3.

3 Theme

The theme based on the video that we have chosen is market growth as the video talks about
the increase in traffic, business and recreational activities. This could easily be seen in the
reality that we are currently living in. Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, the economy
is improving. During the pandemic, economic growth has generally exceeded consensus
expectations, while households and businesses have maintained a surprising level of activity
and spending despite social distancing. The increase in economic output was due, in part, to the
massive legislative response to both the pandemic and the human hardship it caused.

China’s economic recovery is outperforming initial forecasts and is stronger than expected only
a few quarters ago. This is primarily due to the bold and coordinated economic policy response
implemented at the national level, which, combined with high vaccination rates, has enabled us
to lay a solid foundation for recovery. Fortunately, we are witnessing a turning point in China's
economic situation, with clear signs of recovery. China was the first major economy to recover
from the impact of the coronavirus, posting an economic growth rate of 2.3% in 2020. China's
economy contracted 6.8% in the first quarter of 2020 after the coronavirus shut down large parts
of the country, but the next three quarters delivered positive growth, offset by 6.5% growth in the
last three months of the year 2020. Beijing has set an economic growth target of "more than
6%" for 2021, with a record growth rate of 18.3% in the first quarter, followed by a growth of
7.9% in the second quarter. Manufacturing and fixed asset investments have also recovered
from the effects of the coronavirus in 2020.

Most importantly, we can rely on the unique Chinese system to support a full economic
recovery. As has been proven time and time again over the last few decades, the Chinese
system can always win if you focus on a task. Meanwhile, the relentless entrepreneurial spirit of
the Chinese business community knows exactly what it takes to not only win back the lost
market but also to find new opportunities in times of crisis.

3.4 Conflict
With the easing of curbs, Beijing and other main cities have seen an increase in traffic, business
and recreational activities and this may lead to an increase in cases of covid. Our society is
becoming more complacent when it comes to SOP compliance. Wearing a mask is regarded as
a tedious task by some, who conveniently forget to wear one or bring it with them when they
leave the house. Some people say they dislike wearing masks because they feel suffocated.
Given the gravity of the pandemic that has engulfed the entire world, their excuses appear
flimsy.

With everything going back to normal, business operating as usual and travelling not as strict as
they once were, people seem to have fallen into a false sense of comfort despite the ongoing
pandemic and this careless attitude can lead to new clusters which bring us back to where we
were once before. The virus is here to stay, but the worst part is that it is not similar to the
regular flu. It is highly contagious and usually fatal to the elderly and the sick. The issue with
Covid-19 is that it is contagious and can be difficult to detect. Another issue that is rarely
discussed is that in many cases, the fight does not end even after the virus has been eradicated
from the body. Many people will suffer long-term consequences, and some will be rendered
disabled.

Although it is great that the control measures have been eased to give way for businesses,
schools and more to operate, as usual, it is also important for people to take extra precautions
by limiting their movement as well as following the usual control measure implemented by the
government such as wearing masks, quarantine yourself when you are facing symptoms of
COVID 19 and always make sure you wash your hands after touching things that are often
being touched.

6.0 Statement of reflection

Identifying the theme and conflict based on the video we have chosen has taught me a little bit
about the situation in China during the pandemic era. It has also made me realize how different
it was between countries, be it economic, system and control measures that have been
implemented by the Chinese government and Malaysia. Not only that, but the assigned video
assignment has also taught me to observe the video that we have chosen layer by layer to
identify the things that we mostly turn a blind eye to.

Reference
Barnes, M., Bauer, L., & Edelberg, W. (2022, March 9). Economic Recovery from the COVID-19
Pandemic. Brookings. Retrieved December 14, 2022, from
https://www.brookings.edu/research/11-facts-on-the-economic-recovery-from-the-covid-19-
pandemic/

Cong, W. (2022, December 10). China Poised for a Spectacular Economic Recovery. Global
Times. Retrieved December 14, 2022, from
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202212/1281566.shtml