273

Why did the government initially conceal the epidemic after SARS broke out in China? (see 272) The answer is: baoxibubaoyou (报喜不报忧), a word which you must know if you want to understand China.

The meaning of the word is: the government (including central government and local governments) only releases good news, such as a bumper harvest in a province, and doesn't release bad news.

If a local government releases bad news (such as SARS), then senior officials of the local government probably are dismissed, and even arrested on charges of neglect or dereliction of duty.

So since the party came to power in 1949, the word has been the most important motto of all officials at all levels, and no one wants to take the initiative to release bad news, including COVID-19.