How China used the media to spread its Covid narrative and win friends around the world
China’s image plummeted in North America, but over half of 50 nations surveyed at the end of 2020 reported coverage of China had become more positive in their national media since the onset of the pandemic.
By Julia Bergin May 13, 2021, 9:42 a.m.
May 13, 2021, 9:42 a.m.
At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, Chinese President Xi Jinping enjoyed prime real estate in the centre of Serbia’s capital, Belgrade: his face plastered across a billboard with the words “Thank you brother Xi.”
The sign, courtesy of the pro-government tabloid Informer, was in response to China sending Covid-19 medical supplies to Serbia. It joined a long list of pro-China offerings of thanks from nations around the world during the pandemic in the form of overt propaganda or more subtle media messages.
Photo: ANDINA/JNE
21:11 | Santiago (Chile), Apr. 1. Peruvians residing in Chile will not be able to participate in the general elections scheduled for April 11, due to the implementation of health measures against COVID-19 that restrict the movement of people residing in such nation, the National Office of Electoral Processes (ONPE) said on Thursday.
According to ONPE, Peru s Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a note from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, which states that cities of Antofagasta, Iquique, Concepcion, and Santiago are in Phase 1, while Arica and Copiapo are in Phase 2 of the government s step-by-step reopening plan, thus preventing Peruvian nationals from casting their vote as planned.
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Facilitating investment
Additionally, both countries agreed that they will continue to promote efforts to facilitate long-term investment, including the negotiations aimed at signing a convention to avoid double taxation.
For its part, Peru reiterated its interest in achieving a short-stay visa waiver for Peruvian citizens traveling to the UK, in order to foster stronger ties between both nations.
COVID-19 and climate agenda
The delegations highlighted the efforts made to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of joint cooperation to fight it, including the participation in the COVAX Facility mechanism, which aims to ensure equal and fair access to the vaccines.