Li Wenliang: Death of Wuhan doctor sparks outpouring of anger

BBC.

The death of a Chinese doctor who tried to issue warnings about the deadly coronavirus outbreak has sparked an unprecedented level of public anger and grief in China.

Li Wenliang died after contracting the virus himself while treating patients.

Last December he had sent out a message to fellow medics warning of a virus he thought looked like Sars.

Instead he was told by police to “stop making false comments” and was investigated for “spreading rumours”.

News of his death was first met with an intense outpouring of grief on Chinese social media site Weibo – but this quickly turned into anger. 

There had already been accusation against the government of downplaying the severity of the virus and attempting to keep news of it secret. Dr Li’s death has fuelled this further and triggered a conversation about the lack of freedom of speech in China. 

The Chinese government had previously admitted to “shortcomings and deficiencies” in its response to the virus which has now killed 636 people and infected 31,161 in mainland China.