Context
The Xi’an lockdown caused an outpouring of tales of despair and anguish on social media. One incident in particular, where an eight-month-pregnant woman was barred from entering a hospital due to COVID-19 protocols, and spent hours bleeding until she miscarried, led to widespread outrage on the Chinese internet.
In an epidemic prevention and control press conference held in Xi’an on January 7, an official from the municipal health administration provided an update on the ongoing efforts (in Chinese) to bring the outbreak under control, yet again apologizing for mistakes made. Some of the social media comments on the update criticized the government for doing too little too late, treating the symptoms and not the root issues:
头痛医头脚痛医脚…这样的做法完全是傻子，连本质矛盾都发现不了，这些领导还在这个位置上干什么？
Treating the symptoms and ignoring the root issues… This approach is totally idiotic. They cannot even identify the nature of the problem. Why have these officials not been sacked yet?
Backstory and translation
This colloquial phrase can be traced back to the Song dynasty philosopher and government official Zhū Xī 朱熹 in a collection of his works and records of conversations between him and his students (朱子语类 zhūzǐ yǔlèi) published in 1270.
Zhu was influential in the development of Neo-Confucianism and is credited with greatly influencing Chinese philosophy and reshaping China’s worldview. Among other accomplishments, Zhu edited a version of the Four Books (四书 sìshū), which later formed the curriculum of the civil service exam in Imperial China until 1905.
Xí Jìnpíng 习近平 likes to quote Zhu. On a trip to Fujian Province in March last year, Xi’s first stop was Wǔyíshān 武夷山, where he visited a park dedicated to Zhu Xi. Zhu was born in what is now Fujian, which is also where Xi began his political career.
The phrase “treat the symptom, not the disease” can be used to criticize government policy that is reactive, piecemeal, and fails to solve the real issues at hand. In the case of Xi’an, the criticism was that the local government only introduced policies after problems, which could have been easily avoided, had tragically already happened.
Phrase of the Week is a weekly column on SupChina — click here for the full archive.
Note: This article have been indexed to our site. We do not claim legitimacy, ownership or copyright of any of the content above. To see the article at original source Click Here
PULIDIKI Car Cleaning Gel Detailing Putty Interior Cleaner Slime Car Accessories Stocking Stuffers for Men Women Teens White Elephant Gifts for Adults
$5.59 (as of December 14, 2024 19:31 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Elemtansy Ships Next Day, Personalized 40 Oz Tumbler with Handle and Straw, Custom Stainless Steel Insulated Tumbler with Name Travel Coffee Mug Personalized Gifts for Women Girls
$30.99 (as of December 14, 2024 19:31 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
BISSELL® Little Green® Cordless Multi-Purpose Portable Deep Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, 3682 + Spot & Stain with Febreze + Gain Original Scent Formula
$92.48 (as of December 14, 2024 19:10 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
PICKID Christmas Shirts for Women: Merry Merry Merry Christmas T Shirt Xmas Tree Gift Tee Casual Holiday Tops
$17.99 (as of December 15, 2024 19:03 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
