Whistleblower Doctor Who Alleged China's SARS Cover-up Dies

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Facts

  • Jiang Yanyong, a former PRC military surgeon who blew the whistle on Chinese authorities' alleged cover-up of the 2003 SARS [SARS-CoV-1] epidemic, died of pneumonia on Saturday at the age of 91.1
  • A source who knows Jiang’s family said the surgeon tested positive for COVID in January, but it is unknown if he died from the virus.2
  • Yanyong gained notoriety after he sent a letter in April 2003 — accusing the Chinese government of understating the severity of the SARS outbreak. After Chinese media ignored Yanyong’s email of the letter, Western outlets leaked it to the public.3
  • Yanyong served as a chief surgeon at the People’s Liberation Army’s primary hospital in Beijing during the student-led protests centered around Tiananmen Square in 1989. He and his wife were put on house arrest periodically for their statements.4
  • Even in his old age, Yanyong was still a politically sensitive public figure, and news of his death was not reported in Chinese state media.5
  • Jiang is survived by his wife Hua Zhongwei and his two children.2

Sources: 1BBC News, 2South china morning post, 3Associated Press, 4New York Post and 5Reuters.

Narratives

  • Anti-China narrative, as provided by The diplomat. China covered up the SARS-CoV-1 outbreak in 2003, which cost thousands of lives. Afterward, China used its failures in addressing that crisis to create a state of complete control when the COVID [SARS-CoV-2] pandemic erupted in 2020. Instead of apologizing for its mistakes, China ignored any responsibility while setting up gruesome propaganda that restricted basic rights during the most recent pandemic.
  • Pro-China narrative, as provided by Nhc. China has been on the cutting edge of fighting viral diseases for two decades, and its scientists have learned from the SARS outbreak of 2003 to improve its efforts against COVID. PRC doctors have expedited processes and created technology that can detect and fight against viruses coronaviruses. While deadly outbreaks are tragic, China is learning as information evolves to make the world safer.