China: President Envisions
Success of 2022 Games
During a call with International Olympic Committee President
Thomas Bach, President Xi Jinping has pledged* to complete the preparatory work
for the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games as scheduled. China
has largely controlled the Covid-19 pandemic and its economy has already
started on the road to recovery. Construction of the Games venues and other
facilities are going ahead and have already made marked** progress at the
current stage. Beijing will be the only city to have hosted both the summer and
winter Olympic Games. China has also committed to work with the International
Olympic Committee and other countries to hold the Tokyo Olympic Games. President
Xi credits the success of controlling the coronavirus pandemic to the
implementation of strict epidemic control measures. President Bach also
congratulated China for its outstanding achievements in battling the pandemic
and ensuring economic recovery, noting that China will be an important engine
for world growth.
*pledged – commit by a solemn promise
**marked – clearly noticeable
Think about it: Hosting an Olympics Games is not just
about the host country; an important part is the participating countries as
well. Do you think the world will recover in time for the 2021 and 2022 Games?
Malaysia: Possibility Of
Shutting Down Economy To Control Surge In Cases
Malaysia is preparing to shut down most of its economy to
contain the spread of the Covid-19 infections if cases continue to surge. Daily
infections have remained above 3,000 for the past week, and the total number of
infections is over 183,000. The Health Ministry would prefer the imposition* of
a total lockdown on all economic activity except essential services if there is
no improvement in case numbers by Feb 4. Other government ministries are hoping
to allow limited business activities to continue alongside essential services. Although
manufacturing industries have been allowed to continue under the existing
Movement Control Orders, the sector has been linked to almost a third of
Malaysia’s around 300 Covid-19 clusters. The Health Ministry’s data also
consistently shows that workplaces are becoming the main source of Covid-19
clusters. The Finance Minister has admitted that further Movement Control
Orders would reduce the chances of an economic recovery for the country.
*imposition – force an unwelcome ruling on someone
Think about it: How does one weigh the lives of the
country’s population against economic prosperity and recovery?
Indonesia: Covid-19 Cases Surpass
1 Million
Indonesia has passed the grim milestone of 1 million
coronavirus cases, straining hospitals in the fourth-most populous nation in
the world. Patients are being turned away or forced to wait at hospitals which
are overwhelmed with Covid-19 cases, with many having occupancy rates above
90%. Epidemiologists fear that the country’s healthcare system could possibly
collapse. They also warned that while the vaccine is being administered, the
government should continue to arrest the pandemic through testing, contact
tracing, restricting of people’s mobility and making sure that people adhere*
to health protocols. There is a concern that the vaccines might cause people to
become complacent. Adding to the problems are the huge disparity in educational
and economic backgrounds among the population affecting the level of awareness.
As such, Indonesia might be forced to return to large-scale social restrictions
to reduce the number of cases in Southeast Asia’s worst hit country.
*adhere – believe in and follow the practices of
Think about it: Should Indonesia ration healthcare, where
only the most severely ill get to be admitted to hospitals?