer dollars." Such remarks are worthy of attention as they have eroded the moral ground of the US hegemony and forced people to contemplate on how to effectively provide the world the much-needed public goods during these changing times.

In the fight against the novel coronavirus, WHO, an international intergovernmental organization within the framework of the United Nations, has played its proper role in releasing information, sharing data and material and raising cautions. To be fair, WHO has done everything in its power to address the COVID-19 pandemic challenges within its existing framework and responsibilities.

From a theoretical perspective of international relations, the US, as a hegemonic power and global leader, should assume responsibility for providing the global public goods. The worldwide spread of the novel coronavirus suggests that the problem is not about outdated global governance or a global governance surplus, but there is insufficient traction of global governance. The key reason is the US, at the center of global leadership, does not have enough capacity or willingness to provide the global public goods. The two pillars of US hegemony - military strength and financial system - can only play a very limited role in this fight against the virus. Given the US' prevailing attitude toward the WHO, it is necessary to reconsider the US and European countries' real purpose of establishing international organizations, and whether this purpose meets people's needs and the challenges that the world will face in the future.

Be it the US or Europe, both initially showed their contempt and disregard when facing the global spread of COVID-19, followed by a shortsighted approach. The US and Europe could have had enough time to react and they possess sufficient resources and technology. However, the pandemic befell because of their visible loopholes in cognition and emergency action capabilities.

From this point of view, the COVID-19 outbreak, and the statements and actions made by the US and the efforts of developed European countries to shirk responsibility reflect that they have given up the leadership roles and obligations of global governance that they once took for granted. The immediate consequence is that the moral ground - the most important asset of US hegemony - has been severely slashed.

This moral basis was established through the long-term dissemination of liberalism and neoliberalism during and after the Cold War. Its core idea is to emphasize the "morality" behind the US hegemony and the justice of the public goods that the US provides for the whole world. By providing such public goods, the US has gained leadership and influence of the international community. However, the US has not shown enough convincing leadership in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, new leadership in global governance has begun to shift to countries with the will and ability.

For the emerging countries, represented by China, they have a clear understanding or even consensus on the direction of the new approach to global governance. In other words, governance must strive to achieve the basic vision of a community with a shared future for mankind. Only in the common interest of mankind, such as human life and health, can governance reach a higher level of international coordination and respond more effectively to the impacts, challenges, and tests of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite the ups and downs, the general trend of globalization is irreversible. Since the US is somehow willing to give up its constructive role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the history will inevitably move forward to completely turn the page of US hegemony.

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Free to travel: The Wuhan lockdown was lifted on april 8 after 76 days of tough isolation measures. — Bloomberg

IN three to nine months when the global Covid-19 pandemic subsides or ends, Beijing, which has put its domestic coronavirus contagion under control, may not be able to smile and celebrate with the rest of the world.

The path ahead is filled with challenges for China, the magnitude of which could be frightening.

This economic giant of the East, now leading the global fight against Covid-19, is likely to continue to face a barrage of accusations – or even lies – that could prompt opportunistic and hostile countries to demand compensations to the tune of billions or even trillions from Beijing based on the current narratives.

In short, China – the first country to be hit by the coronavirus, will have to brace itself for another intense battle after defeating the invisible coronavirus with a huge cost and sacrifice. If the republic is not prepared for these future challenges, its strong manufacturing sector may suffer, its important position in the global supply chain and its economy will be derailed.

This is the post Covid-19 scenario painted by Chinese netizens on social media, as they warn their leaders to stop giving free aid or sell medical supplies cheap to “ungrateful and evil” countries.

The worries of the Chinese nationals are not unfounded. They stem from recent news flow and anti-China remarks made by the US and its allies.

In Washington, China faces criticism over the way it had handled the pandemic, lack of transparency and alleged delay in sharing crucial information with the world on the virus. US President Donald Trump, who labelled the coronavirus the “Chinese virus” last month, has often said Beijing should have acted faster to warn the world of the risk. He has even expressed doubt over Chinese data on infections and deaths. All these verbal assaults are hurled at China even as the US and its allies are receiving Chinese aid or made-in-China surgical masks, ventilators, Covid-19 test kits and protective gear. As its production of masks is fast and efficient, accounting for about 50% of the world’s output, countries short of supply now have to turn to China for this essential commodity.

Out and about: People wearing face masks walking near a shopping complex after the lockdown in Wuhan was lifted. — Reuter

Although China has been sharing its experience and expertise in locking down Wuhan from Jan 23 to April 7 to curb the spread of the virus, it still has to endure incessant finger-pointing just because the first Covid-19 outbreak occured there.

While Trump has stopped calling it the “Chinese virus”, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and other senior officials have stepped up their campaign against China, insisting on labelling Covid-19 as “Chinese virus” and “Wuhan virus”.

By using the label, they are insinuating that the virus had originated from Wuhan. And by extention, China should compensate the virus-hit countries whose economies have been derailed and social life disrupted.

One class action lawsuit against China has been filed in the Federal Court in the US seeking damages suffered from the Covid-19 pandemic. The stigmatisation of China by US continues unabated despite the release of more and more studies – including those from the US – indicating that the virus could have originated from the US.

China has become the scapegoat for the US and other countries for their failings. They have not taken speedy action to control the spread of the disease despite watching China suffer in January through to March.

What angers the Chinese most is that in some countries, China’s kindness and generosity in extending help is cast with suspicion. It is not reciprocated with gratitude.

Recently, the European Union’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called on the bloc to be ready for a “struggle for influence” with Beijing. Some EU ministers even insinuated that Chinese aid is aimed at undermining European unity, after Italy and Serbia thanked Beijing profusedly for its help.

In response to remarks by a French minister claiming Beijing is waging a global propaganda campaign, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Hua Chunying retorted: “Do they wish to see China standing by idly while witnessing other countries suffer from the severe pandemic and losing lives? Do they think they can do better than China in handling the disease?”

Hua took the opportunity to reiterate China’s belief that only international solidarity, cooperation and mutual respect can overcome the difficulties. Stating Beijing’s objective is to save lives and help the world end the pandemic, she added: “China will not forget the international community had given it valuable support and help at the most difficult time in the country’s fight against Covid-19. Beijing is willing to reciprocate the kindness of others.”

China has said it has extended help to more than 127 countries in their fight against coronavirus.

It has given free medical aid to the world’s least-developed nations, such as Laos, Myanmar, Bangladesh and some African countries. Together with its private sector led by Alibaba Foundation and Huawei, it has also donated free medical supplies to almost all Southeast Asian nations and Pakistan. In response to calls for help from the US and traditional American allies like Spain, France and Japan, China has acted without hesitation. However, after getting medical supplies from China, some countries showed their ugly side.

Spain’s action was shocking and crude. After receiving the first batch of supplies in late March, the Spanish government returned 9,000 “quick result” test kits to China because they were “sub-standard”.

The sensibility of the test was only 30%, against the 80% expected. China responded by conducting its own probe. It was discovered that the test kits Spain bought were from an unlicensed Chinese firm, and the test kits the Spanish government ordered from the Chinese government had not arrived. Currently, Spain is among the worst-hit countries in the pandemic that has engulfed the whole globe.

In Asia, Beijing came to the rescue of Japan – one of the earliest countries to donate medical supplies to China in late January. When the Princess Diamond cruise ship docked in Japan, China donated test kits to the National Institute of Infectious Diseases in Japan. In the West, China sent France, Germany, Britain and US the much-needed medical supplies.

Chinese presence is also felt in Iran, the Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Liberia, Serbia and India.

But not all news is depressing for the Chinese.

Beijing has been showered with praise and gratitude by countries desperate for help. Many Italians sang Chinese national anthem and hoisted Chinese national flag from their flats after Beijing sent more than 300 experienced doctors to Rome to share their expertise and experience.

In early March, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic – who failed to get help from EU countries – said during a televised address: “European solidarity does not exist. I believe in my brother and friend Xi Jinping.”

Although China had admitted it was not perfect in its initial handling of Covid-19, the World Health Organisation (WHO) still praises Beijing’s response and for its appropriate strategies in battling the virus, which has claimed over 3,300 deaths in the country.

The crisis in China is largely over, while the rest of the world is still busy fighting the Covid-19 war. In recent days, the daily domestic infections in China have fallen to zero or near zero, although it is still dealing with imported cases.

On Wednesday, the 76-day lockdown on Wuhan was lifted with cheer and celebrations.

While China has often emphasized international solidarity and cooperation to end the pandemic, its leaders have indicated the country will face more challenges post Covid-19.

The concerns of its people on social media could be felt in the editorial of Global Times on April 6: “As a major country that was among the firsts to bring the novel coronavirus under control, China must prepare to face an extremely complicated situation.”

China believes the pandemic is unlikely to end quickly and knows this will impact the world order and trigger turmoil, according to the official media of China.

It said: “Nationalists and populists may have more room to fan the flames and China is likely to become the target of certain Western leaders to displace their peoples’ anger and disappointment. China may face much more serious risks in international politics.”

During a key leadership meeting on Wednesday, Xi warned that new challenges have emerged for China’s work resumption and economic/social development. In a statement released after the meeting, Xi called for “preparedness in mind and work” to cope with external environment changes and demanded other Chinese leaders to redouble efforts in economic and social development.

Lest others forget this: China Today is not the Old China during the Ching Dynasty.

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Credible media vital in fight against coronavirus and epidemic of fake news

Taking risks: Journalists have been working overtime to keep the communities they serve updated and help them make sense of the fast-evolving and far-reaching crisis, like this newsman in London. – AFP

The stakes are high as Covid-19 is dealing a severe blow to newsrooms' ability to operate as revenues dry up

As the coronavirus continues its relentless spread across the world,, infecting over a million people and killing tens of thousands, news stories of lockdowns,, social distancing and overwhelmed hospitals have been making the headlines just about everywhere.

Newsrooms have been working overtime to keep the communities they serve updated. Audiences have surged. Apart from news reports, people are turning to analyses and commentaries, videos and explainers, to help them make sense of the fast-evolving and far-reaching crisis.

Amid the welter of information swirling about on social media, professional newsrooms that have long invested in building expertise have been meeting the public's hunger for objective reporting, based on journalists speaking to informed sources, providing context and perspective, drawing on historical knowledge and institutional memory.

These have also helped inoculate communities against that  other virus that is on the rampage - fake news, which is sowing anxiety and confusion, as well as undermining the public's trust in the reliability of information they receive at this critical time.

In the process, some reporters have succumbed to the coronavirus while on the job, having to be isolated and quarantined. Some newsrooms have had to evacuate hurriedly, with staff rushing home, laptops in hand, to try to keep their platforms updated and the presses rolling.

THE DANGER OF 'NEWS DESERTS' AND 'INFODEMICS'

But here's the heart-breaking news: Among the victims in the intensive care unit, gasping for breath, are some of the media organisations themselves, alongside many others from sectors that have also been hard hit, from aviation to retail.

Several, especially local and vernacular titles, might not be able to meet their financial commitments, or even pay staff salaries, in the months ahead.

Advertising is drying up, plunging by between 30 per cent and 80 per cent, according to a recent survey by the World Association of News Publishers. Revenues from media-related events, a new and growing source of funds, have also plunged as social distancing measures are put in place.

Many newsrooms, including The Straits Times, have also made content on the pandemic freely available, as a public service, thereby constraining their ability to grow revenues from subscriptions.

The upshot of this is both ironic and tragic: At a time when audiences are turning increasingly to established media titles, as recent surveys have shown, newsrooms are seeing their resources gutted, and some are even being shut.

In the United States, Gannett, the largest American newspaper chain, announced last week plans to cut salaries and lay off some staff temporarily, while Rupert Murdoch's News Corp has said it will stop print editions of 60 newspapers in Australia, with similar measures being taken in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.

This has heightened concerns about the emergence of "news deserts" - communities with no access to local government and community news as media groups cease to exist there.

There is also much angst over "ghost newsrooms", titles that are snapped up by investors as they are still profitable, who then slash their reporting capabilities to boost margins, resulting in a lack of resources to produce local, original or independent content.

The implications of these developments for society are grave. At a time when communities are most in need of critical information, many newsrooms are increasingly hampered and finding it harder to deliver on their mission.

This has led the World Health Organisation to warn of a coming "infodemic", with misinformation spreading and undermining public trust at a crucial time.

To be sure, the financial struggles faced by newsrooms are hardly news. Oxford historian Timothy Garton Ash pointed to this in a keynote address at the St Gallen Symposium in Switzerland in May 2017.

He said: "Very simply, the Internet is destroying the business model of newspapers. For at least two centuries, we have had a public good - news, the information we need for democracy - delivered by private means... People would pay for a newspaper and (there was also) advertising revenue. The Internet has just knocked away both these pillars. So the newspapers produce the information. Facebook and Google get the profit.

"And this has a very negative effect on the newspapers on which we have relied for our news... The amount of serious news, investigative journalism and foreign reporting is going down because that's expensive.

"This is a real problem for the journalism we need for democracy."

Covid-19, however, has mercilessly compounded this challenge and hastened both the shift to digital and the plunge in advertising.

ALTERNATIVE FUNDING MODELS

So, is there an antidote to the virus-induced media malaise? Among the proposals that media leaders have been making urgently to their stakeholders are these:

• Declaring the media an essential service: To enable journalists to go about their jobs during lockdowns, keeping newsrooms functioning and news agents running;

• Granting financial assistance: These include tax breaks or holidays, short-term loans and wage subsidies to help newsrooms pay their staff and bills in the face of falling revenues. Denmark has set up a €25 million (S$39 million) fund which will grant news outlets that have recently seen revenues fall by between 30 per cent and 50 per cent relief of up to 60 per cent of their losses, while in Lithuania, state subsidies are also given for critical infrastructure such as broadcasting and printing facilities;

• Giving tax incentives for advertisers and subscribers: In Italy, advertisers are given tax deductions of 30 per cent of their spending in newspapers and online, while Canada allows subscribers to news titles to claim tax relief;

• Stepping up government advertising: Public education campaigns tied to the pandemic can help make up for the fall in private advertising;

• Making Big Tech pay: Technology platforms should be pressed, as France has done, to make more meaningful contributions to the news outlets they rely on for content.

But while these steps might see media groups through the crisis, they are not without risks. Not least of which is the damage that could be done to the credibility of the media if it becomes overly dependent on state funding. This is especially a concern in societies with painful experiences of governments seeking to muzzle the media, through cuts in funding and advertising, shutdowns of newsrooms and even arrests of journalists.

To safeguard against this, beyond the crisis, new business models will also have to be fashioned to ensure the media remains viable and sustainable for the long haul.

Various experiments are now under way. While some big players like The New York Times and Financial Times are growing subscription revenues from readers, others such as The Washington Post, South China Morning Post and Los Angeles Times have been bought by wealthy business leaders, who have given these newsrooms a boost by investing in journalism and technology.

Elsewhere, media groups have been given mandates by the state, with funding for public service broadcasts and journalism, as in France, Britain and the Scandinavian countries.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Some newsrooms have opted to be public trusts or not-for-profit companies, with a mission to provide public service journalism, such as The Guardian in the UK, and The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Salt Lake Tribune in the US, and also Japan's Nikkei group.

Which of these models works best remains unclear; nor perhaps is there likely to be one model that works for all, given the very different political histories and cultures that newsrooms operate in around the world.

This much is certain: The coronavirus pandemic might have begun as a public health crisis, but some wrenching economic, social and political changes could follow in the months to come.

People and communities will need to make sense of developments unfolding around them as well as to figure out the way forward. To do so, citizens and voters will need news organisations they consider credible, which they can rely on, and trust.

The writer is president of the World Editors Forum (WEF), a network of editors that is part of the World Association of News Publishers. This opinion piece was endorsed by members of the board of the WEF, in solidarity with newsrooms around the world.

Warren Fernandez

Editor-in-Chief

Specific non-essential industries allowed to operate during extended MCO

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The Federal Government will allow some industries to operate during the extended movement control order (MCO), but the health and safety of the workers remain a top priority, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (pic). He said these industries, which include non-essential and professional services, must apply online from 9am on Monday (April 13) on the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s (Miti) website www.miti.gov.my for permission to operate during the MCO period.

The MCO was extended yesterday for the second time to April 28, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has severely impacted economic activities.

The list from Miti includes industries such as automotive, machinery and equipment, aerospace, construction projects, social health services including traditional and complementary medicine practitioners, hardware and electrical shops, opticians as well as full-service laundrettes and hair salons/barber shops (haircuts only).

Azmin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, warned that permission given to these industries will be revoked immediately if the business did not comply with the stated standard operating procedures.

“The decision was made after we realised the need to open up more economic sectors as the Covid-19 pandemic is not only affecting the health of the people but is also affecting the economy, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“We found that the level of compliance from the government’s decision to allow several critical manufacturing and services sectors to operate during the first phase of the MCO had been good.

“Nevertheless, the government continues to monitor the compliance of the conditions as stipulated by the Health Ministry and also to ensure that health screening and preventive measures are implemented for the safety of employees and customers.

“This step is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the country’s economy post-Covid-19, to prevent the loss of jobs among Malaysians and to ensure that the rakyat continue to have access to basic needs and critical products throughout the MCO period, ” he said.Azmin is also co-chair of a Special Cabinet Committee to Mitigate the Impact of Covid-19 on the Economy and Labour Market, which later made proposals to the Cabinet.

He said among the considerations the Cabinet took into account before deciding on which industries could operate were the stability of export activities, survival of SMEs, and the size of the workforce.

Muhyiddin stressed that the decision was not a case of easing the MCO, but one where the approved businesses must follow strict procedures.

“I must emphasise that while we allow some sectors to re-open, this does not mean that we are relaxing the MCO. The order is still being enforced and orders issued by authorities must be followed, ” he said.On another matter, he said there was a possibility that schools would remain closed for a while until the authorities were convinced that the Covid-19 situation was completely under control.

Click to Enlarge

The Education Ministry has been asked to implement home-based learning initiatives to be implemented during the MCO period and possibly until school re-opens, the Prime Minister added.

“I have read comments from parents on Facebook and many want the school closure to be extended. Parents are worried about their children’s safety.

“I, too, have school-going grandchildren and like you, I worry for them. Who doesn’t love their children, more so grandchildren?” he said.

Muhyiddin has also directed the authorities to enhance surveillance and checks along the country’s borders to prevent illegal entries.

“Along our borders there are many illegal routes that can be used to enter the country.

“If we don’t beef up the control and surveillance along our borders, illegal immigrants can bring Covid-19 into the country.

“That is why I have ordered the authorities to ensure there are stricter border controls, ” he added.

Muhyiddin also expressed his gratitude to all frontliners, including medical workers, police, army, enforcement personnel and delivery personnel, on duty during the MCO period, describing them as “great people”.

Govt allows more businesses, like hair salon, optometry, to open during MCO

The government will allow an additional list of businesses to operate during the movement control order (MCO), but the health and safety of workers remains a top priority, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The list includes traditional and complementary medicine, hardware and electrical shops, optometry, manned laundrettes and hair salons (restricted to haircuts) will be allowed to operate.

Azmin, who is the International Trade and Industry Minister, said these businesses were in addition to industries such as automotive, machineries and equipment, aerospace and construction projects.

He added that the industries, which include non-essential services and products, must apply online from 9am on Monday (April 13) to the International Trade and Industry Ministry's (Miti) website www.miti.gov.my for permission to operate during the MCO.

The MCO was extended on Friday (April 10) for the third time to April 28, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Azmin warned that permission would be revoked immediately if the businesses did not comply with the stated standard operating procedures.

"The decision was made after realising the need to open up more economic sectors as the Covid-19 pandemic is not only affecting the health of the people but also affecting the economy, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he said in a statement.

He said the level of compliance by several critical manufacturing and services sectors to operate during the first phase of the MCO had been good.

"Nevertheless, the government continues to monitor the compliance as stipulated by the Health Ministry and also to ensure that health screening and preventive measures are implemented for the safety of employees and customers.

"This step is necessary in order to ensure the sustainability of the country’s economy post Covid-19, to prevent the loss of jobs among Malaysians and to ensure that the rakyat continue to have access to the basic needs and critical products throughout the MCO period," he said.

Azmin is also co-chair of a special cabinet committee to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and labour Market, which later made proposals to the Cabinet.

He said in considering which industries could operate, the government looked at the stability of the export activities, survival of SMEs and size of workforce.

Here is the full list:

1. Automotive industry (limited to exports of CBU, parts and components, plus after-sale services)

2. Machinery and equipment industry

3. Aerospace industry

4. Construction projects and services related to construction works:

- Projects whereby the main contractors are G1–G2

- Projects that have achieved physical progress of 90% and above

- Tunnelling works

- Maintenance works

- Sloping works

- Emergency works that are consequent to contractual obligations

- Maintenance, cleaning and drying of stagnant water, spraying of pesticides at construction sites which prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and other pests

- Other works that if left incomplete may result in danger

- Building projects with 70 IBS score and above

- Construction projects with accommodation facilities for workers, such as centralised quarters for workers or workers’ camp

- Professional services related to the construction industry including architects, engineers, town-planners, land surveyors, quantity surveyors, project managers, facility managers as well as other relevant services

5. Science, professional and technical services, including R&D (services incidental to legal practice, services incidental to oil and gas, R&D activities related to Covid-19, and testing labs for the sectors allowed to operate)

6. Social health services including registered traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practitioners

7. Hardware shops, electrical and electronic (E&E) shops and optometrists in the wholesale and retail industry

8. Laundry services (only those offering full-service and does not include self-service laundrettes)

9. Barber shops and hair salons (offering haircuts only)

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