In early 2025, reports of a surge in human metapneumovirus (HMPV) cases in China sparked global attention, with social media amplifying fears of a “new virus” overwhelming hospitals.
Overview:
- CGTN Article (January 4, 2025): Titled “China sees rise in HMPV infections, but it’s not a ‘new virus’.” This piece acknowledges a rise in cases since mid-December 2024 but emphasizes HMPV’s long-known status and mild nature.
- Global Times Article (January 8, 2025): Titled “HMPV ‘not a new virus’; China’s respiratory infection within usual range, says WHO.” It counters foreign media reports, citing the World Health Organization (WHO) to assert normal winter levels and blame exaggeration on Western outlets.
These articles were published amid viral social media posts falsely claiming HMPV as a novel threat leading to a state of emergency in China—a claim debunked by Reuters and WHO.
Chinese state media’s coverage is largely factual but selectively presented. Here’s a breakdown of major claims:
Claim 1: HMPV is Not a New Virus
- Article Statements: Both articles state HMPV has circulated globally for over 60 years, discovered in 2001, and causes common cold-like symptoms.
- Verdict: True. HMPV was identified in 2001, but serological evidence shows human exposure dating back at least 70 years. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms it’s a seasonal respiratory virus, not novel. No misinformation here, but this counters viral posts labeling it “new.”
Claim 2: The Surge in Cases is Within Normal Winter Ranges
- Article Statements: CGTN notes most cases are mild and resolve in a week; Global Times cites WHO data showing hospital utilization lower than 2024 and no emergency declarations.
- Verdict: Mostly True. WHO’s January 7, 2025, report confirms increased respiratory infections (including HMPV, influenza, and RSV) align with seasonal patterns, based on China CDC data up to December 29, 2024. China’s National Disease Control and Prevention Administration reported no unusual outbreaks or overwhelmed systems. However, northern provinces saw hospital overcrowding, which articles minimize without quantifying.
Claim 3: No Specific Treatment or Vaccine Exists; Focus on Supportive Care
- Article Statements: Both recommend rest, hydration, masks, and monitoring vulnerable groups (children, elderly).
- Verdict: Accurate. No approved antiviral or vaccine for HMPV exists, per WHO, CDC, and Chinese experts. Treatment is symptomatic, as stated.
Claim 4: Foreign Media Exaggerated the Situation
- Article Statements: Global Times accuses CNN, BBC, and The Washington Post of drawing unfounded COVID-19 parallels and hyping hospital overloads.
- Verdict: Partially True but Biased. Some Western media did report surges, but Reuters fact-checked viral claims of a “new virus emergency” as missing context. Chinese articles omit their own role in initial reporting via CDC alerts, framing the narrative as Western hysteria.
Overall Fact Check Rating: Mostly Factual (80% Accurate). No outright fakes, but omissions create a skewed picture. Sources like WHO and China CDC support claims, but selective quoting avoids full context on regional strains.
Detecting Bias and Manipulation
Chinese state media, including CGTN and Global Times, often serve as tools for the Communist Party’s narrative control. This coverage exhibits classic propaganda techniques:
1. Downplaying Risks (Minimization Propaganda)
- Both articles repeatedly stress HMPV’s “mild” nature and “common” status, comparing it to a cold while barely mentioning potential complications like pneumonia in children. For instance, CGTN quotes experts warning against “self-diagnosis” but doesn’t detail case numbers (China CDC reported rising positivity rates from 2.2% in October 2024 to higher in December).
- Propaganda Element: This reassures the domestic audience, preventing panic similar to early COVID-19. It aligns with government policy to maintain stability, as seen in post-COVID health messaging. By noting a U.S. surge in April 2024, it implies “this happens everywhere,” deflecting scrutiny from China’s healthcare system.
2. Blaming Foreign Media (Deflection and Scapegoating)
- Global Times explicitly names Western outlets as “exaggerating” and linking to COVID-19, portraying them as anti-China agitators. CGTN subtly implies public concern stems from “speculation about a new pathogen.”
- Propaganda Element: This is “whataboutism” and anti-Western framing, a staple in Chinese media to discredit critics. It ignores how Chinese social media (Weibo, WeChat) amplified fears first, and state media’s delayed response fueled rumors. This builds nationalistic sentiment, echoing broader narratives like “foreign forces smearing China.”
3. Promoting Government Competence (Self-Glorification)
- Articles highlight improved detection post-COVID, sentinel hospitals, and “timely, transparent” reporting by authorities. Global Times quotes Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun affirming transparency.
- Propaganda Element: This portrays the Chinese government as proactive and superior, contrasting with implied Western incompetence. It cites WHO approvals to lend credibility, but omits criticisms of China’s early COVID data opacity. Experts quoted are all domestic (e.g., China CDC’s Zheng Lishu), creating an echo chamber.
No evidence of fabricated data, but the framing selectively uses facts to shape perception: HMPV as a non-issue, foreign media as the villain, and Beijing as the hero.
How the Narrative is Shaped
Framing refers to how information is presented to influence interpretation. In these articles:
- Positive vs. Negative Framing: Risks are framed negatively only for vulnerable groups, while overall tone is reassuring (“not a new threat”). Foreign media gets negative framing as “sensationalist.”
- Source Credibility: Heavy reliance on official sources (WHO, China CDC, state-affiliated experts) builds authority, sidelining independent voices.
- Omission Bias: No mention of exact case surges (e.g., China CDC’s 2024 data showed HMPV as 8th most common pathogen, but positivity rose). Regional hospital strains in Beijing and Shanghai are glossed over.
- Emotional Appeal: Appeals to caution (e.g., “monitor children”) foster trust in guidance, while nationalism counters “foreign panic.”
This framing aligns with China’s “Great Firewall” ecosystem, where state media controls the narrative to align with Party goals: social harmony and international image management.
A Case Study in Subtle State Propaganda
Chinese media’s HMPV coverage is factually sound but laced with propaganda to minimize domestic alarm and deflect blame abroad. While avoiding outright fakes, the biased framing risks public complacency during a genuine seasonal spike. For balanced views, cross-reference with international sources like WHO and Reuters. This analysis underscores ongoing concerns about Chinese state media’s role in information warfare—stay vigilant against selective truths.
