HMPV: Political Weapon or Health Threat?

Current media reports on a mysterious respiratory disease spreading in China evoke memories of the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic. However, this heightened attention reflects the post-pandemic world’s increased sensitivity to outbreaks. While vigilance is essential, it can sometimes lead to exaggerated perceptions of threat, particularly for diseases that are well understood by medical experts. However, looking at international media provides a broader perspective—could the West, with its strained relations with China, be using the virus to further isolate China geopolitically? In other words, is the virus being weaponised against China?

As of the 13th of Jan. 2024, Taiwan has elected a new president, Lai Ching-te, a member of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) nationalist party. Despite Taiwan being a relatively small country, who is only recognized as an independent state by 13 countries, its elections will have global ramifications. Chinese claims over the strait of Taiwan are nothing new, however, having a new president who has been dubbed as a “trouble maker” by Xi Jinping could act as the initial spark of a new war in 2024.