Sanja Milosavljevic: Ok, so. Hi hello. My name is Sanja Milosavljevic and I’m going to be your host for today. And my very dear friend and my first guest is going to be Feng and she comes from China. So, Feng – how are you?

Feng Yu: Hi Sanja. I’m here in Shanghai and I’m very glad to be your guest to talk with you about this COVID thing and yes, I will answer your questions and you can ask me whatever you want to know about me, my country, my city or everything you are interested in.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Thank you so much. So – what do you do? Can you tell us something about yourself? What do you do, what is your educational background, and at the moment what’s your position at the company you work at?

Feng Yu: Ok, so my brief introduction: my name is Feng Yu, so you can call me Feng. And I’m the Managing Editor with the Global Times Shanghai News Room. The educational background. I graduated from Shanghai International Studies University majoring Communications and Journalism. And I also had participated in several certificator programs. One semester in the U.S. University of Missouri, also majoring in Journalism. And now my job is the newsroom editor and we cover especially the international news. The COVID news is also the focus for the current period.

Sanja Milosavljevic: And how is life in China after the…after the COVID. After the break of the COVID-19 virus? How does life in China looks now?

Feng Yu: Okay. I have to say that there are a lot of changes. Pre-COVID and post. Now, it’s not that accurate for us to say post-COVID period. But we can say that…China has…I think recovered from the COVID and people…our production are back to normality. Like…we usually say that the work resumption issue…right now we can say it’s something like more than 90% resumption of our work. That means that for majority of our people life also goes back to normalcy.

Sanja Milosavljevic: That’s interesting and it happened very fast, actually. So, did your government help you in any way to recover? Because in Serbia, once COVID started to spread, the economy- it looked like the economy stopped for a month or two. So, what was the situation in- in China? How- how…

Sanja Milosavljevic: I mean, it’s amazing if you managed to recover so fast, so were there any kinds of measures that your government, your state gave to – I don’t know – enterprises, companies, small-scale businesses. What was the- what was their attitude? How did they help the economy to recover?

Feng Yu: Ok-

Sanja Milosavljevic: Were there any kind of special measures, help in terms of giving money to some small business owners…or, how did it look like?

Feng Yu: Ok, I have to say that as you mentioned for the very beginning – one or two months – the economy, yes, was put to a full stop. Like nobody…it’s like to something unknown or unprecedented. We don’t know how to deal with this according to advice from the government or from the top…how to say, the…epidemiologists.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mhm?

Feng Yu: They think that social distancing is very important. Then, yes, at the very beginning we did not, we didn’t work. Every business – almost every business is stopped. But, we have to say that it’s the joint effort between the government and the policy makers and the general public, the Chinese people…when we are facing this epidemic…we followed advices from our government. Just like…it’s maybe hard for Western people to- to imagine. The whole city, we- the whole country, we the population of 1.4 billion people just stay at home. We didn’t go out. Then, it’s like the trend can be changed. We do not see- when we find this measure suggested like the self quarantine seems, the self-isolation is effective, then…we just follow it. And strictly obey it. I mean…here I would actually- there are always extreme cases, but the majority, majority of the general public just…did as required. Then, we find it’s quite effective. Then, people just…did that. And we find it’s great. We saw very…few or less cases and then, the policy makers know…it will be never a long-term policy to stop production. Then, we resume our production and work…just gradually, like step by step.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mhm.

Feng Yu: At very beginning, only very urgent departments can work. And then, step by step, it goes to the daily lives and it goes to the daily…and also, at the same time, a lot of efforts and measures were taken like disinfection-

Sanja Milosavljevic: Can you just…tell us what kind of measures? Are they something that we also practise here or do you have any special kind of measures? Like, we are practising social distancing and we are washing our hands, maybe…

Feng Yu: (laughter) Yeah, wash your hands!

Sanja Milosavljevic: More often than- (laughter) yeah- more often and-

Feng Yu: (laughter) Wear- wear masks!

Sanja Milosavljevic: Yes. So…do you have any other special measures that you take?

Feng Yu: Mmm…it’s like…we also call this a ‘closed loop’ like…how to say…it’s always closed. Previously we’re open, then it’s closed. For example…for example! Our office building. Right now, no foreign- no, not foreigners…no strangers, or people who do not work here. Can enter. At very beginning.
But now visitors or guests, for example interviewees can come. But, they have to have their temperature measured or screened and they have to write down their personal information, or contact information. And also I would have to say something very useful we have ‘the health code’.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Can you explain?

Feng Yu: Health code. Yeah, yeah, yeah. To, yeah, yeah, to me…it’s like a…it’s just a big data issue.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mhm?

Feng Yu: It’s- yeah- because we see all like- the information from your mobile phone. We have previously- we know the mobile phone carrier. They can know where your mobile phone has gone for the past – for example – two or three weeks.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mm.

Feng Yu: Then, it’s like…okay? According to your mobile phone they know you were – for example – I was in Sichuan province last week. Or, two weeks ago I was in Hangzhou. And then…in my…during my trip in Zhuzhai, upon arrival at the airport. They would like me to register, like, where do you from, where do you live. And where have you ever been to- in China, we also categorize as, okay, high-risk areas, middle-risk areas and low-risk areas. And right now, I don’t think there- I, I think a very, very small portion of places-for example, maybe Hong-Kong or maybe Xinxiang they are- if there are still confirmed cases of COVID-19, then these place maybe…but this is not big place, it’s just the very designated place. Like, maybe a street or maybe neighborhood.  If this place is defined or categorized as middle or high-level risk, then people from there are usually not allowed to leave their region. To prevent the possible spread of the virus. And people-

Sanja Milosavljevic: Tell me-

Feng Yu: …other side- yes?

Sanja Milosavljevic: Are people concerned about being actually…I can not say followed. But if somebody knows where I was and how long I stayed there and what are my movements during the- I don’t know, week or month…were there any concerns in general population? Or-

Feng Yu: They basically-

Sanja Milosavljevic: …just accepted- mhm?

Feng Yu: I- I got your meaning, yes. It’s about the privacy issue, right? Or the security issue.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Of course.

Feng Yu: Yes!

Feng Yu: Of course! For example…for example, take me as an example. I will be concerned why should you follow- or why should I be something like…monitored? Or, known by others that I was here or I was there? Previously maybe people would have this concern. But, as I mentioned at th- just now, the big data for us, for the general public we accept. Especially when we are facing public crisis as COVID-19. We know that the personal privacy can be put aside if we can protect the general public. So, for me I don’t hear…personally I don’t hear much objection towards this. Like, you know, as I said, there are extreme cases. People will lie, people will cheat. If it’s just lie, just cheat, we won’t hurt others no problem. But if because of your lying, because of your hide something, many more people or many more lives or properties will be damaged or, how to say, hurt. That’s something not good. Then I think that’s why, it’s the joint efforts that the majority public will follow. It’s- even if we sacrifice our privacy, no problem. I think I-

Sanja Milosavljevic: Oh okay.

Feng Yu: I represent – yes – then, because of this, even if you do not want to speak out, the system knows it. And if there is the possibility of the risk, you will be detected and measures can be taken. Then, including you, yourself and most of people around you are safe. So, I think it’s effective.

Sanja Milosavljevic: But what are the consequences if you don’t allow that big data? What are the consequences for the normal, ordinary person who doesn’t obey to that rule to just be followed? Are there any kind of consequences?

Feng Yu: It’s like, for example, if you lying? You-

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mhm?

Feng Yu: You went to high- for example, if you went to a middle or high level risk. Yes, you didn’t tell others. For example, maybe you drove your own car, you didn’t take a train. Then you do not need to be registered. That-

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mhm! Okay.

Feng Yu: That’s the way- yeah. And then- but, if- IF there are people around you…there are cases around you. There- and they found is that you may be the person who spread this virus…there will be consequences. Like from, administrative punishment to criminal punishment. Based on the consequences. How- how come- how bad results you have led to. If no bad results, maybe no problem. If…because of your reviewing or your lie other people lives are- were threatened. Then, there will be punishment, legal…you will be legally responsible for. Yes.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mhm. Thank you, thank you, that’s interesting. So, tell me…where were… do you remember where were you when COVID-19 started to spread? Do you- do you remember the-

Feng Yu: Yes!

Sanja Milosavljevic: …the moment when you heard the news? What was your reaction?

Feng Yu: It’s very- ye- it’s very…impressive one. Like in January. This January 29 for me is…is really…how to say… I accompanied my daughter to study in the University of Southern California…in January. I stayed in the States for five or six days. And then, she stayed in the States and I went back up to China. And then I began to- began my business trip to my headquarter in Beijing. That’s in the middle of January. Then, we can- heard…information. About this mysterious Sars-like disease. At that time it’s just like the…2003 Sars. We know it’s something infectious. We know- and there are rumours. People would like to say something really, really terrible happened, but at that time we had very limited information. And because of the sources of the information are different. So, we are confused. We don’t know- we know something happened. But we didn’t know how serious. What this…something is. And then-

Sanja Milosavljevic: So where did you go- mhm? Sorry!

Feng Yu: When I was- my last day in Beijing I think was January 21st. And I was going to be back to Shanghai with my colleague. Just around that- several days in the news room of our…newspaper in Beijing headquarter. We knew it’s something terrible. We had to- we had to take precautious measures. I remember very clearly – before we took our train from Beijing to Shanghai, I went to supermarket just around the corner of our newspaper. There are plenty of masks at very low price. So, I just bought 20. Because it’s very cheap and it’s like only…how to say…30 Chinese cents per piece. So it’s several cents of dollars or euros – very, very cheap. And- and I think…okay, because it’s something like instant or for one-use. So, I ask them how much – what’s the package. They told me okay, it’s 20 pieces per package. They ask me would you like to just buy one or buy a package? Then I said okay, give me a package because it’s just several yuan. Less than one euro, less than one dollars- one dollar. 20 masks. And I purchased a package and I shared with my colleague. We took the train, high-speed train from Beijing to Shanghai. That’s January 21st. Less than half passengers on the train wore masks. So, I think it’s very…it’s something very interesting like…at that period of time about half of people were cautious about it. And still another half didn’t take it serious. Because according to how many people were wearing masks. And then, when we went back to Shanghai, we had our like annual dinner party. It’s something like as a last dinner party of our last working day because the- Spring Festival, the most important festival in China was-

Sanja Milosavljevic: China…

Feng Yu: …on yeah, twenty- January 24 this year. So, on January 22nd Shanghai colleagues- we had a dinner party. We went to a Japanese restaurant. It’s like we still had a performance. We still had somebody like to- give some sentence for the year. It’s very- it’s still very regular. We think- we all think it’s safe, it’s no problem, it’s just regular last working day scene. But it turned out to be not that the case. Then, yeah- then I think on January 23rd, my family drove back to our home town for our Spring Festival. Usually we spend a week – for a whole week long holiday we will be in our hometown to be with our family members and just…eating, drinking or even gambling. It’s totally relaxation. But we find it’s like more and more information is revealed on our television and on our own personal social media accounts. Like the news and the rumors mixed. It’s like…it’s like we failed that…it’s terrible. Especially because I am a journalist. So I feel that-

Sanja Milosavljevic: So I’m very interesting- sorry, but I’m very interested to hear: you’re a journalist. You’re a representative of media. And media plays a great role in educating people or telling them what to do or how to behave in this situations like the COVID-19. So, were your media responsible enough? You’re- you’re mentioning rumours and the mix of rumors and media. So, who did you believe? Where did you turn to- for Information? And where do you find- who is- I don’t- I don’t want to say- I don’t want to use the word ‘responsible’, but…did anyone…approach to the problem seriously enough?

Feng Yu: I think yes. It’s like…because now information is anywhere. It’s not like in- okay, 20 years ago or 30 years ago you can hide something. Because you can’t hide anything. That’s what we- it’s like okay, the big data, just like I had said. Okay it’s big data, or it’s the flow of information. So, yes, as the journalist we try our best to approach people in Wuhan. We know that okay, that’s the first place. The first city in China that the COVID-19 broke out. We tried our best to approach residents, or medical staff in Wuhan. And also we tried our best as the media. We tried our best to approach experts, renowned experts. Ask their opinion – how do they judge. Yes, it’s really hard. Because…right now we can see okay, it’s infectious. It’s highly risky. At that time even the authority, the experts I think they are also split. Some people think it’s something very serious. Some people think it’s maybe a little bit more serious than flu. So, I do not want to say the responsibility of this guy or that expert. Giving the situation when you were faced with something you totally had no idea previously, it’s like…the- we had to experience the confusing period. And then, I would like to say that the medical- the top medical advisors and teams responded very quickly. When they got the- how to say- the- I’d like to make it simple, or brief like…when they got the scientifical gene or- analy- analysis of the COVID-19 of the Coronavirus issue, they made it public and they just made some very quick or smart and wise decisions like the lockdown of Wuhan. I think that’s…that’s issue like…people would like to say it’s double-edged. Because it’s like okay, you sacrificed Wuhan people. You saved people from other parts. It’s like if people or experts god knows that in Wuhan the situation is quite…uncontrollable. If people from Wuhan went to other places, then the virus would be spread to all other places. Then, I think they made a decision to lock down Wuhan on January 25th. That’s a very strong signal to people, I think around the world that it’s- it must be something really, really serious if China took this measure. And …yes it cost a panic for us. It’s something like a…we don’t know what really happened and we don’t know what happened there will be related to us in elsewhere.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Did you panic? Your friends, your family, did you panic? Did you have that kind…

Feng Yu: Yes.

Sanja Milosavljevic: …sense of anxiety, of not knowing of what’s going to happen tomorrow or in a month. Did you- because here, people in Serbia, we had basically mixed feelings. Some of us had anxiety issues…how was in China? How was it with you?

Feng Yu: Exactly the same. Because we don’t know- it’s something, you know, the more mysterious the virus is the more panic people will feel. Also, anxiety. The same. Exactly the same. We don’t know. For example, it’s like – we don’t know whether you are safe. Whether the people around us are safe. For example – I don’t know whether my husband has contacted somebody maybe dangerous. It’s like…you are living in panic. Yes, that’s the- that’s the stage we experience. I have to admit we are afraid, we are panic and also, we try to know what really happened and there’s more we want to find information online, on our social media. So more we feel depressed or oppressed.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Yeah, it’s the same here. So, you said that the…China economy recovered, or 90% of economy and enterprises recovered. But what about the small businesses. Did they change, did they transform? Here in Serbia we are witnessing that digitalization is a very important part of developing our businesses right now, so…how did…how did your small or medium-sized businesses transform? Do you have any information? Did they change any of their values, their attitudes towards their consumers or buyers? Can you- can you feel- can you see the change in running the business- in business models, basically?

Feng Yu: Sure, sure. Because as you mentioned, yes, the medium, or small-sized businesses are affected very, very…how to say…severely by the COVID-19. Usually the business- the small businesses have very limited cash flow. They have to pay something like okay, the rental, the utility and especially the…human resources. Because…of course they hire some people and when there are no business, how much do you pay your colleagues or your employees? A lot of problem. Yes. And then we had-

Sanja Milosavljevic: How did you manage? How- how did they manage to overcome those obstacles? Do they- how- how did they change? How did they transform?

Feng Yu: Okay, yes. It’s like also joint efforts. Like, the government tried their best to persuade the property owners to reduce or even exempt the rental fees. Because in biggest place like Shanghai or Beijing it’s quite huge amount of money. Because you do not have your business, businesses are shut, why- if the landlord still would like to ask you to pay the same as for example in November or in December, that’s…unbearable. Then, one point is that the government tried the best. Then, in China we have state-owned property and privately owned properties. So one of the advantages is that all of the state-owned property owners were required to exempt or reduce for example three months of rental to their businesses, or the…yes. That’s very, very important for the survival of the small businesses. But if the property owner…he is a private owner. Like, I’m not state-backed. It’s my own- own money. I purchased this three-story building. Then, the government would like to encourage friendly negotiation between the landlord and the rents- tenants. So…I know that…there are, like…good negotiations because the landlord also know it’s hard time for everybody. If I would like you to claim the same amount of money from you, you won’t survive. You’ll leave maybe next month. And if the situation goes for the following many months, no one will be here. So, why not I be kind enough – okay, you pay, for example, maybe I will give you 30% or 40% or even higher percentage, something like good policies. Yes. That’s- that’s something…I know that in big cities and in small cities, yes, there are good agreement between the two sides. So, that’s one point. And the other point as you mentioned it’s something…people also had help you and the businesses they also tried their best to survive. Like for example – many people began the livestreaming business.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Mhm! Interesting!

Feng Yu: It’s like we had to- yeah, it’s like you are staying at home. You couldn’t go out, you dare not go out. We couldn’t- previously I purchased my coat and my shoes maybe in a shopping mall. But I have lot of shoes- if I am the seller, I have lot of shoes or clothes. But nobody will come to my shop. How can I do? I just would like to- okay, now, I will try to find a lot of live streaming platforms in China. This is the only indus- mi- no, not the only- this is one of the industries that made a lot of money. It’s like okay, during crises challenges and opportunities exist together. So yes like, it’s a…live streaming platforms and live streamers, like okay? I try to sell my coat, my- whatever products I have, online. I would like to show them just in front of- just like what we are doing now – in front of a video- just a mobile phone. And as…yes…you show them and you tell them the function of your products. Or if it’s a service you still can- then people- because people still need daily necessities. So,

Sanja Milosavljevic: Oh, of course.

Feng Yu:…people can order online. Yes, so…that’s the very important method of transformation Chinese people. Like, including officials from remote villages help…to promote, for example, maybe potatoes or watermelons or grapes. And then, I think very important issue is that you need the support of logistics.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Of course! That’s my next question!

Feng Yu: Yeah, yeah, yeah. That’s the trick- yeah-

Sanja Milosavljevic: Because that’s money-consuming- logistics is money consuming and time-consuming to organize it. Do you have any example of- good example of-

Feng Yu: Yes!

Sanja Milosavljevic: Can you share?

Feng Yu: Yes, yeah…I think there is one career during the epidemic that…wins – all the staff from that industry wins the heart of the whole country. The delivery man. And the courier guys. Because when we are staying at home, either buyer or seller – I just click on my screen. I make my order, and then? How can I get my stuff? My goods? My food? A large number- I think a lot of delivery men and couriers. They…were still on their position. They work, okay? They got your- got the commodities. The shoes, or clothes from the seller. And then, the whole industry didn’t stop. That’s something really, really amazing. The whole industry didn’t stop. Then, I can get my issue. Maybe before I got it in three days, or in two days. Now – maybe in one week – but I still can get that. Maybe a little bit expensive, but that’s the cost we can afford. So, yes…I think that’s something really, really important. This is the chain or the knot that make the ends the selling and the buying possible. To- to something like okay…at last it’s like in this circle – you get to here, you get to there. Otherwise it’s like, you never know- you know you have this supply, you have a demand, but they couldn’t meet. So, yes, this is very important. I think people say that, okay, previously I think maybe they are not…that plight that they are ‘rudely treating my commodities’ but now they pe- it’s like the comments from the public. I appreciate their efforts. They are something like okay – in the wind, in the rain they are knocking at our door and they put our stuff at my door. Yeah so that’s very interesting.

Sanja Milosavljevic: It is. So, we..we are almost at the end of our conversation I would say. I would have just one more question for you. Can you tell us something about ladies who run businesses in China? Is it usual for women to start their own businesses? Are they focused on tech startups or food industry or any other kind of industry? Any other branch of industry? So, that will be the question. And for the end you- I would like you to…just send a message for people in Serbia.

Feng Yu: Okay!

Sanja Milosavljevic: And all over the world! Not just for Serbia but all over the world!

Feng Yu: Thank you. Yeah, so…first of all, I would like to say entrepreneurship is given to distinguish – okay, it’s a woman or it’s a man. And because of the COVID-19 I would have to say it’s not that bad for women, because family members don’t go out that frequently. So, when we are home office, when we are avoiding crowding, yes, we- we have more time to be with our family members. At the same time you can- also- you can still focus on your job. You can communicate with your clients or your partners or business friends. So, don’t just think as a negative or the bad side of the COVID-19. Still there are something that can give us hope and yes we can do these two things together. We- we- I don’t go out to meet our clients, or I do not have so many business trips. So I think there is not a preferential case for women or for men. Most of us are just…equal. We can try to realize our dreams. This is one point.
And the other point is as you said is that the signal or the information to people in Serbia and also  the people in the world: I hope that the COVID-19 can pass very soon. Not too late. Because it’s really, really affected everybody’s life- everyone’s life. Even at the cost of the family members of many of us around the world. It’s a sad thing. It’s a never good thing. And another signal or attitude I would like to express is that…we all know the first COVID-19 outbreak appeared in China. But, we- as a Chinese I would actually express that it doesn’t mean China is origin of the virus, or China, or Chinese people invented or spread the virus. I think…scientists and epidemiologists will tell the truth not too late. So, we Chinese people, we suffered a lot from this disease because we are the first country to have this outbreak. Without any model or example for us to follow. We try our best to curb or control it quite effectively. And then, we share all of our experiences with the world. So, we hope that the whole world can work together. Don’t politicize this virus. The- like, okay human beings still need to look forward. And, yes, we will have- the whole world will have the vaccine. Just later or soon, or for example the efficiency maybe – this is of the very top quality, this is- but maybe was in half a year. It’s over. But, we don’t know next time what kind of common disaster we will face again.

Sanja Milosavljevic: Thank you Feng, thank you so much. Thank you for your time. Thank you for staying in your office for longer hours because it’s a six hours difference between Belgrade and Shanghai. So, thank you for your time and thank you for actually wanting to participate in this project. I’m sending you love, hugs and kisses from Belgrade. And I will definitely talk to you soon after the filming and after the shooting.

Feng Yu: Okay! Thank you also! And also thank your team and your staff, to work on this program. To encourage the people around the world. Yes, let’s hope together it will be better! Thank you!

Sanja Milosavljevic: Yes, I hope so. I hope so too! Cao! Thank you so much!

Feng Yu: Cao! Bye!